When Parents Worry: The Real Calls Doctors Receive...from Moles That Seem to Move to Funny-Smelling Poo

by Henry Anderson

A bird pooped in my daughter's mouth yesterday. Do we need to worry about anything?

Sure, kids may say and do the darndest things, but concerned parents definitely take it to a whole other level. While these moms and dads certainly mean well, it's hard for anyone (even a pediatrician) not to dissolve into laughter when they hear weird and unexpected questions

Betty ate cheese from a mousetrap from which the mouse also ate. Is that anything to worry about?

Should my eight-year-old wear boxers or briefs?

I dropped off my son's urine sample in a Tupperware container. Can you please give it back when you're done?

From concerns about pickle-shaped poos to the risks of sitting on Santa's lap, Dr. Henry Anderson, a pediatrician in private practice, has heard it all—and now you can, too.

Genres: Humor

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2012

Reviews

[Rossy · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars
Only a few "calles" were funny, such as: "My daughter’s stool is very green. I think she may have swallowed a crayon, though I’m not sure. Please call to advise." and "Michelle has something blue in her ear. (It was ice cream sprinkles.)", but others made me cringe at the parents' dumbness! How could they be so clueless? Poor Doctors, really...
"When we were in the office yesterday, you said Sheryl should be better by Sunday. Will that be in the morning or the afternoon, because she has an audition?".
"My son was given a very strong hug. I’m very concerned."

[Susan Rodgers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book that gave me quite a few chuckles and a few laugh out loud moments. As an expecting mother I hope I'm able to control my paranoia and worry a little better than the parents in this book did.

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overview: We all know that people need doctors. And parents seem to need a whole force on call. What a parent will call about seems to be more focused on the birth order of the child that he/she is worried about.

Likes: you do need a good sense of humor as a parent. Hopefully some of the questioners will look back at these and giggle.

Conclusion: Parents-to-be might take this book a little more seriously than the more seasoned parents. Just know that you have help on this journey.

[Powers Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and funny

I would have given it give stars of he would have included some of his answers. I would have really liked the answer to the Viagra question! Lol. Still a funny book, just kind of left curious.

[Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute collection of one liners from parents calling in for their children.

[Nicole Hadenfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny! Parents, you aren't alone in your concerns. Check it out for a good laugh.

[Aremae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to laugh at others’ stupidity. And a little worried that these people have kids.

[Megan Palasik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was quite hilarious! The introduction is simply one page explaining that the author is a pediatrician and these are from phone calls he received over the years. It then dives into 150+ pages of quotes (1-2 per page) that parents of children (infants to teens) have left on an answering machine (I'm assuming). I laughed out loud quite a few times.

I look at this book kind of like a quote book like "don't sweat the small stuff" but much more funny. I would think it would be a funny gift for a baby shower, new parent, veteran parents, or even new grandparents. It's not something I would read more than once a year or so and it certainly doesn't take long to get through. However, it's light and funny and might even be something for parents to keep around and pull out when they're having a bad day just so they can read a few and think, "At least that's not me."

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ridiculously funny!

[Lau King Hua · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the quote that make me LOL. We would like to bring Veronica into the office so that you can watch her eat peanut butter for the first time and make sure she’s okay.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My preschooler kept wondering why mommy was bursting out in laughter. This is a quick, enjoyable, often funny read. I do wonder what his response was to some of these parents.