The Rebel Mama's Handbook for (Cool) Moms

by Aleks Jassem, Nikita Stanley

If you’re a mom (or mom-to-be) who wants to raise decent human beings, maintain your pre-baby identity and not lose your sh*t along the way, congrats: you’ve just found the parenting book of your dreams.

The Rebel Mama's Handbook for (Cool) Moms is a girlfriend’s guide to early motherhood. It’s the Coles Notes for all those boring baby books you never get through. It’s the instruction manual you wish your kid(s) came with—complete with cocktail list.

Welcome to motherhood. Let’s do this . . .

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2020

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t read this whole book (thank god), and the reason for that is because in the chapter titled something like “how to get 5 damn minutes to yourself”, two of the suggestions are (barely paraphrased) - “say you’re going to buy tampons - men are afraid of tampons so they won’t question you” and “do laundry: men don’t know what goes on in the basement and they don’t want to know...”. What kinds of men are these that are afraid of tampons and don’t do laundry (either their own or yours / your family’s)???? I am disgusted and baffled, and feel sorry for the women who wrote this book, and embarrassed for their partners.

[Sarah Pucknell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very fun relaxing book to read ! Made me feel less anxious and more excited to become a mama :)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book and easy to read. I consumed it quickly! I love some of their tips and will definitely look back at the book, but also felt really awkward about how they talked about their spouses, who they seem to try and control passive aggressively rather than actually having adult conversations about child raising and care.

[Anu Hallimae-Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling like a really cool mom now that I finished this! Great book for those cool moms!

[Allie Lane Sandu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and useful in some aspects and frankly almost useless in others, which I’m sure is probably the case for a lot of parenting “how-to” type of books. My main dislike essentially was for a book that proclaimed to be inclusive, it felt very judgemental and heteronormative in a lot of areas.

[Valentine Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and would definitely recommend it to any mom who is looking for an easy parenting/pregnancy self-help book that doesn't feel too preachy or clinical. It literally made me laugh out loud a couple times, and it felt like advice I would get from a friend. It loved how short and easily digestible the information was.

I would have loved the book if...
1) It had spent more time talking about pregnancy.
2) It didn't make men sound so useless. For example, it talks about how men are afraid of tampons and are clueless about laundry.
3) It didn't say never to judge another mom, but then go into very specific details about the type of mom you want to make friends with (i.e., gives her kid a sip of her coffee, probably has an adult beverage in her cup, scrolling instagram at the park, etc.). The book felt a bit like it was judging women who didn't live up to the "rebel mom" standards.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. For a book that states at the beginning that it is a judgement free space, it sure had a lot of do this, don't do this strong opinions. It gives the impression it's for chill parents and going to be more like a commentary on parenting in the current world climate. It's very centred around one body type and doesn't consider other points of view. If you're not white, straight, able bodied, and wear straight sizing, there will likely be little that resonates.

[Darelle Odo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 of 2022
7.5/10 - super fun, quick, and cheeky book by and for millennial mamas. Short blog style chapters. Tone is similar to “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”. Great counter weight for more scientific, evidence based baby books.

[Katrina Mosscrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, highly relevant and honest advice with a sense of humour. I wish I read it sooner. Overall message: you got this.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favourite mom book to date. I purchase it for all my new mom friends. These ladies are real, hilarious and tell it like it is.

[Marissa Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the phrases and recommendations/tips seemed a bit outdated or a bit offensive, but others seemed relevant and helpful. An ok, quick read but not one I would read again and again.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but meh.