Parenting Hell

by Rob Beckett, Josh Widdicombe

THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER THE MADNESS, ABSURDITY, AND UTTER CHAOS OF BEING A PARENT FROM THE HOSTS OF THE NO.1 SMASH HIT PODCAST.What's it really like to be a parent? And how come no one ever warned Rob or Josh of the sheer mind-bending, world-altering, sleep-depriving, sick-covering, tear-inducing, snot-wiping, bore-inspiring, 4am-relationship-straining brutality of it all? And if they did, why can't they remember it (or remember anything else, for that matter)?And just when they thought it couldn't get any harder, why didn't anyone warn them about the slices of unmatched euphoric joy and pride that occasionally come piercing through, drenching you in unbridled happiness in much the same way a badly burped baby drenches you in milk-sick?Join Josh and Rob as they share the challenges and madness of their parenting journeys with lashings of empathy and extra helpings of laughs. Filled with all the things they never tell you at antenatal classes, Parenting Hell is a beguiling mixture of humour, rumination and conversation for prospective parents, new parents, old parents and never-to-be parents alike.PRAISE FOR THE PARENTING HELL 'Fast, fun and, at times, genuinely touching' - Guardian'An hilarious cry for help from two dads overwhelmed by their own young families' - NME'Listen to Parenting Hell for the belly laughs' - Women's Health Mag

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Comedy, Parenting, Autobiography, Humor, Biography

308 pages, Hardcover

Published October 13, 2022

About the author

Robert Joseph Anthony Beckett is an English stand-up comedian, narrator and presenter.

Reviews

[Beccy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knocked this off in a day. Bought the audio book because I really wanted to listen to Rose, Lou, and both sets of parents. What I've concluded is that we need them to all feature on the podcast occasionally. So funny listening to Rose and Lou's take on parenting and I would 100% listen to them doing a podcast in their own right - move over you sexy, relatable beasts.

I also loved listening to Michaels bit but will end my day remembering Michael describe Josh as a "tender lover".

Fans of the podcast will love this.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

The comedic duo perfectly captured the thoughts and feelings of how life altering it really is when becoming a Dad, in this really refreshingly honest way.

There was so much in this book that resonated with me.
That constant feeling of being tired and describing it as like jetlag all the time was brilliantly put.

Obviously mum's do such an amazing job. It's ten times harder that working a normal job. (I know, as I was the stay at home parent for a year.)
But these guys talk about coming home from a job tired only to have an excited toddler jumping around all evening in such a relatable way.

Being a parent is the most amazing thing, though it's nice to be able to joke about all the little bumps along the way.
This mainly covers the early years and I also enjoyed the chapter on nurseries too.

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio Length: 8 hrs 25mins

I love the podcast and I saw the tour a couple of weeks ago and I loved it. I have been waiting to read for a while, but I wanted to listen to the audiobook over a physical book. As previously when I read a book that was based around the podcast, I found it a different expereince and I didn't enjoy. However, by listening to the audio it felt like you were listening to the podcast and It made the whole thing more enjoyable and I would highly recommend. Rob and Josh shine throughout and they bounce off each other- both giving honest along with a mixture of madness to what parenting is really like. I enjoyed the inclusion and views of Rose and Lou and Rob and Josh's parents.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in almost one go while lying in bed resting in my 36th week of my second pregnancy while my two and a half year old was at daycare. So pretty on brand for a book like this. Funny and clever - I enjoyed this a lot.

[Ellen Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUIDOBOOK 🎧 i consume worrying amount of podcasts atm so knew I would gobble this up!

super fun as always and really enjoyed the way this was recorded; they are sat together and make jabs / laugh about the other persons chapters which made it feel super chilled. I love Rob but I would say Josh’s chapters were slightly funnier and his delivery was generally a bit better, but can understand that’s not his forte!

4⭐️

[Lady Alexandrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had fun with this book, as a parent I knew what the authors were raving about. Josh and Rob made me laugh out loud so hard I cried. So, for me this book was a winner. If you want to laugh at parenting and other people experiences, and at yourself give this book a chance.

[Rachel Nisbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book a 4 star review for the audio book version due to the interviews with parents, wives and Michael, plus the off the cuff remarks and larking about between Rob and Josh during the reading of the book.
I’m not sure I would have enjoyed the read as much had I been reading the book myself, and would have given it a 3 star rating.
If you are a regular listener you will have heard a lot of the stuff before, and to be fair, I’m not sure I’m that interested in the early years of them becoming parents. I think I missed the purpose of the book and downloaded it as I had spare audible credits to use up.
Good luck to them though. It’s important to make hay while the sun shines after all.

[Mandy Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it, just like the podcast. I literally couldn't put it down and my kids are long long past the preschool stage. It's just so relatable - I don't even particularly like other people's kids and I think this is why this works. It's just like listening to J and R on the podcast, as if they're in the room with you.
Recommended

[Alex LB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw UK comedian Nish Kumar live recently, and he made a great joke about not expecting to be friends with so many millionaires at this point in his life, but who knew there would be so much money in podcasting. He then made a valid point, which is that his friends Rob and Josh have a very popular and successful podcast that isn't even very good. As a weekly listener who doesn't have children, even I can't explain why this podcast is in my top 3. It is not a great piece of journalism or a finely crafted comedy show. But Rob and Josh keep me company on errands and my many drives of less than 20 minutes when it is not worth it to get into a podcast that is actually about something.

All this to say, I love the Parenting Hell podcast and this book was just an extension of that. If you are going to read it, the audiobook is mandatory. It was at its best when Rob and Josh interacted with each other off-script during the recording. The chapters from Rob and Josh's wives and parents were highlights, both touching and hilarious. I appreciated the honesty around difficult topics such as infertility and pregnancy loss, which I don't recall being discussed in such detail on the podcast.

Do I actually love this podcast because of my exoticism of UK culture and because I am holding out for behind-the-scenes tidbits about the UK comedy scene? Did I get disproportionately excited when Rob and Josh started arguing about Taskmaster? Maybe. Is this an objectively good book? Maybe not. But it is heartfelt, sweet, funny, and very silly. Sometimes it is just nice to listen to two people talk about how much they love their families, even when that is hidden behind sarcasm and exhaustion, and be reminded that there is a lot of love in the world.

[Jenna PT · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Has to be the audiobook. I’m a huge Parenting Hell podcast fan. I’ve heard every episode and watched it live in April. It’s an absolute treat for the ears via audiobook. I have no doubt the actual book would be fantastic however the audiobook is the only true way to experience this I feel.

It’s funny. It’s naughty. And it’s bloody true! 5*

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very light hearted easy listen

This pair bounce off each other so well. It’s easy to think everything they say is exaggerated as that is just their way but lots of honesty about the ups and downs of parenting and lots of piss taking usually Rob or Josh

[jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so funny. I didnt realise they had a podcast on this so defo gonna add that to my list of podcasts to listen to and probs only get around to in 5 years time haha. I love both these comedians and have read Rob’s book in the past and really liked it. Really good as an audiobook too cos there’s extra little bits of them pissing around which makes it even better. Very good

[Crystal Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never listened to the their podcast, but I think I will now. Rob and Josh are hilarious in this audio book which often strays from the straight text of the written word. They prove that the parenting experience is the same for all of us but in a funny, lighthearted way that makes your own parenting hell a bit more tollerable.

[Helenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this on audio. I love the podcast and I loved the book too!

[Becca Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a bit more parenty than the podcast but still hilarious

[Nicola Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a huge fan of the podcast - saved me during a rough time when I had a lot of self doubt as a new parent. This book (especially the audio version which I recommend) is a great read for when you want to relate and laugh along to how parenting little kids can be.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy read which made me laugh at points.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious book with too many to count genuine laugh out loud moments!

[Dee B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny book based on the enjoyable podcast. Similarly to Josh Widicombes other book it’s lacking content and a bit repetitive. But it’s funny n places so if you enjoy the podcast you will probably like this too.

[Richard Morrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous, heartfelt and honest insight into what it can be like being a parent.

[Liquidwitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically felt like a really long podcast episode, and nothing groundbreaking but I do like the podcast and the wives chapters were good.

[Bryn Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flew through this in 2 and 1/2 days. Very easy read and full of laughter throughout.

[Fay Ollerhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable and hilarious. What a refreshing take on the joys of parenting! Fully recommend listening to the audio book.

[Poppy Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! I laughed out loud many times. I have a new born at the moment, so the timing of listening to this made it even better. Loved it & love the podcast

[Sapphire Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the audiobook/podcast format, I thought it made the book very personal. The additions from their wives and parents were great and it solidified for me that im never ever having a baby

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parenting Hell by Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe is a book based on the parenting podcast they run. They started it during lockdown as a way to share their parenting fails and interview other celebs on how they were finding parenting in lockdown. 


Since lockdown has finished they have continued the podcast, have taken the show on tour (I'm going next April, can't wait!!) And have now released this book. 


I love Rob and Josh, I listen to the podcast obsessively so the book was perfect for a fan like me! We had chapters from Rob and Josh in a conversational style, from their wives Lou and Rose, their parents and even their producer Michael! 


It's not a groundbreaking book, nor is it a parenting help book. It's a collection of funny anecdotes, a nice light-hearted read that you'll love if you enjoy the podcast! 

[Zoe Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious and a must read for any new parents! Helped me to come back down to reality and remember how precious time is with my little one. Thank you Rob and Josh for your honesty.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children are way beyond the pre school/early years stage (my youngest is 16). Yet this book was still so relatable. I had listened to a few of the podcasts before jumping into this book, and it really is a continuation of the conversation. The personalities of Rob and Josh come through in spades. (I do think it would be fantastic in audible format- just like an extended edition podcast). So clever, funny and honest! It helps the reader realise parenting is the hardest thing, but everyone is learning as they go. Bringing in the other points of view of spouses,parents and their producer was brilliant. Can't wait for the teenage years edition!

[Hannah Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely hilarious book! Piece of advice: Don’t read it with a sleeping newborn on your chest as you will repeatedly wake them up from laughing out loud so much. Sorry baby!

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

To follow on from the amazing podcast, I felt like I had to be a true fan and read the book. The book itself was wrote brilliantly, written in a script like form between Rob and Josh was perfection. If you listen to the podcast as I do, I was so ready to hear Lou and Rose’s side to some stories what are mentioned. The reason as to why I gave the book 3 stars is that even though it was hilarious, I just didn’t relate to it whatsoever as I don’t have children. I knew this going in to reading it but as I love the podcast so much I felt the urge to read it!