Scummy Mummies: A celebration of parenting failures, hilarious confessions, fish fingers and wine

by Ellie Gibson, Helen Thorn

Scummy Mummies is a comedy book for less-than-perfect parents. It’s about how bringing up kids can be a tough business, but we’re all going through the same things, and it’s easier if we can have a good laugh about it. The book covers a range of themes relevant to modern parents, from pregnancy and potty training to school, sex, and nits. There are fun features like Sex Positions For Parents, quizzes such as Did Our Husbands Really Say That?, and Scummy Mummy Life Hacks.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 9, 2017

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and hilarious book about parenting and mums. I am so happy I found this book and that I could read it. I laughed, I giggled, and had so much fun reading this one. Next to tips and hints we also get to read about how things are for both the authors. There are also scummy mummy confessions that had me laughing so hard, but also feeling sorry for some of them. I wasn't a big fan of the hipster dads so I am glad there weren't that many of them.
There are fantasy/reality parts, should I do x/y and what 2 people think about that, and plenty of more that made the book more fun to read.
The book goes from an introduction, about babies, about food to growing up, them going to school and you trying out work again.
Recommended.

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an obvious buy, a fan of their podcast and facebook page,buying the book was inevitable.
The brutal honesty with which they lay bare the tribulations of modern parenting is exquisitely exposed, with all the glamour and majesty of pushing a baby from your foof apparent for anyone to see.
There may be criticisms(particularly from a certain set of parents,ahem looking at *you* yummy mummies) who would deride revelling in their 'scumminess' but as a mum of 4 I completely love their frankness.
Having a baby and losing yourself happens. There are so many standards modern mums are meant to be held accountable to yet they cheerfully remind you that a)cockups happen b) you need to laugh at them c)be kinder to yourself and d) take no advice from anyone,trust your instincts.
Interspersed with real confessions, this is a wonderful short read (that is why 4 stars not 5, I wanted more!) but I loved it and will be pressing it on all my harassed friends!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I'd hit peak Reality Parenting as an avid reader of Renegade Mothering, Hurrah for Gin, Peter and Jane and Constance Hall. I have since read all the books associated with these pages so I was far from peak. I do tire of the wine LOL, wine o'clock, prosecco fest that is supposed to be a hilarious take on modern parenting. It gets old and makes this recovered alcoholic feel saaaaad.

This is a short, fun and relatable read. I'd prescribe it as a tonic for any parent reading it through eyes propped open with matchsticks because their child NEVER SLEEPS.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really funny and nice read for keeping mums sane. This book actually made me realise I’m not that much of a Scummy Mummy after all, and that despite my inability to wash as frequently as my hubbies may like (happened even before kids) I have, to date, not left a dirty nappy in my handbag. I also stick to fish fingers only one day per week!

I didn’t really enjoy the made up humour (you’ll get me if you read the book), but laughed out loud at all the real life anecdotes and confessions.

[Holly Beacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sad not to give this a higher rating tbh, the reason being is that I love the scummy mummies and their podcast. But for some reason this book just didn't hit the mark, I found the jokes come across alot better in their podcast and I think it's their personalities/the way they put things across that help with this. I found alot of the things were from the podcast which is perhaps another reason why I didn't enjoy it as much! It is alot shorter than I thought when ordering the book!

[Shraddha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good giggle! This book has several 'laugh out loud' moments and I often found myself reading out bits and portions to my husband. Imperfections in parenting are common and this book is very assuring to make you believe that. A quick, easy and hilarious read.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun with a lot of British slang and references so you feel posh and scummy all at the same time. Some repeats of the podcast. A very quick read to make you feel accomplished.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny!

Loved reading this book during the night time breastfeeds. Hilarious, as expected! A frank insight in to motherhood. Totally relatable.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent, so funny real laugh out loud chuckles

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wine, crude jokes, odes to Captain Birdseye, confessions, childbirth and camaraderie.

[Weeza B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest, funny and real life, as ever the wonderful Scummy Mummies hit the nail on the head and did it with so much humour.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun easy read.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the scummy mummies podcast. Listening has helped me during some pretty hard parenting times. This book matches up with the podcast pretty closely.
It's too short. I read in about an hour all told.

[Prue Henschke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had me in fits of laughter on a few occasions. An easy read and certainly helps with making you realise you are not alone in your parenting challenges.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. Love their podcast, love this more.

[Dabarai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howled with laughter

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard a lot of hype and good things about this book. The authors are very funny and have their own podcasts and comedy show.
I was not disappointed and found myself laughing - a lot!!! It is full of cringeworthy parenting moments that every parent can identify with.
Also throughout this book there are little confessions from real parents, that are hilarious!!
I think that every parent will identify with at least a few of the stories in this book and it is well worth a read if just for a giggle!!!
I now need to go and listen to the podcasts!!

[Emma Gosling · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly thought I'd love this book because I love nothing more than reading about parents who are winging it just like me. Didn't really find it funny, must be getting boring in my old age.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just spot on. Spot on exactly what it means to be a mum. I'm not ashamed to say that I related to the majority of this book, and sniggered and snorted my way through it, much to the amusement of my nursing one year old and general ambivalence of my dinosaur-engrossed three year old. A lot of the content is material used in their show, so I'd heard it before, but it still made me smile and reiterated to me that I'm not alone in how I feel and what I do as a mum. I am a scummy mummy.