Wow, You Look Terrible!: How to Parent Less and Live More

by Danny Ricker

From Jimmy Kimmel Live! co-head writer Danny Ricker comes a self-help manifesto for parents on the brink of despair, guaranteed to help you reclaim the three things you lost when you had your time, your money, and your mind.

You used to be a person. A real one—with hobbies, expendable income, and sex that was at least semi-annual. But then you had kids, and the more you became a parent, the less you became yourself. You love your children deeply, but most days you feel like nothing more than a butler in sweatpants. That ends today. (Just the second part. You can still love your kids.)

Wow, You Look Terrible! is a beacon of hope to beleaguered parents across the globe. The revolutionary child-rearing techniques within will teach you how
Save money on soccer by having your child join a cultThrow your kid’s entire birthday party in 17 minutes flatGet shredded abs while pulling your toddler out of a bounce houseRid your life of the Easter Bunny once and for allAnd much, much more!
With a foreword by late-night scamp Jimmy Kimmel, and brimming with perfect advice, harrowing tales, quizzes, charts, scams, schemes, swear words, and bold-faced lies that will tip the balance of power back in your favor, Wow, You Look Terrible! will make you a bona fide human again by setting you on the righteous path of parenting less and living more.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

DANNY RICKER is a TV writer, producer, author, and nine-time Emmy nominee who currently serves as Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer at “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

His other notable writing credits include The Oscars (2017, 2018, 2023, & 2024), The Primetime Emmys (2012, 2016, & 2020), and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Danny’s debut book “Wow, You Look Terrible!” is being released in April 2025 by Hyperion Avenue and Disney Publishing Worldwide.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I would give this book to a newly married couple, they might decide not to have children! But it is a great book for a couple who have a child in the toddler age. It is book with survival tactics of the unspoken dark moments of child rearing written with a truckload of humor, sometimes dark, sometimes uproarious!! A few times i was laughing so loud that my husband came to check on me.

There are solutions that are diabolical that I would never try but then there some very doable ones like purgatory cabinet.

The purgatory cabinet is where you secretly place an item that you want vanished. An example is a particularly obnoxious toy that someone gave your child. Think of one that makes a earth shattering noise every time your child pushes a button. When the child is not in the room. You sneak the toy out of the room and put in the purgatory cabinet. It stays there until the child demands it back. Now if you are lucky and the child does not notice that it is gone after a week is gone, you can dispose of it in the manner that you choose. I wish I had this tip when I had my son!!

There are tips on how you can escape, especially helpful if you have two or more children. Sometimes you need me time and time to decompress. My example in this case is when my cousin gave a birthday party for her twins. She invited sixteen children, something that I would never do! She organized activities, and to minimize the mess, she provided birthday cake but no ice cream. (Boo, I wanted ice cream!) Every time was fine until they left the table then there was total chaos. High noise, high amount of movement and everything going on everywhere. I was invited to assist with the party but my face must have reflected my inner panic. iIt was too much sensory overload. She wisely took me and three other children who were reacting in the same way to the living room. There we settled down in relief and I read some children's books to them and had a peaceful discussion with them.

So sometimes you need an escape when you are a parent or an assistant to a parent.

I highly recommend this book for survival tips for parenthood.

[Sarah Broas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny! I’m past the toddler stage of parenting so this was less relevant for me but it’s a really fun read for those that are in that phase of life!!

[Mishon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amusing, tongue-in-cheek book. Having two young children myself I found it entertaining in a hyperbolic way.

[Jesse Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. It also solidifies my choice to never have children.

[Heather Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

laugh out loud funny

[Tishya Anand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am excited to give every parent I know unsolicited advice. The end made me cry though (in a good way!)

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and then felt comforted knowing I'm not alone.

[TL Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parenting comedy. You can read in short sections and enjoy little vignettes of insanity and humor. I don't even have kids, but I work with them, and I found this amusing.

[Amanda McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parenting isn’t easy—let’s be honest, it’s a test of patience for even the most seasoned parents. This book nails the chaos of child-rearing with a humorous and satirical twist that every parent will relate to. I found myself laughing out loud more than once, especially at the author’s witty "solutions" to common parenting dilemmas. It’s the kind of book that’s perfect for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, but honestly, any parent would appreciate it year-round. It’s a quick, enjoyable read, balancing dark humor with just the right touch of levity. Highly recommend it!