Hello, My Name Is Mommy: The Dysfunctional Girl's Guide to Having, Loving (and Hopefully Not Screwing Up) a Baby

by Sheri Lynch

Hilarious and true and inspirational, Hello, My Name is Mommy is for every pregnant woman and new mother who ever felt helpless and out of control instead of confident and aglow.

Sure, women know pregnancy is no bed of roses, but Lynch taps into her own dysfunctional childhood and fears about becoming a mom to label a much profounder worry many moms-to-be that their own pasts were so screwed up that they're doomed to repeat the cycle. Dr. Spock may tell moms to trust their instincts, but Lynch's Misfit Mommies want to do every last thing but that. They feel like frauds and imposters, and Lynch's real-girl's voice will be instantly recognizable to them. Lynch will walk and talk new moms through it from lamenting the hot dogs and second-hand smoke they were raised on (and, of course, "you turned out just fine") to the realization that kids are kind of germy and gross (but feeling that way doesn't make one a bad mother) to keeping it together at work with Cheerios in the old nursing bra.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Humor, Biography Memoir, Memoir

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2004

Reviews

[Alyssa Dresen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it three years before I had a baby and then again during my pregnancy because I like to think Sheri Lynch is actually my best friend. I love this woman so much and felt like the entire book was written just for me. Highly recommend to any mom-to-be with unresolved childhood trauma who wants to be the best mom possible.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it seems odd that a single, child-less woman would be reading this, but anyone who knows me knows that Sheri Lynch is my hero, and I bought this book specifically so she would sign it at a luncheon she attended. It's very Sheri, although it starts out much darker than I thought it would. I sent it to a pregnant cousin without reading it first, and that probably wasn't a great idea. She must think I'm a wackadoo. But it's a useful book, even sans baby, and her humor really comes through. Not so much funny as practical and pragmatic, and she really undercuts the BS that happens when you get pregnant and all the emotions that go along with it. I'm looking forward to reading her follow-up (of course I have that too!)

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't really like the whole "what to expect when you're expecting" book. If you want logical advise on having a child, this isn't necessarily the pick you should choose. However, if you want to laugh your ass off and feel like you're not alone in those "devil on your shoulder" type thoughts, or those increadibly embarassing moments and want someone to be sarcastic and brash with you, then this is the first book you want when pregant! I thought it was excellent!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A no-holds-barred memoir/how-to/funny guide to pregnancy and having a baby. I bought this because the author is a morning radio show host in Charlotte, whom I listened to frequently when I lived in the area. She is hysterical and provides a refreshing look to parenthood. I recommend this book to ALL women, even those (like me!) who aren't considering parenthood anytime soon.

[librarygeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute look at motherhood from popular radio personality Sheri Lynch. Though she includes a good bit of general info on fertility, pregnancy, etc., that's not a reason to read the book. It's her take on (and fears about)raising a child after growing up in a dysfunctional family that hit home - particularly if you count yourself among that group. Light, uncomplicated, quick read.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Afraid of burning her, I made her bath water too cold. Afraid of starving her, I woke her repeatedly to eat. Afraid of dropping her, I squeezed her too tightly."

The first bath I gave Faith was bad. She was freezing because it took me so long. She looked at me like, "Please find someone that knows what in the world they're doing."

[Gingeraltoids · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister gave me this hilarious book by a Charlotte, NC, radio personality to read after I expressed a new-found desire to procreate. I read most of it during my return trip to Philly, and laughed out loud repeatedly in the gate area, on the tarmac, in the air and was done by the time I landed in the City of Brotherly Love. A must-read for anyone who thinks they might be a Misfit Mom.

[Katelynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - A humorous and honest account of motherhood.

[Rebecca Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book 20ish years ago. It was extremely helpful. It helped me get through the abject terror that I was going to fail.. my kids are great.. and I changed our story.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a little bit tired of the word 'Misfit' by the end of it, but it was a funny and entertaining read. I do not have, nor am I expecting a baby and I still enjoyed reading it and getting honest tales of what happens during and after. I am a fan of the radio show which is why I ordered this book in the first place, but I think anyone could appreciate what Lynch has to say. It's a quick read and definitely worth it!

[Amy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! A humorous and realistic look at pregnancy and raising an infant. It's geared toward those mommies who may have had a less than ideal upbringing, those who might doubt their ability to raise a healthy and happy child. It was empowering and uplifting.

P.S. I love Sheri Lynch. She's so funny on her morning radio program!

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uh, I didn't love this book. Maybe it is meant more for weird dysfunctional people than me, the perfect specimen of motherhood. I don't know. Just didn't love it, and didn't love her point of view of the world.

[Regina Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was an easy, light read and very informative. I feel much more confident about becoming a mom after reading this book. While I did not agree with everything she said, I liked the way she added humor and told personal stories. The book was exactly like I hoped it would be.

[Gerrie Romano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. Any mother will relate to this book. A fun read.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

So funny! A good reminder that depsite the best laid plans and organization no one is perfect :)

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many good points regarding being a mommy. Most importantly, "Nobody's perfect, mommy or not," and I have a lot to learn and look forward to.

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tad less Yummy Mummy, and it would be perfect.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny! Love the radio show too!

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, apparently I'm not a dysfunctional girl. That's a relief.

Library copy.

[Mark Feggeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny stuff. Read it several years back when my kids were younger.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative & humorous. A decent addition to the stack of pregnancy books most women are bound to buy.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A baby book for the rest of us. You know, the women who put the fun in dysfunctional childhood.