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The Funny Side: Relatable Anecdotes from a Once-Frazzled Parent
Remember to laugh. Start with a smile and let it grow. Parenting is a full-time career with a boss who is a mini-version of you but who has an unstable mood and zero conformity to social and societal norms.
It’s priceless, all of it.
From heartwarming to smiles and laughter, The Funny Side looks at precious—or questionable—parenting moments. It’s a compilation of relatable anecdotes that caregivers everywhere can enjoy. The Funny Side is a collection of raw and comical tales, reminding you that you aren’t alone and that laughter is sometimes the best response.
The Funny Side entertains, but it’s also meant to lessen the stress of feeling like your parenting has gone wrong or your child is stranger than average. Certain things come with the parenting territory whether we know it, and whether we like it. So, sit down and prepare to laugh because parenting is topsy-turvy, awry, and farcical. You’re going to love it—eventually.
It’s priceless, all of it.
From heartwarming to smiles and laughter, The Funny Side looks at precious—or questionable—parenting moments. It’s a compilation of relatable anecdotes that caregivers everywhere can enjoy. The Funny Side is a collection of raw and comical tales, reminding you that you aren’t alone and that laughter is sometimes the best response.
The Funny Side entertains, but it’s also meant to lessen the stress of feeling like your parenting has gone wrong or your child is stranger than average. Certain things come with the parenting territory whether we know it, and whether we like it. So, sit down and prepare to laugh because parenting is topsy-turvy, awry, and farcical. You’re going to love it—eventually.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2025
1 person want to read
About the author
Shari Marshall
7 books43 followersShari Marshall grew up reading fiction with a focus on fantasy, mystery, and thriller with a good dose of humour here and there. Nowadays she reads mostly fantasy. She lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, sons, and boxers. She is the award-winning author of Vizard, which is part of her debut urban fantasy series, The Ember Files. Shari’s previous publications are with Chicken Soup for the Soul, Parents Canada, Mamalode, and The RCMP Quarterly. Visit her website or follow her on Instagram (@sharimarshallauthor) to learn more.
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May 9, 2025“Approachable, insightful, and heartfelt, these well-penned stories are a cheerful reminder that creating another person is one of the wildest and most rewarding choices a person can make.” — Self-Publishing Review
I laughed and smiled a lot while brainstorming, writing, editing, and re-reading “The Funny Side.” I hope they make you smile and laugh too. Reviewers enjoyed their reading experience, and I wanted to share some snippets from those reviews (full reviews can be viewed on the review provider’s website):
The Prairies Book Review says, “A hilarious, heartfelt ode to parenting in all its messy glory . . .”
According to Literary Titan, “That balance between hilarity and heartfelt truth is what makes this book stand out.”
I laughed and smiled a lot while brainstorming, writing, editing, and re-reading “The Funny Side.” I hope they make you smile and laugh too. Reviewers enjoyed their reading experience, and I wanted to share some snippets from those reviews (full reviews can be viewed on the review provider’s website):
The Prairies Book Review says, “A hilarious, heartfelt ode to parenting in all its messy glory . . .”
According to Literary Titan, “That balance between hilarity and heartfelt truth is what makes this book stand out.”
March 21, 2025
Shari Marshall’s The Funny Side is a lighthearted, laugh-out-loud collection of parenting stories that shine a hilarious spotlight on the chaos, messes, and unexpected joys of raising children. From the very first page, Marshall makes it clear—this isn’t a parenting guide. Instead, it’s a warm, witty, and refreshingly honest look at the ups and downs of life as a mom. The book is structured as a series of anecdotes, touching on everything from potty training and toddler streaking to those unfiltered, mortifying things kids blurt out in public. With chapters like Are We Responsible for Our Children’s Behavior? and Penis, Vagina, and Non-Sensical Things I’ve Learned, you know you're in for a ride.
As a parent (and a grandparent), I found myself nodding, chuckling, and, at times, outright laughing at Marshall’s stories. She captures those wild, unpredictable parenting moments with such vivid humor that I felt like I was right there with her, reliving my own experiences. Take, for example, her battle with her toddler’s fascination with nudity—one I know all too well. When her son learned the word privacy, only to immediately abandon all concept of it by streaking through the house, I had to put the book down because I was laughing so hard. Then there’s her mortifying moment at Disneyland when her young son, in what could only be described as an innocent-yet-highly-suspect act, placed his tiny hand right on Ariel’s chest during a photo op. Priceless. These are the kinds of stories every parent collects over the years but often tries to forget until someone else dares to share theirs.
Beyond the humor, Marshall also sneaks in moments of deep relatability. Her struggles with early motherhood, especially with her premature baby’s fragile start in life, tugged at my heartstrings. She doesn’t sugarcoat the exhaustion, self-doubt, or overwhelming love that comes with raising kids. And then there are those little victories, like when her son finally figures out the mechanics of peeing standing up. That balance between hilarity and heartfelt truth is what makes this book stand out.
If you’re a parent, a grandparent, or even just someone who enjoys a good laugh about the beautiful disaster that is raising children, this book is for you. The Funny Side is perfect for exhausted moms who need reassurance that they’re not alone, dads who could use a reminder that yes, this happens to everyone, and even soon-to-be parents who have no idea what they’re getting themselves into. Shari Marshall has written a book that lets us laugh at the madness, embrace the mess, and appreciate the fact that no parent has it all figured out.
As a parent (and a grandparent), I found myself nodding, chuckling, and, at times, outright laughing at Marshall’s stories. She captures those wild, unpredictable parenting moments with such vivid humor that I felt like I was right there with her, reliving my own experiences. Take, for example, her battle with her toddler’s fascination with nudity—one I know all too well. When her son learned the word privacy, only to immediately abandon all concept of it by streaking through the house, I had to put the book down because I was laughing so hard. Then there’s her mortifying moment at Disneyland when her young son, in what could only be described as an innocent-yet-highly-suspect act, placed his tiny hand right on Ariel’s chest during a photo op. Priceless. These are the kinds of stories every parent collects over the years but often tries to forget until someone else dares to share theirs.
Beyond the humor, Marshall also sneaks in moments of deep relatability. Her struggles with early motherhood, especially with her premature baby’s fragile start in life, tugged at my heartstrings. She doesn’t sugarcoat the exhaustion, self-doubt, or overwhelming love that comes with raising kids. And then there are those little victories, like when her son finally figures out the mechanics of peeing standing up. That balance between hilarity and heartfelt truth is what makes this book stand out.
If you’re a parent, a grandparent, or even just someone who enjoys a good laugh about the beautiful disaster that is raising children, this book is for you. The Funny Side is perfect for exhausted moms who need reassurance that they’re not alone, dads who could use a reminder that yes, this happens to everyone, and even soon-to-be parents who have no idea what they’re getting themselves into. Shari Marshall has written a book that lets us laugh at the madness, embrace the mess, and appreciate the fact that no parent has it all figured out.
April 14, 2025
Marshall’s latest book is a deeply honest, uproariously funny, and occasionally gut-wrenching collection of parenting anecdotes. The author doesn’t romanticize motherhood. Instead, she leans into its messiness, inviting readers not only into her living room but into her thoughts during diaper explosions, poop-trauma, and head-scratching moments like her son announcing the size of his anatomy in public. Her humor comes from an unwavering commitment to honesty. Whether she’s describing pouring coffee grounds into the trash mid-brain fog or her child cheerfully greeting strangers with “Hi, Fucker,” Marshall finds the funny in even the most mortifying moments.
The book is divided into themed chapters covering parenting milestones and absurdities—from poop trauma to toy hoarding to Santa-photo disasters. The structure offers rhythm without rigidity, making it easy to read in short bursts. Marshall writes not as an expert but as a fellow parent in the trenches—wry, warm, and never preachy. She gives readers permission to release perfection and shame. The book says, “You’re not alone—and yes, this is as ridiculous as it feels.” The Funny Side isn’t just funny—it’s affirming. It’s for the tired, the discouraged, and anyone wondering if they’re the only one whose kid put fries up their nose.
The book is divided into themed chapters covering parenting milestones and absurdities—from poop trauma to toy hoarding to Santa-photo disasters. The structure offers rhythm without rigidity, making it easy to read in short bursts. Marshall writes not as an expert but as a fellow parent in the trenches—wry, warm, and never preachy. She gives readers permission to release perfection and shame. The book says, “You’re not alone—and yes, this is as ridiculous as it feels.” The Funny Side isn’t just funny—it’s affirming. It’s for the tired, the discouraged, and anyone wondering if they’re the only one whose kid put fries up their nose.
December 10, 2025
The Funny Side is one of those delightful books that sneaks up on you with its charm and leaves you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page. Shari Marshall captures the wild, unpredictable world of parenting with wit, honesty, and a wonderfully human touch. Every anecdote feels like a conversation with a friend who finally admits that their child is both the joy of their life and their greatest daily mystery.
What I loved most is how real these moments are the toddler logic that defies every law of nature, the emotional rollercoasters, the questionable decisions that somehow make perfect sense to a small human with infinite imagination. Each story is a small burst of laughter, but also a comforting reminder that none of us are alone in the chaos.
There’s a standout moment where the humor dips into something tender, showing how even the most exasperating situations often hold a surprising sweetness. That balance of hilarity and heart is what makes this collection shine.
This is the kind of book you’d gift to a new parent, a tired parent, or even to yourself on a day when you need permission to laugh at the madness. Wonderfully entertaining, deeply relatable, and beautifully written, The Funny Side is pure joy.
What I loved most is how real these moments are the toddler logic that defies every law of nature, the emotional rollercoasters, the questionable decisions that somehow make perfect sense to a small human with infinite imagination. Each story is a small burst of laughter, but also a comforting reminder that none of us are alone in the chaos.
There’s a standout moment where the humor dips into something tender, showing how even the most exasperating situations often hold a surprising sweetness. That balance of hilarity and heart is what makes this collection shine.
This is the kind of book you’d gift to a new parent, a tired parent, or even to yourself on a day when you need permission to laugh at the madness. Wonderfully entertaining, deeply relatable, and beautifully written, The Funny Side is pure joy.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews