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The How-Not-To Guide To Parenting And Marriage

The How-Not-To Guide To Parenting and Marriage is a collection of humorous short stories written by a well-intentioned, but definitely far from perfect father and husband.

Inspired by actual events, and then exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness, these tales of triumph and woe offer a hilarious, but certainly unique perspective on the parenting and marriage war front.

The perfect bathroom book.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2013

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About the author

Jon Ziegler

9 books1 follower
I've never really considered myself a writer. I was always told I was supposed to be an artist. Instead, I began a career as a tree trimmer and a tower climber, and have been doing one or the other for the last twenty years.
But over those twenty years, I noticed that I had developed a knack at making people laugh with my ridiculous imagination. Whenever something happened that was funny, I would begin imagining scenarios that would make that funny situation even funnier, and people seemed to find it genuinely funny.
One day on a whim, I started writing down all the funny little stories I had created in my brain. And I found plenty of inspiration for new ones from my wife and two mischievous daughters. I put them all on a blog called "The How-Not-To Guide To Parenting and Marriage", and again, people seemed to find it funny. I enjoyed writing on my site for several years until my life got too busy to keep coming up with new material, and I stopped posting.
Years later, while recovering from multiple shoulder surgeries, I began to resurrect some of the stories and put them on a Facebook page and self-published book, both also known as "The How-Not-Guide To Parenting and Marriage”.
I still have a hard time thinking of myself as a writer. I feel more like a funny guy who just happens to write it all down. I guess as long as people still seem to get some sort of enjoyment out of it, I will continue to pursue it, regardless of whether it feels like I am a writer or not.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
23 (37%)
4 stars
17 (27%)
3 stars
15 (24%)
2 stars
4 (6%)
1 star
3 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Zoe Schoppa.
145 reviews9 followers
September 13, 2014
I must submit a very STRONG warning that I recommend you heed before reading this book:

Should you have a have a migraine and a sore throat that has left you in your room miserable and bored do not, I repeat, DO NOT pick up this book and begin reading. This book will cause extreme bouts of laughter which will not help your head and sore throat at all (although it will have a positive effect upon your heart). I speak through wisdom gained by experience! Don't do it....I'm serious!

Great for all parents who need a light-hearted break!

For all of my reviews visit Blessed and Bewildered
Profile Image for Shannon.
961 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2016
01/14: Kindle Daily Deal: Loved it! Esp. the story about the hornets and the police thinking he was a wife-beater.

Amazon Book Description:
The How-Not-To Guide To Parenting and Marriage is a collection of offbeat, humorous stories written by a well-intentioned, but definitely far from perfect father and husband. Although the book has elements that nearly all parents and married couples can identify with, the author also delivers a hilariously unique perspective that definitely sets it apart from the usual "funny things my kids said and did" kind of humor.

Stories from the collection have been featured on The Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop website, and several popular blogs including Sweatpants and Coffee, Mamapotamus, Fascinations of a Vanilla Housewife, Mommy's Playbook, We are the Dino Family, and The Brown Girl with Long Hair.

So if side-splitting parenting and marriage humor is what you are seeking, dive into The How-Not-To Guide To Parenting and Marriage, and you might just be the next person to say, "I laughed until I had tears running down my cheeks!"
Profile Image for Sheila Good.
Author 1 book13 followers
June 1, 2014
This book kept me eagerly turning the page. Although my children are all grown, I well remember the days, emotions, and sometimes havoc small children can evoke while going about the task of parenting them. It is a tough job as the author's book demonstrates with glee.

The author's voice put me right in each scene and I found myself laughing out loud. I had no doubt imagining what a great father he must be. The stories had me reminiscing about not only my own children's childhood, but mine as well. You'll find this a fun and delightful read with a hint of truth about parenting and marriage, even if you don't won't to admit it.
Profile Image for Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews.
3,066 reviews213 followers
March 26, 2014
humorous blog posts assembled in one place. I laughed at quite a few of these because I can imagine how it is with 2 kids and being the only male in a house full of women. I'm not sure which one was my favorite but the one that sticks out in my mind is when he ducked to miss his daughter vomiting and it hit the fan....and then the entire room. Or maybe when he thought he would do the laundry while taking a shower. Or when his wife had him model the dress so she could see what it looked like from the back.
Profile Image for Richard Lloyd.
32 reviews5 followers
December 21, 2013
Great read. Thanks Tammy for the suggestion! Plenty of short stories that make you roar with laughter!
Profile Image for Kay.
451 reviews9 followers
December 26, 2013
Some of the blogs were funny, but the punctuation errors drove me crazy!
Profile Image for Cynthia Ziegler.
1 review
January 9, 2014
Don't want to miss out on this one! you can read it in a sitting or over several days. You will literally LOL!
7 reviews10 followers
January 12, 2014
the short stories sometimes dragged on but overall the experiences were very relatable. my favorite part was the serious chapter at the end.
125 reviews
January 24, 2014
He has written a book of funny experiences as a parent and husband. Experiences I can relate to even though I am now a grandfather. He ends on a serious note, one every parent should read.
Profile Image for Gemma.
907 reviews35 followers
February 28, 2014
Some funny stuff. This needed a good proof-reading. Apostrophes are NOT used to make words plural! This happened on nearly every page. It set my teeth on edge.
Profile Image for Samantha Parrish.
121 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2014
Cute

good book. funny stories, and some really sweet ones. good message about the importance of family and kids and to love them al ways.
Profile Image for Eddie.
789 reviews8 followers
April 4, 2025
Truthfully, I thought it really was a parenting/marriage book. Quickly found it wasn't and really I didn't find it all that funny. It was alright, but it seemed a little forced and somewhat predictable.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews