Going Ga Ga: Is There Life After Birth?

by Mel Giedroyc

My daughter is a happy, toothy, gurgling six-month-old, completely unaware of all the trouble she's causing. What about me? Unable to squeeze into my size 12 jeans, having to make do with maternity smocks, putting up with emotional lows and breasts that spontaneously lactate at the most inopportune moments. My childless friends treat us like aliens ! Who can help Mel cope now that the euphoria of new motherhood has begun to wear off? Dan is the husband, proud father, and ostentatiously the New Man about the house, balancing childcare with new business venture in the garden shed, with extendable tape measure still attached to his belt—extendable overdraft at the bank. Mel's mom is still on-hand with her peculiar 1950s parenting tips and a complete lack of distaste for buckets full of soaking diapers—now looking trendier than Mel by comparison. Amanda, Mel's best friend, is full of advice on night nurses that cost a grand a week. Posh 'n' Becks lifestyle accessories now include Louis Vuitton buggy. Jools is Mel's Earth-mother friend—still breastfeeding five-year-old son; still urging Mel to adopt Gaia-centric parenting ways. Jackie is the obsessive baby-bore at Baby and Toddler group, unfortunately misidentified by Mel as a kindred spirit. Mel organizes Mums' Nights Out, Christmas fair stalls, and anything else that involves not being much fun and talking about your children with like-minded bores. Egle and Sonata are Mel's lodgers, Latvia's answer to The Cheeky Girls. They flirt with Dan and visit his shed behind Mel's back, and are two good reasons for Mel to sex herself up. Marcia is Flo's childminder. How can she be so calm and focused all the time? Bunty is a brightly-dressed, humorless and loathsome control-freak, who runs Tumble and Stretch class for the under-twos, singing "The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round"—but will the wheels come off for Mel?

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Lies · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book really annoyed me. All I could think was that the main character should grow a backbone, and not try so hard to score and fit in with those moms who do it all perfectly. I got through it, hoping it would get better, and it did, in the last 10 pages of the book. Then I could smile now and then, instead of rolling my eyes. Glad I finally finished it, now I need to find another book that can get me to sleep so easily.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny!

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an amusing book, one that probably tells the truth about motherhood and parenting without any of the sugar coating. It did have me cringing in several places, thinking that she had to be joking. It's easy to picture her in the scenarios though, it's very distinctly her voice in the book.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Made me laugh in some places. Definitely worth a read.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel was much better and funnier than the first book. I really enjoyed it and found myself wanting to read more and more.
This book carries on from the first one - 'From Here To Maternity' and gives us an hilarious insight into Mel's family life. It rustles along at a swift pace and I found myself just wanting to read, 'just one more chapter'!!
It was full of wit and had me laughing quite a lot!!
A really nice and easy read, full of cringe worthy but hilarious life moments.
A must read for any mum!!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was going to be funnier given the author's comedy credentials, but it was just ok.

It is amusing and touches on all those little moments of parenthood that you only 'get' once you have become a parent but it isn't anything new and is just another of those books which laugh at the fact that you can't get dressed before noon and the horror of meeting other mums at playgroups and the like.

I would recommend this book to a new mother, only because it is a humourous look at parenthood and is very easy reading (book reading is low priority in those early newborn days). There are better and funnier books out there though hence the 3 stars.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have children but I bought this book because I think Mel is funny on telly and thought she would be a good writer. I wasn't disappointed and sniggered to myself at some bits. Perhaps not having kids lessened the humour somewhat but it's natural and funny and really likeable. Plus the characters in it are ones I think most people can relate to.

[Sam Xxxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little lighthearted read and well recomented for first time mums especially - glad to know that I am not the only one to experience the stuff I do in motherhood. A real feel good and laugh out loud read, it will totally uplift you when you are feeling uncertain!

[Hughesy McHughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious chronicle of one woman's attempt to cope with the early stages of being a first-time parent. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wonder why on earth anyone would consider parenting!

[Kirsty Smart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really funny boo

[Natalie Christie]

unashamedly frothy but funny andquite amusing

[Louise Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy, amusing read fantastically suited to a baby-addled female brain.