The Parent Bloggers Network

Mommybloggers often feel a lot like Rodney Dangerfield - we don’t get no respect. But thanks to Rita Arens and the anthology of bloggers’ essays she compiled in Sleep Is for the Weak, that may soon change. As one reviewer commented: “I am still hoping that the world sits up and takes notice of some of the astounding work being produced by mommybloggers on a daily basis. But Sleep Is for the Weak is a good start, a very good start.”

This monumental project began “when one woman decided to compile her favorite blog posts of all time [and] things got a little out of hand. What started out as a little project for her daughter turned into a full-fledged book.” Two years of hard work has resulted in a triumph - “a clever, funny, touching and humbling book that belongs on every mother’s bookshelf. Seriously, they should pass this out in the maternity ward along with the striped caps and newborn pacifiers.”

Many new mothers and mothers-to-be have read other popular parenting books with dismay and disappointment. Not so with Sleep Is for the Weak: “[It's] the first book I’ve read about motherhood (and all it entails) that tells it like it is. If I could go back in time five years and hand this book to myself, a scared young woman about to cross the threshold into Motherhood, I would.” Another blogger added: “With five little ones, all born nearly at once, I read my fair share of parenting books…They didn’t give me the insight into motherhood that this one book did.” More than one reviewer compared it to Vicki Iovine’s original Girlfriends’ Guide (which was the antidote to the preachy tomes most of us slogged through) - “not since The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy have I read such a funny, honest, shot-from-the-childbirthing-hips truths of motherhood, hemorrhoids and all.”

Even for those mothers who are long past the newborn stage, Sleep Is for the Weak was a revelation: “Every time you’ve ever felt like you were the only person going through a parenting issue, every time you’ve ever thought every other parent has it together and you’re floundering, this book will help you realize we’re all have crazy moments at some point in time.”

Why did this book resonate so deeply with the entire spectrum of reviewers? First and foremost, the writers themselves - people with whom many of us were already familiar, “who share the joys and the struggles of motherhood with us; fiercely passionate mothers that aren’t afraid of telling it like it is. The good, the bad and the I can barely hang on to a shred of sanity ugly.” One blogger particularly admired the openness of the writers: “Much of the book contained the type of writing I have trouble creating, the type where the writer bares it all and is very open about her marriage, childhood, children, and herself via her blog.”

It’s that candor that attracts so many people to blogs and contributes significantly to the enjoyment of Sleep Is for the Weak: “What I love about reading blogs is the honesty. I know that I can go to a blog and read the “true poop” - no candy coating, no sugar crusting, no rainbows and unicorns. Just the “Oh, my God, this is so hard and what did I get myself into?” This book is full of the same.” These essays generated a personal connection between writer and reader, much as blogs do: “Each time I finished a piece, I wanted to go email the author and send her my reaction…I wanted to thank them for taking the time to articulate their thoughts in such a way that I knew exactly what they meant.”

Finally, the subject matter was a surefire hit in and of itself: “All the posts selected in this book revolve around struggles of parenting and while all the selections are humorous beyond comprehension, many are also laced with the insight and enlightenment only those who are truly sleep-deprived can really achieve. Kinda like achieving zen but without tranquility or inner peace.” Another blogger agreed that “it is this collective voice of experience that we crave in our time of need…like when baby won’t sleep and toddler won’t poop and bullies bully and spouses spar and a million other parenting dramas unfold.” Sleep Is for the Weak will appeal to bloggers and non-bloggers alike: “Any mother or mom-to-be can relate to the trials of potty-training, juggling the 800 things we have to accomplish in our waking hours, and the hopes and dreams we have for our children.”

But here’s one cautionary point worth mentioning: “Why can’t women bloggers and moms in general feel better about themselves instead of seeming so unsure of their roles as mothers and writers? Yes, we need to keep sharing our tales of modern motherhood, but we need to do it in such a way that we inspire, laugh, grow, help others, and ultimately make society better for all moms and their families – and do this all without putting ourselves down. We deserve better than that.” Hopefully, having the courage to write down our struggles in a public forum has been the first step for many bloggers toward that worthy goal of celebrating our accomplishments. Perhaps we can inspire other mothers to have greater confidence in themselves, if only because they realize they aren’t alone.

Because “what the Internet sometimes forgets is that mommybloggers are more than just “providing content” - we’re sharing our stories and tackling tough issues.” As one final blogger - I mean, writer - noted: “Yes, we are “real writers,” and this book proves it.”

Get your own copy of Sleep Is for the Weak at Amazon!

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 at 5:00 am and is filed under Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.