Scary Mommy's Guide to Surviving the Holidays


Book Description

From New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed “Scary Mommy” blogger Jill Smokler comes a funny and practical guide filled with essays, recipes, and tried-and-true tips sure to get any parent through the holiday season—without losing your marbles. Ah, the holidays: a time of joy, celebration, serenity, and peace… Unless, of course, you have whiny, screaming children demanding presents, attention, and a personal appearance by Santa or Judah the Maccabee. Then you’re screwed. But wait, there’s hope: Scary Mommy Guide to Surviving the Holidays to the rescue! Yes, in this handy holiday guide, you’ll find everything you need to survive the fall/winter rush of cheer in style, and without having a mental breakdown. From relatable, hilarious essays on everything from the Santa myth to being seated at the dreaded kids’ table, to easy-to-follow recipes that might include just a little something special to take the edge off (can anyone say Kahlua?), to fun and accessible gift ideas, this book is your ticket to peace of mind—and a laugh—during the busy, crazy holiday season!




This Is Not My Beautiful Life


Book Description

ONE OF PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S TEN MOST ANTICIPATED MEMOIRS OF THE SEASON IF YOU THINK IT SUCKS TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS WHEN YOU’RE THIRTY-SIX AND NINE MONTHS PREGNANT, JUST WAIT TILL THE DEA COMES KNOCKING (WITH THE IRS IN TOW): WELCOME TO VICTORIA FEDDEN’S LIFE. When a squad of federal agents burst through her parents’ front door, Victoria Fedden felt ill-prepared to meet them: She was weeks away from her due date and her T-shirt wasn’t long enough to hide her maternity undies. As for the question of how to raise a child when you’ve just discovered that your mother and stepfather have allegedly masterminded a pump-and-dump scheme? She was pretty sure that wasn’t covered in What to Expect When You’re Expecting—and she really hoped that Bradford Cohen, the noted criminal defense attorney who famously waived his exemption on The Apprentice, would prove them innocent. This Is Not My Beautiful Life is the story of how Victoria lost her parents to prison and nearly lost her mind. No one ever said motherhood would be easy, but as she struggles to change diapers, install car seats, and find the right drop-off line at pre-school—no easy task, when each one is named for a stage in the lifecycle of a f*cking butterfly—she’s also forced to ask herself whether a jump-suit might actually complement her mom’s platinum-blonde extensions and fend off the cast of shady, stranger-than-fiction characters (like the recovering addict who scored a reality show when he started an escort service for women) who populated her parents’ world. A real-life Arrested Development that could only unfold in southern Florida, This Is Not My Beautiful Life is a hilariously funny and unexpectedly moving memoir of a just-functional family you’ll never forget.




The Herstories Project


Book Description

The bonds of women's friendship can be more intimate than marriage, and just as essential to emotional health. From the childhood friend who broke your heart to the college roommate who witnessed you at your highest and lowest, from the lost friendship that ended bitterly to the devoted companion who is still in your life, from the bond that was forged due to shared grief to the shaky connection born with new motherhood, all women have stories to tell about their friendships. The HerStories Project: Women Explore the Joy, Pain, and Power of Female Friendship is a collection of essays from over 50 women writers, encompassing tales of friendship from the sandbox to the inbox. The book includes a foreword from Jill Smokler of Scary Mommy and several chapters on understanding friendship from friendship experts Shasta Nelson and Carlin Flora. In this book, you will read stories of childhood friendship, relationships between sisters, mothers, and daughters, grown-up friendships--both real life and online-- friendships during motherhood, and stories of friendship break-ups and losses. Whether you identify with the new mother who struggles with loneliness, the woman who looks forward to her social media notifications, the challenging and complex relationship of sisters, or the stories of friends that have drifted apart, you will recognize yourself somewhere in the pages of this book.




Megan goes on holiday


Book Description

In 'Megan Goes on Holiday', the family goes on holiday abroad, taking Megan for the first time. She becomes besotted with the place. On her return home, she makes a bit of a fool of herself by pretending to be what she is not and showing off. However, her mother and a few others bring her back to reality, and Wacinhinsha gives her an explanation for her recent infatuation with her holiday destination. Megan is a 13-year-old teenage girl, who realises that she has psychic powers that others do not have. At first, she tried to talk to her mother about them, but with disastrous consequences, so she learned to keep quiet about them. However, some people do offer to help and an animal showed a special friendship, but they were not 'alive' in the normal sense of the word. They had passed on. Megan has three such friends: Wacinhinsha, her Spirit Guide, who had been Sioux in his last life on Earth; her maternal grandfather, Gramps and a huge Siberian tiger called Grrr. Wacinhinsha is extremely knowledgeable in all things spiritual, psychic and paranormal; her grandfather is a novice 'dead person' and Grrr can only speak Tiger, as one might imagine and most of that, of course is unintelligible to humans. In 'Megan Goes on Holiday', the family goes on holiday abroad, taking Megan for the first time. She becomes besotted with the place. On her return home, she makes a bit of a fool of herself by pretending to be what she is not and showing off. However, her mother and a few others bring her back to reality, and Wacinhinsha gives her an explanation for her recent infatuation with her holiday destination. Translator: Owen Jones PUBLISHER: TEKTIME




I Saw Mommy Kicking Santa Claus


Book Description

The hilarious holiday handbook for those who are starting to see Scrooge's point of view. Let's face it-sometimes the joys of Christmas are enough to make us want to run away from home-with all of the eggnog, of course. But with a little wry humor, Ann Hodgman is here to tackle Christmas stress and bring cheer back into the holiday. Delving into such diverse topics as making Christmas for kids and adults, how many traditions are just too many, and much more, I Saw Mommy Kicking Santa Claus is full of helpful advice, recipes, and true holiday horror stories to let you know you're not alone.




The Scream Queen's Survival Guide


Book Description

Horror movie fans know: danger lurks around every corner, locker room, and strange new neighbor. And as every slasher addict knows, the last known survivor is always The Scream Queen. In this guide, youÆll learn 150 life-or-death lessons that Jamie Lee, Neve, and Jennifer Love learned on screen--without the pain of dismemberment. You owe it to yourself to master the scream queenÆs rules of survival, including: Be wary of days that begin "much like any other" (itÆs all downhill from there) Keep that playlist light (no one ever got axed while cuttinÆ Footloose) Reconsider that roadtrip (or else end up at the mercy of a creepy tow truck driver) Keep away from small-town law enforcement (the rent-a-cop always dies) Featuring little-known trivia and favorite moments from dozens of the most well-known and scariest movies of all time, this is one survival guide horror fans are sure to die without.




The Working Mom


Book Description

Chosen by the Independent as one of the 10 best business books written by women 'Vicki is one inspirational mumboss, who shares her secrets to juggling a thriving business with raising a family in this entertaining and empowering read!' Una Healy 'Ideal for going back to work without losing your mind . . . a no-nonsense guide to navigating the transition' Marie Claire 'If ever there is a person who has shown just how successful you can be online whilst also being an amazing parent it is Vicki. Read, learn and follow. A brilliant book from an inspirational mother'. Natasha Courtenay-Smith, author of The Million Dollar Blog In The Working Mom, Vicki Psarias, founder of HonestMum.com, shares her manifesto for surviving and thriving at work and at home. Vicki writes about everything from juggling work and family, to regaining your confidence after having a baby and battling imposter syndrome. An award-winning blogger and vlogger, in this book Vicki shares how to turn your passions into a business that suits the modern mum's lifestyle. The Working Mom is full of practical advice, tips and tricks to help fellow #mumbosses build their own business or return to work, while creating a personal brand and learning how to market yourself. Vicki's funny, fresh approach to life and work as a mum has brought her a loyal fanbase and a brilliantly successful business: her blog Honest Mum is one of the UK's most popular parenting and lifestyle sites, and the blog combined with Vicki's social channels has an average monthly reach of 1 million. A Lean In for the blogging and vlogging generation, The Working Mom is an essential book for all parents, whether they are returning to work or looking to start a new career, as well as anyone looking to build their brand or business online. 'A must-read for the modern Mum; particularly one who has aspirations to build her own business. I wish I had been able to read it three years ago!' Katie Massie-Taylor, Co-Founder, Mush







The Second Baby Survival Guide


Book Description

The Second Baby Survival Guide offers a brilliant mixture of practical, experience-driven advice and warm supportiveness to help second-time parents-to-be cope with a new baby and a toddler. Covering everything from telling your older child about the new baby, to trying to organise your day with two in tow, this book will equip you for the exciting – and busy – journey ahead. Naia Edwards offers reassuring advice and tips on a range of topics, from ensuring everyone gets enough sleep, to tackling jealousy and tantrums in your older child and how to adapt to your bigger family. And yes, you will be able find enough love for two. With frequently asked questions and case studies offering words of wisdom from parents who've been there (and survived to tell the tale!) this is an engaging, trustworthy and enjoyable read and is set to become a parenting classic.




Enough About the Baby


Book Description

An unapologetic guide to the first year of motherhood, Enough About the Baby is a newborn book for women who recognize the necessity of self-care—even if sometimes the rest of the world does not. Superheroes don’t have babies; real and imperfect non-superhumans do. When we come to terms with this, the result is a happier and less traumatizing start to motherhood. Becky Vieira, the mom behind the popular Instagram account @wittyotter, provides actionable advice for new parents on what to expect after pregnancy and how to successfully navigate the frustrations and challenges that come with having a baby. Vieira draws on her own experiences and interviews with moms and experts to get to the bottom of the toughest and most taboo topics—from managing nosey in-laws and an anxious partner to surviving the first postpartum poop and when to seek out treatment for postpartum depression. This book is filled with hacks, tips, and tricks that only the most seasoned—and enlightened—mom knows. (Ever hear of a condsicle, an ergonomic ice pack for a battered nether region?) Vieira reminds readers that motherhood shouldn’t be martyrdom, and a new mom who puts her needs first often isn’t selfish at all. With its combination of practical advice and the signature humor that made Vieira a hit on Instagram, Enough About the Baby makes a perfect baby shower gift for first time moms.




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