Calm the h*ck down: how to let go and lighten up about parenting

Book Cover
Average Rating
Publisher
Atria Paperback
Publication Date
2020.
Language
English

Description

From author and speaker Melanie Dale comes a laugh-out-loud hilarious parenting book that teaches you how to dial back the stress of raising children with the simple premise that we all just need to lighten up a little bit. Most of us thought we’d be amazing parents—and then we had kids. Now we spend what little free time we have comparing ourselves to other parents, comparing our kids to other kids, and panicking that everyone else is nailing it except us. Between constant social media postings to conflicting advice found in parenting books, we often have no choice but to freak out. But there is another way. We all just need to calm the h*ck down. Melanie Dale—a special needs parent, adoptive parent, in vitro parent, and reluctant cheer mom—believes we are all putting too much pressure on ourselves and our kids to be perfect. Instead, she argues, we need to take a step back so we can actually enjoy this journey called parenting. Calm the H*ck Down is filled with stories from Melanie’s own life, as well as real-life research for learning how to lighten up about every aspect of parenting—from poopy diapers and germs to family vacations and adolescent angst. She also discusses the pressure to knock it all out of the Pinterest park, the challenge of instilling some kind of faith into your kids, and worrying about their future while still trying to live in the present. Infused with quirky humor, profound insight, and accessible advice, Calm the H*ck Down gives you the permission to finally relax and enjoy this ridiculous thing we do called parenting.

More Details

ISBN
9781982114367

Table of Contents

From the Book - First Atria Paperback edition.

Calm the h*ck down: lighten up about expectations
I'm sorry for raising monsters: lighten up about behavior
Talking is hard: lighten up about words
But what if I want to miss part of my kid's childhood?: lighten up about work
Can everyone please notice how awesome I am?: lighten up about yourself
Sleep, eat, poop, repeat: lighten up about bodily functions
Mommy needs a time-out: lighten up about feelings
People are super awkward, including you: lighten up about friends
What happens in the backpack stays in the backpack: lighten up about school
Go team win the sportsball!: lighten up about activities
Celebrate good times, or don't: lighten up about making memories
When armpits awaken: lighten up about big kids
I hope I still like you after they're gone: lighten up about marriage
"Mom, you only had sex the one time, right?": lighten up about sex
I worry my kids will be satanists: lighten up about belief
This too shall pass: lighten up about the future
The lighten up guidelines for laughing at life.

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Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Many new parents feel the need to read every book, and purchase every device, in hopes of raising the happiest baby on the block. The sooner parents realize that no one really knows what they're doing, and kids are who they are no matter your parenting style, the better. Author, speaker and mother of three, Dale learned this the hard way, and wants to let everyone in on a little secret: Calm the H*ck Down. Not just during the early years of parenting, either: the real trick, according to Dale, is to lighten up about everything. From bodily functions and friendships to school and beliefs, nothing should be taken too seriously. Beyond the kids, Dale advises readers to cut themselves and their partners a break, too, and try to find ways to laugh and enjoy the ride together. With brutal honesty and dry wit, Dale's hilarious, relatable and most of all helpful book will give parents a good laugh (just when we could all use one) and remind them that this, too, shall pass.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

In this amusing work, Dale (It's Not Fair), a podcaster and mother of three, urges fellow parents to lighten up, warns against "competitive parenting," and recommends setting realistic goals. For instance, rather than spending precious time on homemade lunches, Dale lets her kids purchase their meal at school: "What happens with the food they buy is between them, their mouths, and the garbage can." Likewise, parents can get carried away with kids' craft projects, but Dale suggests "cheating," such as purchasing a prefab gingerbread house kit (her go-to during the Christmas season). For birthday parties, Dale's theme is "zero clean-up," which, depending on a child's age, could mean a movie or a trip to a fast food restaurant, rather than an elaborate, parent-executed celebration at home. Though Dale is funny and lighthearted, she offers valuable tips on talking to kids about sex, inspiring them to do chores, and encouraging them to read (she's not above bribery) among other subjects. Dale's humorous outlook is a refreshing change from the more somber parenting books out there. Laughter is important in Dale's family, and readers of her entertaining guide will find it's contagious, too. Agent: Kathryn Helmers, Creative Trust. (Aug.)

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
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Booklist Reviews

Many new parents feel the need to read every book, and purchase every device, in hopes of raising the happiest baby on the block. The sooner parents realize that no one really knows what they're doing, and kids are who they are no matter your parenting style, the better. Author, speaker and mother of three, Dale learned this the hard way, and wants to let everyone in on a little secret: Calm the H*ck Down. Not just during the early years of parenting, either: the real trick, according to Dale, is to lighten up about everything. From bodily functions and friendships to school and beliefs, nothing should be taken too seriously. Beyond the kids, Dale advises readers to cut themselves and their partners a break, too, and try to find ways to laugh and enjoy the ride together. With brutal honesty and dry wit, Dale's hilarious, relatable and most of all helpful book will give parents a good laugh (just when we could all use one) and remind them that this, too, shall pass. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

In this amusing work, Dale (It's Not Fair), a podcaster and mother of three, urges fellow parents to lighten up, warns against "competitive parenting," and recommends setting realistic goals. For instance, rather than spending precious time on homemade lunches, Dale lets her kids purchase their meal at school: "What happens with the food they buy is between them, their mouths, and the garbage can." Likewise, parents can get carried away with kids' craft projects, but Dale suggests "cheating," such as purchasing a prefab gingerbread house kit (her go-to during the Christmas season). For birthday parties, Dale's theme is "zero clean-up," which, depending on a child's age, could mean a movie or a trip to a fast food restaurant, rather than an elaborate, parent-executed celebration at home. Though Dale is funny and lighthearted, she offers valuable tips on talking to kids about sex, inspiring them to do chores, and encouraging them to read (she's not above bribery) among other subjects. Dale's humorous outlook is a refreshing change from the more somber parenting books out there. Laughter is important in Dale's family, and readers of her entertaining guide will find it's contagious, too. Agent: Kathryn Helmers, Creative Trust. (Aug.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly.
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