Why Did Nobody Tell Me?: Home Truths Every Parent Needs to Know

by Justine Roberts

Do 'milestones' feel like millstones? Does the thought ofwaiting at the school gate make you more nervous than yourfive-year-old? Do you find yourself sometimes tempted to just let your childrenfight to the death? And does flicking through childcare books leave you feelingmostly bewildered and blamed? Then TheMumsnet Rules are what you have been waiting for...Drawn from the message boards of mumsnet.com and based onthe assumption that if thousands of parents have found a piece of advice to behelpful then you can be pretty sure it's worth knowing, this book shapes thatcollective wisdom into dozens of dos and don'ts that will lead you through theminefield that is twenty-first-century parenting.From tantrums to teenagers, parasites to parties,competitive parenting to choosing the right school, and heed thegurus

Do cut yourchildren's hair off

Do bribe andcorrupt them through exams

Don't let themdress like a Ho

Do be hypocriticalabout swearing

and Never buy them a guinea pig ...

...The MumsnetRules will arm you with the insight that usually only comes withhindsight (as well as teaching you how to make a very classy Easter bonnet outof a KFC bucket).

417 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 6, 2011

Reviews

[Reb Braunton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate Mumsnet. The thought of it makes me clench my entire bottom with anxiety. I think it truly suffers from the biggest blight of the online socials - the anonymity - that helps us forget we are talking to, and about, actual human beings.

So when this book landed on my desk at work, I had to have a peep... Is it as bad as the website has become?

In short: no, it's not, and I was perhaps a little daft to think so. After all, books have a range of resources that the average keyboard warrior does not. The tone is a lot kinder, the references from the Mumsnet community are well-chosen, and the points of each mini-chapter (set out like a collection of blog posts or short articles) are persuasive rather than commandeering.

There were a few sentiments I didn't agree with - I appreciate that the tone of the book is for Mums (and other parents/carers) not to bend over backwards to meet their child/ren's every whim and expectation - but I don't approve of the self-deprecation some parenting blogs subscribe to, as I think it can accidentally promote unawareness of one's mental wellbeing. Luckily there isn't much mention of those practices in this book.

Worth a read - just don't visit the website!?

[Sam Wilkinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stay away from this bullying and trolling website and its toxic forums.
If you look at reviews, many people experienced the same thing as myself: name calling, put downs and ganging up on people. This has been an issue for a number of people not just me.
The harassment was beyond belief and I was shocked. I hope the police shuts down this site. Please don’t t buy the book- please don’t sponsor bullying!

[Theo Kokonas · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've got kids this book is for you. It puts it all into perspective, sets your attitude to a realistic level, puts your mind at ease. There are plenty of parenting books out there but this should be in top 5 to get through. I found it particularly invaluable with my childrens' toddler travails.
Highly recommended.