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Confessions of a Bad Mother
Confessions of a Bad In the aisle by the chill cabinet no-one can hear you scream Calman, Stephanie
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First published September 2, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
May 13, 2012
I found this enduring and really refreshing to read about ordinary everyday motherhood. So much more educational then reading stupid baby mannuals, it definately brings you back to reality. Ok not everyone can afford childcare or not 'work' but there is the general sense of universal feelings that mothers can potential have and it is quite comforting to know your not alone.
May 5, 2012
No fim conclui-se o que todas as mães não-desnaturadas concluem: ser mãe é assustadoramente maravilhoso e envolvente. Nunca mais a nossa vida será a mesma porque há alguém muito mais importante na nossa vida do que alguma vez imaginámos. Porque a nossa entrega é total de corpo, alma e coração. Porque ser mãe é arrebatador.
Esta mãe, de desnaturada, não tem nada.
Ainda assim o livro não é mais reconfortante que o chocolate nem mais libertador que a pílula - para mim. Mas acredito que para ela tenha sido. (03-05-2012)
Uma mãe que desnaturada não tem nada. Uma mulher que nunca pensou nem desejou ter filhos que se vê a braços com dois bebés sem fazer a menor ideia onde estão os manuais de instruções deles. (02-05-2012)
Continuo sem ter encontrado nada mais reconforntate que o chocolate ou libetador que a pílula, encontro apenas aquilo que a autora não quer ver em si mesma: que é mãe! (30-04-2012)
Até agora ainda não encontrei nada neste livro que seja mais reconfortante que o chocolate nem mais libertador que a pílula... Enfim, devo ser eu que estou ao contrário! (26-04-2012)
Esta mãe, de desnaturada, não tem nada.
Ainda assim o livro não é mais reconfortante que o chocolate nem mais libertador que a pílula - para mim. Mas acredito que para ela tenha sido. (03-05-2012)
Uma mãe que desnaturada não tem nada. Uma mulher que nunca pensou nem desejou ter filhos que se vê a braços com dois bebés sem fazer a menor ideia onde estão os manuais de instruções deles. (02-05-2012)
Continuo sem ter encontrado nada mais reconforntate que o chocolate ou libetador que a pílula, encontro apenas aquilo que a autora não quer ver em si mesma: que é mãe! (30-04-2012)
Até agora ainda não encontrei nada neste livro que seja mais reconfortante que o chocolate nem mais libertador que a pílula... Enfim, devo ser eu que estou ao contrário! (26-04-2012)
May 1, 2012
What a horrible woman the author seems. Don't see why she bothered to have children in the first place, other than they were the only thing she didn't already own in her spoilt and superficial world and she fancied having a go. She comes across as being utterly devoid of any emotions relating to her kids - from the pregnancy, the birth, bonding with the children or parenthood in general. I'm glad the kids have a nanny and childminder as role models!! I don't see how anything written in this book relates to the average mother at all. There is a difference between finding motherhood hard-work and treating it with utter disdain as she does. Hated it!
November 15, 2012
Brilliant and funny- a must for any Mum who sees the world outwith wearing full make up and high heels on the school run.
January 1, 2019
Time taken to read - in and out over 10 days
Pages - 324
Publisher - MacMillan
Source - given by a friend
Blurb from Goodreads
Funny, acutely observed, frighteningly honest and drawing on her own and hundreds of other mum's real experiences, Stephanie Calman serves up the perfect antidote to all those books that tell you that your children must be perfect, and to all those Stepford mums and kids out there who look as if they just might be: perfectly groomed, perfectly behaved and perfectly brilliant. The reality, as we all know, encompasses sleepless nights, no sex for years, baby sick on your best cashmere cardy, the terrible twos and then, just when you thought it was safe to go back in the sitting room, terrible teenagers whose only means of communication is the slamming door or the grunt.
My review
Two kids fighting, milestones, the impact they have on your relationship, the impact on your life. Here is the no holds barred account by one mother on her journey, pre motherhood, pregnancy and when the journey of her children taking over her life.
There is a fair bit of humour through her tellings but I imagine a fair few people will be raging, annoyed, upset at some of the banter throughout. She gives a stripped account of her failings, how she and her o/h cope with tantrums, their own relationship after the kids. It is parenting stripped bare, the things a lot of parents would never admit to, thinking, saying, feeling.
For me I think some of it has flashes of humour that if it was snippets in a weekly magazine it would be, for me, better received. As it is a book I felt some of it a wee bit uncomfortable reading and as a non parent I am sure that sounds judgey. I laughed at bits some parents would wince or be enraged at, I get the humour and the whole taboo of admitting your kids aren't 100% perfect nor is she the perfect parent. I think the honestly will generate love and hate from camps in equal measures depending on your view point.
It is a funny, brutal and honest book and whilst I didn't love it I know so many will. Parenting with a light shone on it, I think a lot of parents will read it and whisper ha it isn't just me or blow a gasket thinking people actually think/talk about/to their kids like that. I don't know how I feel about it to be honest, I don't hate it, I don't love it. Some days I read and really liked bits of it, some days I really didn't. A lot of it I think is tongue in cheek and if you take it for what it is you will like it, some have loved it. I think 2.5/5 for me this time, absolutely check it out, see which camp you fall into.
Pages - 324
Publisher - MacMillan
Source - given by a friend
Blurb from Goodreads
Funny, acutely observed, frighteningly honest and drawing on her own and hundreds of other mum's real experiences, Stephanie Calman serves up the perfect antidote to all those books that tell you that your children must be perfect, and to all those Stepford mums and kids out there who look as if they just might be: perfectly groomed, perfectly behaved and perfectly brilliant. The reality, as we all know, encompasses sleepless nights, no sex for years, baby sick on your best cashmere cardy, the terrible twos and then, just when you thought it was safe to go back in the sitting room, terrible teenagers whose only means of communication is the slamming door or the grunt.
My review
Two kids fighting, milestones, the impact they have on your relationship, the impact on your life. Here is the no holds barred account by one mother on her journey, pre motherhood, pregnancy and when the journey of her children taking over her life.
There is a fair bit of humour through her tellings but I imagine a fair few people will be raging, annoyed, upset at some of the banter throughout. She gives a stripped account of her failings, how she and her o/h cope with tantrums, their own relationship after the kids. It is parenting stripped bare, the things a lot of parents would never admit to, thinking, saying, feeling.
For me I think some of it has flashes of humour that if it was snippets in a weekly magazine it would be, for me, better received. As it is a book I felt some of it a wee bit uncomfortable reading and as a non parent I am sure that sounds judgey. I laughed at bits some parents would wince or be enraged at, I get the humour and the whole taboo of admitting your kids aren't 100% perfect nor is she the perfect parent. I think the honestly will generate love and hate from camps in equal measures depending on your view point.
It is a funny, brutal and honest book and whilst I didn't love it I know so many will. Parenting with a light shone on it, I think a lot of parents will read it and whisper ha it isn't just me or blow a gasket thinking people actually think/talk about/to their kids like that. I don't know how I feel about it to be honest, I don't hate it, I don't love it. Some days I read and really liked bits of it, some days I really didn't. A lot of it I think is tongue in cheek and if you take it for what it is you will like it, some have loved it. I think 2.5/5 for me this time, absolutely check it out, see which camp you fall into.
January 7, 2022
The Ideal Light Listen
🧡 Finding the funny in the everyday is amongst my favourite types of comedy. That’s what Stephanie Calman has done here in respect of motherhood. The sleeplessness, hospital trips, school politics, every aspect of having children is lightheartedly explored.
💚 The bit I found most relatable was the jump from one child to two. She mirrored my feelings about it almost exactly.
💜 This is more a series of anecdotes or a meander down motherhood lane than a story with a concrete plot. I’m a fan of this style, but not everyone will be.
Soundbite
🎧Authors reading their own work can be cringey. Not so here. Stephanie Caulman has a very Gabrielle Glaister quality to her performance. It came across as affable and fun.
🎧 This is the very definition of an easy listen. You can drop in, drop out and you won’t be lost.
Shall I Compare Thee To...
This is the closest I have found to the hilarious Why Mummy series, even down to the narration.
Find more bird’s eye view audiobooks reviews at Audiobooks Nest.
January 23, 2022
There was some funny elements to this book and it is very refreshing to read about a mother who is not perfect. However, this dichotomy in books about motherhood with the rosy books written by perfect mother's who have perfect children and enjoy every second of motherhood as opposed to the books written by bad mothers who hate every second of it and struggle with everything is getting a bit tiring
Focusing on only the bad doesn't seem any more real than focusing only on the food and it would be nice to have a more nuanced account
That being said, the book was published in 2005 and maybe Stephanie Calman was a pioneer in this genre
Focusing on only the bad doesn't seem any more real than focusing only on the food and it would be nice to have a more nuanced account
That being said, the book was published in 2005 and maybe Stephanie Calman was a pioneer in this genre
July 13, 2017
Not usually the kind of thing I read but picked it up from the second hand bookshelf in Tesco and gave it a go.
A funny, honest, liberating account of a woman and her life with 2 children.
Refreshing to read something that is not showing life with children as being perfect.
Hilarious in places, I even (annoyingly) read a couple of sentences out to my work colleagues 😂.
Worth a go as a refreshing funny breather between thrillers!
A funny, honest, liberating account of a woman and her life with 2 children.
Refreshing to read something that is not showing life with children as being perfect.
Hilarious in places, I even (annoyingly) read a couple of sentences out to my work colleagues 😂.
Worth a go as a refreshing funny breather between thrillers!
January 24, 2025
Yes, there were some funny moments, but I felt like this book was a giant rush to squeeze in a bunch of random information that didn’t always link. The book felt like chaos…maybe that was the point? Given she was describing her chaotic life? I was waiting for the plot to develop the entire time but it never did. So many references to people, shows, movies, etc. of which I knew none. Just not a great book overall.
February 21, 2017
A really good read.
July 3, 2017
This book was fabulous and any working mother will be able to relate and enjoy. Funny too!
August 2, 2017
Easy reading, love the conversational tone! Made me laugh out loud a few times! Would recommend to anyone who just needs a chill read.
January 22, 2018
Odd amusing bits but mainly painful to read. I felt sorry for the husband nd the children. I hope the children never read it as the seems so unwanted. Sad story of wealth folks so called problems.
September 16, 2019
Some laugh out loud moments but mostly trying to make the mundane sound funny. Yes, we are all bad mothers, yes everything you are going through the rest of us have too, in various guises...
October 2, 2019
Accurate and very funny.
December 21, 2021
Parts of this I loved and found relatable.
Think parts dragged at times for me. But interested to try authors other books..
Think parts dragged at times for me. But interested to try authors other books..
February 19, 2022
Had lots of laugh out loud moments. Very relatable and also interesting to see what has and hasnt changed over the last couple of decades. Could not out it down.
January 28, 2023
Boring. Although I could relates to some of if I didn't find book funny.
Read
August 27, 2023Io ho letto "confessioni di una mamma imbranata" ma cmq per tenere traccia salvo questo...
October 16, 2023
All mothers should read this and yes its funny and true .This mother does it her way and she does get in an awkward way that makes you laugh.
January 23, 2024
Amusing, and just about how every mum feels. I enjoyed this read.
June 25, 2024
Dreadful
July 27, 2025
A nice read! I found it realistic, and nice to read a book that doesn’t sugarcoat motherhood all the while not being regretful of the state itself either.
August 22, 2016
At first I hated it. She was mean, cold hearted and horrid. But now I want to find her, and high five her and get her signature tattooed on my chest. OK a slight exaggeration on that last part, but hells bells she knocked the ball out of the park with this book!
This is not a sugar coated guide to parenting, this is a snap shot of the real world, a look into the life of a woman, who for all intents and purposes should never have become a mother, at least, that's what she tries to convince the reader, and herself. The first few chapters left me thinking I'd misread the title. It felt more like a guide to convincing yourself kids are just a nuisance and why no-one should ever want them
As life would have it though, it takes one small mistake for her world to come crumbling down. And as the reader we have the pleasure of watching her try to build it all back up. With modifications. This is when Calman's hilarious sense of humour kicks in and we get to enjoy the truth about how moms actually think, and feel. I am still amazed at just how much of myself I could see in her own story, there was a camaraderie I felt building with each new chapter.
Calman is blunt, realistic and hilarious. She connects with the anxious side of parents and shows them that, guess what, there's more of us f***ing up out there! We are not alone! We all hate the same kiddies TV shows, and songs, and books, and tantrums, and are all experiencing the exact same tug-o-war of emotions when those little demons say their first word, or fall of the couch (or down the stairs), again.
AS A SIDE NOTE: Books like this will always be met with the two camps of parents. It doesn't matter what you do or don't do, there will always be someone who does the opposite to you, and will tell you in not so many words that you are a shit parent. I think Motherhood introduces us to a whole new world of personalities and opinions, this book proves it, and what we all need to do is juts breathe, empathise and move on.
If you love your kids, and feed them, and clothe them, and still somehow have them kissing you goodnight even after you've shouted and tantrumed at them - YOU'RE A GOOD PARENT.
This is not a sugar coated guide to parenting, this is a snap shot of the real world, a look into the life of a woman, who for all intents and purposes should never have become a mother, at least, that's what she tries to convince the reader, and herself. The first few chapters left me thinking I'd misread the title. It felt more like a guide to convincing yourself kids are just a nuisance and why no-one should ever want them
As life would have it though, it takes one small mistake for her world to come crumbling down. And as the reader we have the pleasure of watching her try to build it all back up. With modifications. This is when Calman's hilarious sense of humour kicks in and we get to enjoy the truth about how moms actually think, and feel. I am still amazed at just how much of myself I could see in her own story, there was a camaraderie I felt building with each new chapter.
Calman is blunt, realistic and hilarious. She connects with the anxious side of parents and shows them that, guess what, there's more of us f***ing up out there! We are not alone! We all hate the same kiddies TV shows, and songs, and books, and tantrums, and are all experiencing the exact same tug-o-war of emotions when those little demons say their first word, or fall of the couch (or down the stairs), again.
AS A SIDE NOTE: Books like this will always be met with the two camps of parents. It doesn't matter what you do or don't do, there will always be someone who does the opposite to you, and will tell you in not so many words that you are a shit parent. I think Motherhood introduces us to a whole new world of personalities and opinions, this book proves it, and what we all need to do is juts breathe, empathise and move on.
If you love your kids, and feed them, and clothe them, and still somehow have them kissing you goodnight even after you've shouted and tantrumed at them - YOU'RE A GOOD PARENT.
August 17, 2012
Lesley for Big Book Little Book
It was the above byline that grabbed my attention. I was feeling particularly annoyed with my own children and huffing and puffing to myself as I went in to the charity shop, started browsing the books. I saw this book, read the byline, said ‘aha’ loudly and maniacally and marched off to the til to pay my 50 pence!
I like Stephanie Calman’s writing. I’ve not come across her before but she writes regularly in a couple of national newspapers as well as books. She also has a website; Bad Mothers Club .
This book is in fact her own story of how she came to get married and have children and the experience of trying to parent two toddlers and never feeling she gets it quite right. I’d picked it up thinking it was fiction, but after an initial slight disappointment that it wasn’t I got stuck in and and quickly started to enjoy Stephanie’s witty writing and sheer honesty about the pitfalls and stresses of trying to raise children without losing your sanity entirely!
There are many funny stories, moments that have made me groan in recognition and others that have had me giggling nonstop.
This is an older book but it’s made me want to look out for other books that she’s written and I may even stumble on to the ‘bad mothers’ website to add a story or two of my own!
Verdict: A witty and entertaining read.
It was the above byline that grabbed my attention. I was feeling particularly annoyed with my own children and huffing and puffing to myself as I went in to the charity shop, started browsing the books. I saw this book, read the byline, said ‘aha’ loudly and maniacally and marched off to the til to pay my 50 pence!
I like Stephanie Calman’s writing. I’ve not come across her before but she writes regularly in a couple of national newspapers as well as books. She also has a website; Bad Mothers Club .
This book is in fact her own story of how she came to get married and have children and the experience of trying to parent two toddlers and never feeling she gets it quite right. I’d picked it up thinking it was fiction, but after an initial slight disappointment that it wasn’t I got stuck in and and quickly started to enjoy Stephanie’s witty writing and sheer honesty about the pitfalls and stresses of trying to raise children without losing your sanity entirely!
There are many funny stories, moments that have made me groan in recognition and others that have had me giggling nonstop.
This is an older book but it’s made me want to look out for other books that she’s written and I may even stumble on to the ‘bad mothers’ website to add a story or two of my own!
Verdict: A witty and entertaining read.
November 8, 2009
Written in the easy-going, conversational style of girlfriends having a chat; Confessions Of A Bad Mother is an entertaining look at the trials & tribulations of parenthood. And while I'm not sure everyone can identify with a stay-at-home mom who still affords in-home childcare and private schools, we can all relate to long, sleepless nights, nightmarish family holidays and the constant pressure to get it right.
Stephanie Calman does a fantastic job of making us feel better about our parenting foibles. After all, here's an articulate, funny mother of two willingly confessing to faux pas like neglecting to take her son to the dentist for two years and enjoying a 4-pina-colada evening in her first trimester.
And while at times I felt my attention wandering, I believe that any parent could (and should) find something to relate to here.
Stephanie Calman does a fantastic job of making us feel better about our parenting foibles. After all, here's an articulate, funny mother of two willingly confessing to faux pas like neglecting to take her son to the dentist for two years and enjoying a 4-pina-colada evening in her first trimester.
And while at times I felt my attention wandering, I believe that any parent could (and should) find something to relate to here.
January 30, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! As a 'bad mother' myself I completely identified with the problems and mistakes that Stephanie Calman made while bringing up her children. I confess that at times I have given my children processed food. I didn't breastfeed them until they were 25, in fact, I didn't breastfeed two of them at all! I have, rarely, but yes, I have smacked them and I have given them inappropriate toys at inappropriate ages. What a relief to find I'm not the only mother to have used TV as a babysitter or felt godawful guilt for leaving them with a babysitter while I enjoy some adult time. What a relief to find that there are other mothers just like me who take shortcuts! So, if you are a bad mother or you doubt that you are a good mother you should definitely read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2015
Mint gyakorló anyának, aki szintén hajlamos kisebb-nagyobb krízisekben okkal vagy ok nélkül magát hibáztatni és ostorozni, mert nem elég jó szülő, kellemes felüdülést hozott a könyv. Ugyanakkor az ilyen stílusú könyvek, internetes fórumok, blogok olvasása után már kezd felvetődni bennem az a kérdés, hogy vajon nem a „bezzeg anyák”-e az urban legends. Mert akiket én olvasok/ismerek azok mind a hagyományos anyaképtől elég messzire vannak.
Részletesebben: http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/20...
Részletesebben: http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/20...
September 8, 2016
Odlehčená pravda o mateřství, o těhotenských šatech, porodních názorech, dětských sestrách a Období klidu, které neexistuje a nikdy se ho už nedočkáte, jakmile si pořídíte jednou dítě. Autorka by měla dostat bod za odvahu a otevřenost to všechno napsat.
Je to hodnotnější kniha než její sestřička s českým názvem "Deník nemožné matky" ("Confessions Of A Failed Grown Up: Bad Motherhood And Beyond", pokud se nemýlím) od stejné autorky.
Kdyby vynechala některé nudné části, smrksla by se kniha o pětinu, ale dala bych 5 hvězd.
Je to hodnotnější kniha než její sestřička s českým názvem "Deník nemožné matky" ("Confessions Of A Failed Grown Up: Bad Motherhood And Beyond", pokud se nemýlím) od stejné autorky.
Kdyby vynechala některé nudné části, smrksla by se kniha o pětinu, ale dala bych 5 hvězd.
July 31, 2011
My elder daughter gave me this as a Mothers Day gift, much to the horror of her friends, who thought it unsuitable! Luckily she knew better. I loved it, recognised myself over and over and laughed aloud often. The mothers that we are led to aspire to be don't live outside the pages of glossy magazine articles I don't think. Most of us muddle along being "good enough" mothers. In my case it produced five living, healthy, sane adults so am certainly not gonna knock it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews