Is it Bedtime Yet?

by Emily Writes (Editor)

The experience of parenthood is different for everyone. And every day can be different too. Read a hilarious and moving collection of perspectives from the well-loved Emily Writes and her friends. Some of them are experienced writers, others have put pen to paper for the first time. If it takes a village to raise a child, then this writing comes from the whole village. Yet every experience is a real one, and you will feel the joy, the horror, the love and the heart-ache as you read about birthday parties, vasectomies, hugs, hospitals and, of course, sleepless nights.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2018

About the author

Emily is a young mother of two pre-school boys. Her first blog post in March 2015 went viral, reaching more than one million people in a few days. Emily has been the parenting columnist for the New Zealand Herald and the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly and has also written for Metro magazine. She is currently editor of The Spinoff Parents. Emily founded and runs a not-for-profit/volunteer-run charity called Ballet is for Everyone, which provides free ballet lessons for children from low-income homes and children with disabilities and high health needs. She is a Plunket and Mother’s Network volunteer and an advocate for children’s and women’s rights. She also runs The Lighthouse events for mothers, and has a popular podcast called Dear Mamas. She lives in Wellington.

Reviews

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book arrived when I was 36 weeks pregnant, but I saved it to read when my baby arrived. And I’m so glad I did - this book is like having a village of lovely, non-judgy, wise, and also sleep deprived parents to hang out with during those middle of the night feeds. There were essays that made me cry, essays that made me snort-giggle, and essays that warmed my heart. Some essays were perfect for the exact stage I’m in - juggling the intense needs of a newborn and a three year old - and some which gave me valuable insight into the years ahead. This isn’t the book for you if you don’t have kids or don’t care much about kids, but I highly recommend it to all parents or anyone with little people in their lives.

[Miz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don't like a chapter, skip it. If you like a chapter, scream it from the rooftops. Support parents, mums and local NZ authors.

[Sarah Gardyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like a warm hug in book form! I quickly read and enjoyed every page.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished reading this - and yes, one of the essays included is mine. So no comments on that, but I loved reading the other pieces that make up this book. Not everyone hits it out of the park, but every single one is written with love and the hope of connecting. There's insight, humour, frustration, sadness, joy - the full range of emotionally resonant experiences. And there's some very fine writing in a lot of cases - from the full gamut: professional writes down to literal first-timers.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud multiple times and found many things to relate to and a few new perspectives on issues I hadn’t previously put much thought into. Parenting is all-consuming and seems so competitive at times that it’s refreshing to read an honest account of some of the less glamourous aspects. Thanks to my lovely friend Susan for lending me her copy of this gem of a book.

[Erin Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. I never thought I could experience a sense of community through a book, but that's how I felt while reading this. I laughed, I cried, I related to most of it, and the rest opened my eyes to how heartbreakingly beautiful parenting is from a whole bunch of perspectives.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning celebration of parenthood in all its glory: the challenges and the joyous bits. The overall quality of the essays is excellent, and I really appreciated the way in which the tone would vary, making me laugh one minute and almost cry the next. The essay format is pretty much perfect for busy parents who don't necessarily have the time or energy to retain a storyline for long! My experience of parenthood has been quite different to many of the authors' portrayals, but that in no way lessened my enjoyment. I'd recommend this book to any parent: if your children are still young this will provide you with much-needed comfort and solidarity, and if your children have grown and passed through the stages described these essays will give you a lovely sense of nostalgia (and you'll be so thankful that you're no longer woken up at night). Thank you so much, Emily and friends!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book so real and still funny! Takes away some of the pressures around what is ‘good parenting’

[Sarah McMullan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blogs "essays" already published elsewhere in one book, along with a bunch of assorted "friends" - some of whom have never written before 🙄 about parenting.
Very much for the precious mama mafia set that believes the world revolves around them their child, and thinks swearing passes for wit. #yawn
(You will know who this book suits and who it doesn't in about 30" flat.)

* I was given a copy to review.
l did not pay for it. l am not paid by the publisher to provide a positive review. *

Revised Rating: April 10 2019 - 2 Stars