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Why Some Animals Eat Their Young: A Survivor’s Guide to Motherhood
A contemporary Erma Bombeck extols the highs and lows of parenting
When Dallas Louis decided that all she wanted was to meet and marry her Prince Charming and become a mom, she had no idea what was in store for her. But she would soon find out. After only seven months of dating the love of her life, she married him, and within the course of twenty-six months, she gave birth to three children. Her husband knew her longer pregnant than not pregnant!
In this hilarious book, Dallas shares highlights of what happened in her world once all her dreams came true. She would like readers to find comfort in knowing they aren’t the only ones suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome or buyer’s remorse. And, yes, it’s okay to admit that both of these conditions apply to parenting, though hopefully not all the time.
With her irreverent humor and brash “tell it like it is” style, Dallas will help you laugh at everyday situations, easing the pressure of the toughest job in the world: being a mom.
“Mothers seeking a bit of humor about their child-rearing experiences will find it in droves in [this book]. It’s especially important because without humor, surviving this stage of family life becomes questionable.”—Midwest Book Review
When Dallas Louis decided that all she wanted was to meet and marry her Prince Charming and become a mom, she had no idea what was in store for her. But she would soon find out. After only seven months of dating the love of her life, she married him, and within the course of twenty-six months, she gave birth to three children. Her husband knew her longer pregnant than not pregnant!
In this hilarious book, Dallas shares highlights of what happened in her world once all her dreams came true. She would like readers to find comfort in knowing they aren’t the only ones suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome or buyer’s remorse. And, yes, it’s okay to admit that both of these conditions apply to parenting, though hopefully not all the time.
With her irreverent humor and brash “tell it like it is” style, Dallas will help you laugh at everyday situations, easing the pressure of the toughest job in the world: being a mom.
“Mothers seeking a bit of humor about their child-rearing experiences will find it in droves in [this book]. It’s especially important because without humor, surviving this stage of family life becomes questionable.”—Midwest Book Review
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2021
210 people are currently reading
1409 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 20, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. Yes...there are some parts that are funny. This woman had to laugh or she would have surely been in the bathroom slicing her wrist...and she probably had considered that option more than once. I had two children that I managed not to kill or sell, 15 months apart so I know to some extent what she was feeling when she produced 3 babies in 26 months. At one part of the book, she had a 2-year-old...a 1-year-old...and an 8-week-old. Her mother-in–law came to help. Even moved in. Her husband traveled for his company...obviously not long enough...but he tried to help when he was home. Babies don’t come with instruction manuals or return options so he was clueless and as overwhelmed as she was. I will have to say that she had a great deal of courage putting exactly how she felt on paper for millions of women...that had been, or were currently, in exactly the same situation that she was. So... there is going to be different levels of understanding and sympathy from the readers. Let me emphasize that these two young parents absolutely did love their children. They just couldn’t figure out how to handle the chaos. As the kids grew older, they did all the things that all young families do, and the things that happened became more amusing than they were at the time when she was trying to handle 3 infants almost by herself. I’m giving her book 4 stars and I’m giving her 10 stars for hanging in there and finding something remotely funny to write about. Read her book. If you are a mom, you will be able to relate to most of it...give a chuckle or two and think to yourself “Thank God and all his Saints that it’s not me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sandra Jonas Publishing in exchange for an honest opinion. The views expressed by this reviewer are entirely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sandra Jonas Publishing in exchange for an honest opinion. The views expressed by this reviewer are entirely my own.
November 15, 2022
This started out quite funny and entertaining, but quickly devolved into tedious. I found myself resenting the author’s husband for constantly being away on business trips while she was left with three small children. He traveled a lot for work then, often being gone anywhere from four to six days a week, two to three weeks a month. This sucked the humor out of things because I just felt bad that she was so overwhelmed. I mean seriously, they planned a trip to Disney World and he ended up having to meet them there instead of flying with them because of a last minute business meeting. The kids were four, three, and two! That’s a lot to handle even for two parents. Flying with kids is no joke and I only had one. Maybe that’s why I struggled to find the humor too. Idk, but this book didn’t make me laugh like I had hoped it would.
September 15, 2021
Laughed so hard I was peeing. There is so much sarcasm. It is wonderfully blunt and straight forward. You ever feel like you are just failing at this parenting thing? Like you aren't doing it right and there is something wrong with you? Like maybe you aren't mom material? This proves that we are all like that and contains story after story of scenarios that we all have experienced.
October 2, 2021
Why Some Animals Eat Their Young had me laughing from beginning to end! Having kids close together myself, I easily related to her funny stories. Not only is it funny, she gives excellent advice practical for every busy family. Highly recommend!
September 5, 2021
I don't normally read any type of self-help or personal improvement books, mostly because I find them dry and boring. I don't feel like I'm going to get any improvement from something I have to force myself to endure. This fabulous little journey through motherhood however kept me not only interested but frequently giggling. I'm not a parent so I doubt I'll be able to apply most of the advice in this book but there is a lot of really good relationship advice squeezed into parenting. Despite the lack of use for it, I found Dallas' advice to be very sound. Everything she advises makes complete and total sense to me and were I to become a parent I would hope to raise my children with all of these principles in mind. A truly solid piece of work.
September 7, 2021
This book isn't what I had expected. I didn't find it humorous, but it is one where the family looks back, and can find humor in the things that happened. More like you had to be there to find the humor in things book. Mrs Louis does offer some good advice on husband and wife relationships later on. It is a well written book, and Dallas Louis definitely shows motherhood isn't for the faint of heart. Thank you for letting us have a peek into your life. I received an ARC and am voluntarily giving my review.
August 29, 2021
Great book, great read, a whole lot of laughs. In this world, with all the garbage, crap, and insecurity this is an escape for a few hours. I work with DFACS (CPS) and DJJ so I see all the children that are crippled physically and emotionally by parents and guardians. These children are then thrown away, and end up in the system. Dallas in the midst of all the laughs and giggles is poking us not only in the ribs but more importantly in our hearts. This could and even should become required reading for parenting classes. Many mothers don't have the faintest idea of how to properly raise children. I have worked MOPS and I know what a great opportunity they offer to parents/mothers and children.
Again a great book and a great read.
Again a great book and a great read.
September 3, 2021
Hilarious!!! Great book! If you’re a mom you will TOTALLY relate!!!! Highly recommend!
August 28, 2021
Well written, honest, and engaging. I really appreciated reading the author’s exceedingly vivid take on the realities that come with having a family. It was an easy read that kept me entertained through the last page!
June 4, 2022
This book made me laugh a lot and do some thinking. I have a young son (7 months) and the switch from being just a wife to a wife and mom was a tough road for me navigate and I felt bad for it. This made me not feel so bad about things I’ve done and how I felt. It does make me dread how my son will be as he already seems super rambunctious.
August 26, 2021
"Granted, parenting is a whole lotta standing around with not a whole lot going on. Then other times, it was exactly like meet-ing Cinderella: I just couldn’t contain myself.
But other times, the times we’d like to forget, it’s like the Mad Tea Party ride, better known as the Spinning Teacups"
At times, this is how I felt about this book. It's like Erma Bombeck met a grim reaper. I laughed at some lines but the story of an overworked and under appreciated mother is not news....It's most of the families of the 60s before it took more than 2 decent salaries to keep a household together.
I'm glad I read it, but I can't recommend it. 3/5
[Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
But other times, the times we’d like to forget, it’s like the Mad Tea Party ride, better known as the Spinning Teacups"
At times, this is how I felt about this book. It's like Erma Bombeck met a grim reaper. I laughed at some lines but the story of an overworked and under appreciated mother is not news....It's most of the families of the 60s before it took more than 2 decent salaries to keep a household together.
I'm glad I read it, but I can't recommend it. 3/5
[Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
September 19, 2021
There are days...
Dallas Louis keeps the chuckles going as she describes her life with very close in age children. Although reminiscent of the late Erma Bombeck, the author discusses the importance of respecting your spouse and teaching your children respect for others personal space, feelings, and work on kindness.
Dallas Louis keeps the chuckles going as she describes her life with very close in age children. Although reminiscent of the late Erma Bombeck, the author discusses the importance of respecting your spouse and teaching your children respect for others personal space, feelings, and work on kindness.
February 22, 2024
I wanted this book to be funny parenting anecdotes. And there were some but it was mostly how much her husband sucked, then at the end how you should do everything your husband wants and always look nice for him and always give him sex. Kinda weird and I was disappointed. Also her parenting strategies are really outdated and messed up like biting your kids etc
Read
January 23, 2025You know when you're at like your kid's swim class or the playground and you overhear moms talking to each other and you kind of eavesdrop to see if y'all could be friends but then they say something that has you like "oh nevermind."
That's pretty much how reading this felt for me. There was a lot in here that made me cringe. But to be fair to the author, those things generally fell into the realm of "we simply have different worldviews and perspectives" rather than "this take is objectively harmful and bad." This isn't advertised on the outside of the book, but the author is a Christian woman from Texas. I don't say that as a criticism, just as a point of fact that may affect whether or how much you enjoy the book. I'm also a woman from Texas but that's about where our similarities ended.
As far as the actual parenting advice itself, for what little of it there was nestled in this series of somewhat rambling anecdotes, I actually agreed with most of it, and found a lot to underline and cheer in the margins. Particularly her comments about setting/holding boundaries, and most especially her comments on the importance of doing so for the safety of your kids, like buckling them into their carseats no matter how much they cry about it.
Overall tho, I didn't laugh once and I felt like the overall tone of this felt outdated and written by someone kind of too far removed from parenting young children to be writing a book about parenting young children. A lot has changed over the past 20 yrs. I'd recommend Momma Cusses book instead if you're looking for something *like this* but for people parenting right now.
[All that said, there are probably tons of people out there who will love and agree with all of this - the advice AND everything else - so don't let me be the one to dissuade you from picking it up if it sounds interesting to you!]
Thanks to Sandra Jones Pub. and Goodreads for this giveaway copy! (Sorry it took me so long to read it...in my defense, I had a 2 yr old at the time...hope you understand! 😅)
That's pretty much how reading this felt for me. There was a lot in here that made me cringe. But to be fair to the author, those things generally fell into the realm of "we simply have different worldviews and perspectives" rather than "this take is objectively harmful and bad." This isn't advertised on the outside of the book, but the author is a Christian woman from Texas. I don't say that as a criticism, just as a point of fact that may affect whether or how much you enjoy the book. I'm also a woman from Texas but that's about where our similarities ended.
As far as the actual parenting advice itself, for what little of it there was nestled in this series of somewhat rambling anecdotes, I actually agreed with most of it, and found a lot to underline and cheer in the margins. Particularly her comments about setting/holding boundaries, and most especially her comments on the importance of doing so for the safety of your kids, like buckling them into their carseats no matter how much they cry about it.
Overall tho, I didn't laugh once and I felt like the overall tone of this felt outdated and written by someone kind of too far removed from parenting young children to be writing a book about parenting young children. A lot has changed over the past 20 yrs. I'd recommend Momma Cusses book instead if you're looking for something *like this* but for people parenting right now.
[All that said, there are probably tons of people out there who will love and agree with all of this - the advice AND everything else - so don't let me be the one to dissuade you from picking it up if it sounds interesting to you!]
Thanks to Sandra Jones Pub. and Goodreads for this giveaway copy! (Sorry it took me so long to read it...in my defense, I had a 2 yr old at the time...hope you understand! 😅)
September 11, 2021
loved this book! It's SO real and so many chapters were "LOL" funny! The way it's written is brutally honest and reminds me of two of my other favorite authors: Erma Bombeck and Patsy Clairmont. I love reading books that don't just create enjoyment but make me stop and think and this was one of the best! I found myself laughing and then thinking "my stars...how did she manage to survive?!". I am an avid reader and Dallas Louis has completely gained another fan with this book (I've never "followed" an author on Amazon until now so that should tell you how much I recommend this book) Enjoy!
September 7, 2021
This is one of the most honest--and humorous--books about motherhood that I've read in a long time. The author had 3 children in the space of 26 months, which leads to lots of drama and comedy. Her writing voice is reminiscent of Erma Bombeck, who was always one of my favorite comic authors.
Parenting can be a difficult and emotional job, so sometimes it's important to find the humor in it--otherwise, you can get bogged down and depressed. Several of her stories reminded me of the days when my three were young, although mine were more spaced out.
This is a quick easy read and will keep you entertained from the first page to the last.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sandra Jonas Publishing in exchange for an honest opinion. The views expressed by this reviewer are entirely my own.**
Parenting can be a difficult and emotional job, so sometimes it's important to find the humor in it--otherwise, you can get bogged down and depressed. Several of her stories reminded me of the days when my three were young, although mine were more spaced out.
This is a quick easy read and will keep you entertained from the first page to the last.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sandra Jonas Publishing in exchange for an honest opinion. The views expressed by this reviewer are entirely my own.**
October 9, 2024
Every good general needs some time to regroup for her next plan of attack.
the most intentional means of planning to parent in the world: adoption.
Get a puppy. Puppies are cute, require a fair amount of attention, and give you unconditional love. Best of all, you don’t have to birth them. If you get a puppy and still want a baby, read on.
Parenting is truly one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, and when done right, it will also be one of the most heartbreaking.
Might I take this opportunity to make another public service announcement? To those of you contemplating a more natural birth plan, pass on it. Take the drugs. I had two kids with drugs, one without. Take the drugs as soon as they’re offered. Your anesthesiologist will become your best friend. You will love him more and more with every push of that magic little button. Trust me on this one.
Daily stress will get the better of you, and words will get said that should have stayed circling the drain of your mental filter.
Getting married isn’t the hardest thing you will ever need to adjust to in life— it’s throwing kids into that mix.
Did you know that losing one hour of sleep for six consecutive nights has the same effect on your body as pulling an all- nighter?
Parenting isn’t for sissies. Those sweet little angels will test you in the most brutal ways imaginable. You will doubt everything you thought to be true about yourself— and then some. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Without one single, solitary doubt.
Kids are such intuitive little machines. They know when Mommy or Daddy is running low on energy or patience, and they don’t hesitate to use that to their advantage.
No matter how hard you try to make your own plans, kiddos have their own agenda, and that usually doesn’t coincide with yours.
I discovered after having my children that I can hear sounds normal human beings can’t, and when I say “normal,” I mean male. I can hear a baby crying from the neighbor’s house through two closed front doors with televisions on in both houses.
I was also discovering that while they seemed to believe that I didn’t require sleep, my husband (who also doubles as their father) had the ability to morph into an invisible and supremely evasive nocturnal being with powers so stealthy he could evade capture by the aliens that had invaded our once peaceful and quiet habitat. In other words, they never woke up Daddy!
some basic rules:
Never point a gun at anyone.
Always point the barrel to the ground until you’re ready to shoot.
Always have the safety on until you’re ready to shoot.
Never handle a gun unless an adult is with you.
But I believe it’s imperative that we teach our children how to be outside. We have to teach them that there is more to life than the latest video game or the latest new pair of shoes.
Duct tape has some excellent and creative uses, but child restraint isn’t one of them.
Over time, though, the Force was too strong and the children’s resistance was no match. Flippy’s food proved to be too great a temptation, and he became the permanent guest of honor at a Las- Vegas- style, all- you- can- eat buffet. It was a sad, sad day. Flippy quite literally ate himself to death. Why? How? Well, it’s fun to feed a fish. But it isn’t always the best thing for them. They need boundaries. They need rules— and so do children.
Children need boundaries. Boundaries keep them safe. Without boundaries, kids wander off, stray too far, get into unfamiliar territory, and find themselves unable to breathe.
Children are among the smartest criminals— I mean people— on the planet. And it starts from a very young age. No one has to teach them how to manipulate a situation. It seems to be already installed into their hardwiring. It’s amazing to watch, but mortifying to live through.
boundaries need to be set for children’s own good and safety
them. It isn’t our job to be their friend. It’s our job to be their parent. There’s a big difference between the two.
consistency is your secret weapon— it is the key to winning not only the battle but also the entire war.
Whatever the discipline, the bottom line is the love behind it. It’s easy to give them what they want. It’s easy to be the fun parent all the time. It’s easy to mistake that for love. Love is actually keeping them safe. Remember: A fish out of water will not be able to breathe indefinitely.
through! Do not spout empty threats. If you say you’re going to do something, think like Nike and JUST DO IT! They know when you’re bluffing.
Very few things will drive a wedge faster and further between a husband and wife than disagreements about how to discipline children.
children are really super- cute carrier monkeys. Their job is to pick up and attract the latest and greatest germ, bug, or virus and bring it home to share with the rest of the family.
It amazes me how well we react to a crisis.
How hard can this be? Harder than you think.
My theory behind the biting is two- fold. One, it’s about a good old- fashioned power struggle. Someone has a toy that someone else wants. When they don’t get their way, they bare their teeth— literally. Two, when you’re as little in size as my kids were and a bigger kid starts pushing you around, your chompers become the most effective means of self- defense. The threat can be real or perceived. Either way, the teeth will be shown and someone is probably going to bleed.
Parenting is all about timing. You have to be patient and be able to outlast your children. They have the advantage in this department, I’m afraid to say, so we must be vigilant. Kids are very smart; they know when you’re bluffing. They know when you’re running on low- battery life and the threats you’re giving don’t really hold water.
“What’s for dinner?” in our kitchen. The most popular answer from me is “Whatever I put in front of you.”
borrow a phrase from Ratatouille, “Anyone can cook.” If you can read, you can cook.
Communication is a huge deal for our little peanuts. They learn new words, new motions— new everything— that fill up their world at an incredible rate. They learn a multitude of new sights and sounds every day. So when Junior is flipping out in the local Food Mart, chances are his mind is in overdrive about something. The question is, What do you do? Do you react? Or do you respond?
At times we need anger to spur us on to do better and try harder and to even keep us safe. Anger can transform into passion, if we learn how to properly manage it. We can’t let it master us.
But despite all of that, don’t give up. And don’t lose heart! One day, you’ll be able to look back on these days with a sigh and a smile and be thankful you lived to tell the tale.
Marriage is a continual learning process. Having a wedding ring placed on your finger isn’t the end of the game. We don’t spike the ball and do our end- zone happy dance. Marriage is all about two different people trying to figure out how to live together in the same house without killing each other or the kids.
Being married with children really is about the same as living in a house you’re remodeling. It is loud. It is messy. And something constantly needs your attention.
sex is a gift to be shared and enjoyed.
Marriage is hard, but with kids, it’s almost impossible— unless you’re willing to stand your ground and fight for what you have.
It’s imperative that you maintain your identity as husband and wife as well as playing the role of mom and dad. Your family will suffer into the next generation if you fail in this area.
Just like riding a bicycle is something you don’t quickly forget, spitting fire is something that also returns to you in the blink of an eye.
We don’t have to spend three weeks in Italy drinking red wine, eating cheese, and making love in foreign hotel rooms to recreate the lost romance in our child- ridden marriages. We have all the tools we need right here at home. All we need is imagination, some pre- planning, and an open and willing heart.
the most intentional means of planning to parent in the world: adoption.
Get a puppy. Puppies are cute, require a fair amount of attention, and give you unconditional love. Best of all, you don’t have to birth them. If you get a puppy and still want a baby, read on.
Parenting is truly one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, and when done right, it will also be one of the most heartbreaking.
Might I take this opportunity to make another public service announcement? To those of you contemplating a more natural birth plan, pass on it. Take the drugs. I had two kids with drugs, one without. Take the drugs as soon as they’re offered. Your anesthesiologist will become your best friend. You will love him more and more with every push of that magic little button. Trust me on this one.
Daily stress will get the better of you, and words will get said that should have stayed circling the drain of your mental filter.
Getting married isn’t the hardest thing you will ever need to adjust to in life— it’s throwing kids into that mix.
Did you know that losing one hour of sleep for six consecutive nights has the same effect on your body as pulling an all- nighter?
Parenting isn’t for sissies. Those sweet little angels will test you in the most brutal ways imaginable. You will doubt everything you thought to be true about yourself— and then some. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Without one single, solitary doubt.
Kids are such intuitive little machines. They know when Mommy or Daddy is running low on energy or patience, and they don’t hesitate to use that to their advantage.
No matter how hard you try to make your own plans, kiddos have their own agenda, and that usually doesn’t coincide with yours.
I discovered after having my children that I can hear sounds normal human beings can’t, and when I say “normal,” I mean male. I can hear a baby crying from the neighbor’s house through two closed front doors with televisions on in both houses.
I was also discovering that while they seemed to believe that I didn’t require sleep, my husband (who also doubles as their father) had the ability to morph into an invisible and supremely evasive nocturnal being with powers so stealthy he could evade capture by the aliens that had invaded our once peaceful and quiet habitat. In other words, they never woke up Daddy!
some basic rules:
Never point a gun at anyone.
Always point the barrel to the ground until you’re ready to shoot.
Always have the safety on until you’re ready to shoot.
Never handle a gun unless an adult is with you.
But I believe it’s imperative that we teach our children how to be outside. We have to teach them that there is more to life than the latest video game or the latest new pair of shoes.
Duct tape has some excellent and creative uses, but child restraint isn’t one of them.
Over time, though, the Force was too strong and the children’s resistance was no match. Flippy’s food proved to be too great a temptation, and he became the permanent guest of honor at a Las- Vegas- style, all- you- can- eat buffet. It was a sad, sad day. Flippy quite literally ate himself to death. Why? How? Well, it’s fun to feed a fish. But it isn’t always the best thing for them. They need boundaries. They need rules— and so do children.
Children need boundaries. Boundaries keep them safe. Without boundaries, kids wander off, stray too far, get into unfamiliar territory, and find themselves unable to breathe.
Children are among the smartest criminals— I mean people— on the planet. And it starts from a very young age. No one has to teach them how to manipulate a situation. It seems to be already installed into their hardwiring. It’s amazing to watch, but mortifying to live through.
boundaries need to be set for children’s own good and safety
them. It isn’t our job to be their friend. It’s our job to be their parent. There’s a big difference between the two.
consistency is your secret weapon— it is the key to winning not only the battle but also the entire war.
Whatever the discipline, the bottom line is the love behind it. It’s easy to give them what they want. It’s easy to be the fun parent all the time. It’s easy to mistake that for love. Love is actually keeping them safe. Remember: A fish out of water will not be able to breathe indefinitely.
through! Do not spout empty threats. If you say you’re going to do something, think like Nike and JUST DO IT! They know when you’re bluffing.
Very few things will drive a wedge faster and further between a husband and wife than disagreements about how to discipline children.
children are really super- cute carrier monkeys. Their job is to pick up and attract the latest and greatest germ, bug, or virus and bring it home to share with the rest of the family.
It amazes me how well we react to a crisis.
How hard can this be? Harder than you think.
My theory behind the biting is two- fold. One, it’s about a good old- fashioned power struggle. Someone has a toy that someone else wants. When they don’t get their way, they bare their teeth— literally. Two, when you’re as little in size as my kids were and a bigger kid starts pushing you around, your chompers become the most effective means of self- defense. The threat can be real or perceived. Either way, the teeth will be shown and someone is probably going to bleed.
Parenting is all about timing. You have to be patient and be able to outlast your children. They have the advantage in this department, I’m afraid to say, so we must be vigilant. Kids are very smart; they know when you’re bluffing. They know when you’re running on low- battery life and the threats you’re giving don’t really hold water.
“What’s for dinner?” in our kitchen. The most popular answer from me is “Whatever I put in front of you.”
borrow a phrase from Ratatouille, “Anyone can cook.” If you can read, you can cook.
Communication is a huge deal for our little peanuts. They learn new words, new motions— new everything— that fill up their world at an incredible rate. They learn a multitude of new sights and sounds every day. So when Junior is flipping out in the local Food Mart, chances are his mind is in overdrive about something. The question is, What do you do? Do you react? Or do you respond?
At times we need anger to spur us on to do better and try harder and to even keep us safe. Anger can transform into passion, if we learn how to properly manage it. We can’t let it master us.
But despite all of that, don’t give up. And don’t lose heart! One day, you’ll be able to look back on these days with a sigh and a smile and be thankful you lived to tell the tale.
Marriage is a continual learning process. Having a wedding ring placed on your finger isn’t the end of the game. We don’t spike the ball and do our end- zone happy dance. Marriage is all about two different people trying to figure out how to live together in the same house without killing each other or the kids.
Being married with children really is about the same as living in a house you’re remodeling. It is loud. It is messy. And something constantly needs your attention.
sex is a gift to be shared and enjoyed.
Marriage is hard, but with kids, it’s almost impossible— unless you’re willing to stand your ground and fight for what you have.
It’s imperative that you maintain your identity as husband and wife as well as playing the role of mom and dad. Your family will suffer into the next generation if you fail in this area.
Just like riding a bicycle is something you don’t quickly forget, spitting fire is something that also returns to you in the blink of an eye.
We don’t have to spend three weeks in Italy drinking red wine, eating cheese, and making love in foreign hotel rooms to recreate the lost romance in our child- ridden marriages. We have all the tools we need right here at home. All we need is imagination, some pre- planning, and an open and willing heart.
September 17, 2021
I have not read a clearer picture of motherhood since the wonderful tales of Erma Bombeck. While it is a laugh out loud documentary of a mother doing her best to tame the wild creatures otherwise known as children, it is also a way for a mother who faces everyday life in less than picture perfect days. That makes it real, and that's what new mothers need to discover that they are not alone in the insanity also termed as raising kids. My three kids are grown with kids of their own so I found myself constantly comparing her situations to those I have already gone through and feeling a bit of relief that Erma Bombeck and I are not the only women who found motherhood to be a daily challenge sprinkled with humor. This is a must read for mothers of all ages, whether your children are toddling around the house or already left you with an empty nest. It's an opportunity to stop comparing yourself to the photo shoot pictures on facebook where the family is all smiles in matching outfits looking as though everything in their life is sweet and perfect. While family life does have those perfect moments, reality behind the cute outfits and gleaming smiles is times when you do understand why some animals eat their young. Fantastic book!!
October 3, 2021
The mix of humor and advice in this book makes each more powerful. Some of the author’s parenting and family advice I’ve long agreed with (respect, boundaries, consistency) and some of the advice was good for me to hear. And here’s the thing about hearing—it’s easier to do when you’re not defensive. The author’s relatable anecdotes and unabashed humor put me at ease so I could really hear her as if she were a trusted friend. Parents, new and experienced, should read this book.
October 4, 2021
Enjoy each stage.
The wisest words from my mother were don't wish their childhood away. Too often we say I wish they ...... And suddenly they are grown and we didn't enjoy the stage they were in.
The wisest words from my mother were don't wish their childhood away. Too often we say I wish they ...... And suddenly they are grown and we didn't enjoy the stage they were in.
September 28, 2021
A wonderful trip through parenthood. Having three young children in a short time isn’t easy for anyone. There’s humour and more in between the pages.
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October 24, 2021Hilarious book! Full of fun, warmth, and practical advice. A winner!
November 10, 2022
Psycho moms for the Win!
My eldest son is 39 going on 15, ot I hope at least 15. However, his best friend bought a house in our neighborhood, actually 2 doors down, and had been there almost 8 yrs now. I was talking to him one day about his dad's old truck and did he with to sell...
This ended up being a two hr conversation via texting ( which I hate), while he was at work. We agreed to discuss the truck I'm detail later, but last note was on how not to look in the past go forward because the past is gone. When past came up he brought up taking him and my boys (38 & 39), to the Olympics in Atlanta. He said they were evil, I replied no, just almost teenagers trying out my patience in mostly stupid and " You did what?" ways...
I said, I'm didn't stop me from throwing you in vehicle and taking you with us to whatever crazed idea I had. I've known him since he was two, he didn't scare me, (I had to almost 18 mo apart, his mom had 5 boys, her first two twins who were almost teens when youngest born.)
Chris, my son's bf, became an attachment to our house, bless his heart he was the quintessential middle child, and like my oldest his best friend, they didn't really get in trouble the started it and watched the fall out. As we were concluding My Insanity of dragging kids all over us, he told me it was fun, and you were only adult the scared my as much as my mom!
My reply was the title above!
I loved reading your book. How you keep you sanity...God Bless You!
But you opening statement, I said frequently! Thought it even more often, and occasionally in the middle of breakdowns said it. Needless to say, my kids were not even bothered. It led to questions which animals do that mom, wow so cool...and can we look this up at school. I asked to go PLEASE not. Fortunately, I was never once questioned about my children and our orthopedic trips. In the small town, everyone knew whose kids they were and the insane opportunities they took advantage of...
You have all my respect! You obviously did a wonderful and terrific job. As a wife, mother, and homeworker,(important to say, moms who stay home work hard)! You book was highly entertaining yet reflective for me. I remember throwing drink toward a child, as his younger brother was lying on floor have a tantrum, to which he asked for his drink, around 15 times or a million as I tried to remove youngest toma softer spot for his tantrum.
My favorite, the hotel and Miss Betsy...I have that happen. Take kids home or back, have sitter, and the had wonderful time, while I was hoping they would at least be slightly miserable!
Kudos! Dallas Louis, you rock, and your writing was exceptional! I loved the way you went back and forth, one it's how my mind works, secondly it is how we remember our children when they were small to adults. Everything circles back!
An exceptional read. Completely recommend, realistic, honest, and totally true! It will make you laugh, but most of remind you as a parent you are not the only one!
Karen
My eldest son is 39 going on 15, ot I hope at least 15. However, his best friend bought a house in our neighborhood, actually 2 doors down, and had been there almost 8 yrs now. I was talking to him one day about his dad's old truck and did he with to sell...
This ended up being a two hr conversation via texting ( which I hate), while he was at work. We agreed to discuss the truck I'm detail later, but last note was on how not to look in the past go forward because the past is gone. When past came up he brought up taking him and my boys (38 & 39), to the Olympics in Atlanta. He said they were evil, I replied no, just almost teenagers trying out my patience in mostly stupid and " You did what?" ways...
I said, I'm didn't stop me from throwing you in vehicle and taking you with us to whatever crazed idea I had. I've known him since he was two, he didn't scare me, (I had to almost 18 mo apart, his mom had 5 boys, her first two twins who were almost teens when youngest born.)
Chris, my son's bf, became an attachment to our house, bless his heart he was the quintessential middle child, and like my oldest his best friend, they didn't really get in trouble the started it and watched the fall out. As we were concluding My Insanity of dragging kids all over us, he told me it was fun, and you were only adult the scared my as much as my mom!
My reply was the title above!
I loved reading your book. How you keep you sanity...God Bless You!
But you opening statement, I said frequently! Thought it even more often, and occasionally in the middle of breakdowns said it. Needless to say, my kids were not even bothered. It led to questions which animals do that mom, wow so cool...and can we look this up at school. I asked to go PLEASE not. Fortunately, I was never once questioned about my children and our orthopedic trips. In the small town, everyone knew whose kids they were and the insane opportunities they took advantage of...
You have all my respect! You obviously did a wonderful and terrific job. As a wife, mother, and homeworker,(important to say, moms who stay home work hard)! You book was highly entertaining yet reflective for me. I remember throwing drink toward a child, as his younger brother was lying on floor have a tantrum, to which he asked for his drink, around 15 times or a million as I tried to remove youngest toma softer spot for his tantrum.
My favorite, the hotel and Miss Betsy...I have that happen. Take kids home or back, have sitter, and the had wonderful time, while I was hoping they would at least be slightly miserable!
Kudos! Dallas Louis, you rock, and your writing was exceptional! I loved the way you went back and forth, one it's how my mind works, secondly it is how we remember our children when they were small to adults. Everything circles back!
An exceptional read. Completely recommend, realistic, honest, and totally true! It will make you laugh, but most of remind you as a parent you are not the only one!
Karen
August 21, 2021
I am the complete opposite of this intended audience. I'm a proud DINK, living happily ever after with my husband and a feral cat. I love spending an hour or two with my nephews and niece, and when my friends bring their kids to play in my backyard for an hour I love to see them play. I also love kicking everyone out as soon as the kids start fighting and/or screaming. I absolutely can't stand when kids scream and as a childless adult once a kid lets loose with that ungodly shriek I can make their parent take them home, and go take a long nap in my quiet house. I have no tolerance for most churches, mommy groups etc. I think the idea of "camping" in an RV is hilarious. If my partner insisted on traveling four days a week for work I would force him to take the kids with him. In other words, this author and I have nothing in common, and probably would not be friends on the very slim chance that we ever crossed paths. Reading this book was a little like spying on someone in utter mystification about their chosen lifestyle, and feeling very, very happy in my own choices.
All that being said this book was decently written, although it went a little too far with its humor. Much like Erma Bombeck, or Dave Barry, snarky humor is the default of this book, and it's fine for a chapter, but then starts to get old. I thought it was cute the first time the author referred to herself as from "the South and the West." However her constantly saying that she was from "the South and the West" got tired and stupid the more she did it. I'm sure parents will appreciate her long involved stories cataloging every injury her kids ever had, but I had to skim through those parts because I got so bored after the first few paragraphs. I thought her marriage advice was unbelievably stupid, but I don't live her life, so it probably works for her. What I did like was her complete honesty about how much it sucks to raise little children. She does not sugar coat her experiences with pregnancy. (Three kids in 26 months, and you find out you're pregnant with your third the day your husband is getting a vasectomy!!!!!!!!!! I would have quit and moved to Alaska.) She is very frank about the miseries of being pregnant, the hardships of breast feeding, and the horror of losing so much sleep. She is honest about how much the antidepressant her doctor prescribed helped her. I also liked that she talks about her firm discipline with her children, and that married couples should not make their children the center of their universe, but also make time for themselves. (Which is why I am happy to baby sit my nephews and niece for an evening, to give their parents time to do something fun together.)
There were some good things in here, but this was NOT a book that spoke to me in any way.
All that being said this book was decently written, although it went a little too far with its humor. Much like Erma Bombeck, or Dave Barry, snarky humor is the default of this book, and it's fine for a chapter, but then starts to get old. I thought it was cute the first time the author referred to herself as from "the South and the West." However her constantly saying that she was from "the South and the West" got tired and stupid the more she did it. I'm sure parents will appreciate her long involved stories cataloging every injury her kids ever had, but I had to skim through those parts because I got so bored after the first few paragraphs. I thought her marriage advice was unbelievably stupid, but I don't live her life, so it probably works for her. What I did like was her complete honesty about how much it sucks to raise little children. She does not sugar coat her experiences with pregnancy. (Three kids in 26 months, and you find out you're pregnant with your third the day your husband is getting a vasectomy!!!!!!!!!! I would have quit and moved to Alaska.) She is very frank about the miseries of being pregnant, the hardships of breast feeding, and the horror of losing so much sleep. She is honest about how much the antidepressant her doctor prescribed helped her. I also liked that she talks about her firm discipline with her children, and that married couples should not make their children the center of their universe, but also make time for themselves. (Which is why I am happy to baby sit my nephews and niece for an evening, to give their parents time to do something fun together.)
There were some good things in here, but this was NOT a book that spoke to me in any way.
January 10, 2024
This is first time Dragon Feeder, Dallas Louis’s “Why Some Animals Eat Their Young”. This is an hilarious, sometimes bittersweet, look at modern motherhood from one who knows.
This may not seem like a Tea Time book but it is. It is an honest look and conversation about the good, the bad and the ugly of being a Mama to small children. Dallas had three in 26 months. We get to watch them grow up and join in the adventures, the scares and the heartache.
With chapters titled Disney, Alien Adventures and Other UFOs, You Shoved What Up Your Nose? you can’t be disappointed. This is the stuff of memories that Nestlings will remember and talk about long after they are grown.
In case you can’t tell, I loved this book. Give this to new mamas, old mamas, mamas of teens and mamas of babes. I have a mama or two I may send this to myself.
This may not seem like a Tea Time book but it is. It is an honest look and conversation about the good, the bad and the ugly of being a Mama to small children. Dallas had three in 26 months. We get to watch them grow up and join in the adventures, the scares and the heartache.
With chapters titled Disney, Alien Adventures and Other UFOs, You Shoved What Up Your Nose? you can’t be disappointed. This is the stuff of memories that Nestlings will remember and talk about long after they are grown.
In case you can’t tell, I loved this book. Give this to new mamas, old mamas, mamas of teens and mamas of babes. I have a mama or two I may send this to myself.
November 21, 2022
Not really relevant for me; only read it as part of a Kindle reading goal, hoping to find a humorous treat. I didn't find it especially funny - it had its bits, but not enough to make it great. Also: too many exclamation points for my taste, and a tad overbearing. So. "It was okay" fits the bill; readable but not fulfilling. I was also a wee bit appalled at her advice to "take the epidural". I had two children without the benefit of any pain abatement, and I say phooey to that statement. If there's not some major problem with your labor, tough it out, for heaven's sake. Your children can stomach countless broken bones and painful injuries, and you can't handle a natural and non-injurious childbirth? Get out.
October 23, 2023
This book was filled with relatable and funny motherhood moments. At one point I personally resented the husband for being away so often on business trips and leaving the author with most of the household and childcare responsibilities. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her. Still she shines a light over her own experiences and helps you understand that as mothers we’re all doing our best to raise our children which is comforting. At the end of the book she presents lovely family pictures which made me feel nostalgic as if I was looking at my own family pictures.
December 15, 2021
My first reaction: Erma Bombeck is reincarnated.
The author describes life as is... I still don't understand how she managed to survive with 3 babies so close together. She describes the ups and downs of motherhood with a great sense of humor, but she still manages to also impart solutions that can help other parents who might feel overwhelmed.
The author describes life as is... I still don't understand how she managed to survive with 3 babies so close together. She describes the ups and downs of motherhood with a great sense of humor, but she still manages to also impart solutions that can help other parents who might feel overwhelmed.
February 13, 2022
A fantastic book to make you feel maybe, just maybe you did ok.
Love loved this book. I am in my 70s have six grandchildren and still thought this book was a hoot. I am giving one to my daughter and 2 daughter-in-laws and a close friend. I also appreciate the fact that God was important in her life. Without Him we would never be able to pull it off.
Thanks for a great read
Love loved this book. I am in my 70s have six grandchildren and still thought this book was a hoot. I am giving one to my daughter and 2 daughter-in-laws and a close friend. I also appreciate the fact that God was important in her life. Without Him we would never be able to pull it off.
Thanks for a great read
March 8, 2023
At times poignant and funny, Dallas Louis retells her life after having 3 kids within a short period of time. Her sarcasm comes through in her writing.
You'll laugh, you'll cry and you may even get mad at her husband for being so busy all the time that it seemed as though she was a single parent at times.
You'll laugh, you'll cry and you may even get mad at her husband for being so busy all the time that it seemed as though she was a single parent at times.
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