By Estelle Erasmus
A few weeks ago, I did my first google hangout interview, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the subject: Lisa Nolan, owner of Monkey Star Press, and creator/editor of the anthology Motherhood May Cause Drowsiness: Funny Stories by Sleepy Moms, a rollicking collection of stories about those early first days of being a mom, and the lack thereof of sleeping.
Now don’t hate me: but lack of sleep was never an issue for me except in the very first few weeks after my daughter was born. The reason: I had help so I could recover from my C-section and after the help left, my daughter drank 8 ounces of formula her first week home from the hospital, so she slept like, well, like a baby.
I was relieved. I always had this fear of not being able to catch up on my own sleep when I became a mother, but luckily, I was still able to get some much-needed downtime during these first few weeks. I wanted to be the best parent I could be, and that means having my own rest, right? Don’t get me wrong, there were times when I considered taking something like CBD oil to help me fall asleep at night, but before I could look at the best place to do so, I fell asleep. But it’s a good job I had a backup option just in case. My only wish is that everyone gets to experience what it’s like to have a baby that sleeps through the night. It almost feels like heaven.
Still, everyone I know can relate to the stories in this book-a supremely easy read– which range from the laugh-out-loud funny to the knowing chuckle-funny.
I loved seeing some of my favorite humor writers in the book, like Michelle Lewsen from They Call Me Mummy who writes about the realities of “sleep training” in The Day I Met the Sleep Angel. Stacia Ellermeier, from Dried-on Milk who writes in Dear Baby of Mine: “Why do you stand in your crib at all hours of the night and yell at everyone? Dude, I’m able to hear you, but I choose not to because ONE OF US NEEDS TO SLEEP!”
Lea Grover from Becoming Super Mommy (who I was just in another anthology with that I talk about here ), penned a poem , My Child’s Bedtime Lament. Stephanie Sprenger, of Mommy, for Real poignantly writes in Parental Paralysis “There’s a good reason sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture.”
Kathy Radigan, from My Dishwashers Possessed, contributed the essay In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.
Kathy writes, “I’m so tired during the day that I could fall asleep while standing with a cup of coffee in my hands…But I can’t give up my midnight rendezvous with someone I don’t get to spend much time with anymore: me.”
I’m a huge fan of the midnight (or 2:00 am self-rendezvous or shower) so Amen to that.
Altogether 43 mom lit/parent humor bloggers combed through their memories to tell their stories.
These conversations, confessions and rants will amuse, delight, inspire and remind you to look at your family’s bedtime routine with new eyes.
Here is the Google Hangout Interview. Lisa was a terrific interview. Click on the YouTube button on the bottom to go to the taped hangout on YouTube.
Lisa has a few more anthologies coming down the pike, so follow her on all her social media channels and listen here to this podcast interview of Lisa by Susan Maccarelli of Beyond Your Blog.
Buy Motherhood May Cause Drowsiness on Amazon.
Find Lisa Nolan on her website and at The Publishing Bloggers Network, where she does Q & A with authors, bloggers, writers, poets and miscreants on her blogs.
And don’t forget to buy the book, here.
This is one book purchase you will not lose sleep over.
Which anthology from Monkey Star Press are you interested in contributing to?
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book for review. The opinions stated here are all my own.
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Sounds like a fun book. Funny AND relatable!
OH that sounds like a fun book to give my sister for Christmas. I’m glad you brought this up!
Yes the coffee ahalogy is so true. Been there done that one! lol thanks for sharing this. Loved it.
Oh, I definitely need to read this book! I have stories of my own so I am sure this book will give me a great laugh.
This book sounds like it would perfectly describe me LOL. There are days when I could fall asleep standing up :D!
I think this sounds great. I could fall asleep holding a cup of coffee too some days. 😉
I know a lot of moms who would love reading this book. I have yet to master the art of a good hangout, you did a great job.
Love the premise of this! And, a Google Hangout is a great way to market it!
This sounds like such a funny book! I would love to check it out.
I love funny books on parenting. Especially funny books about the realities of motherhood. Looks like a good read.
Sounds like a hilarious book! I recognize some names too
I recognize a lot of these great bloggers, I am sure the book is good!
Such a good interview too.
This looks great! Such a great review too! I haven’t ever heard of a google hangout before sounds neat!
This sounds like a really funny book. I will have to check it out! Love parenting anecdotes.
This looks so funny! I will have to put it on my too read list!
I love humorous books! Adding this to my list. Thanks for sharing.
What a cute idea for a book. Can’t wait to laugh along with these stories!
What a great idea for a book. I can so very we’ll remember those days of sleep deprivation.
Good recommendation…am going to get for a friend.
Oh I know exactly who to pass this post along to! I remember those sleepless nights like they were just yesterday! Great post!
Sounds like a very funny anthology! I’m sure every mother can relate to the stories.
This sounds like a fantastic read. Nice for any parent.
I love the title the most. 🙂 My son didn’t sleep through the night for the first 15 months. I was exhausted!
Sounds like a great book! Fun hangout too. I have never been one to require much sleep at all so I never felt this way. Everyone in my house sleeps way more than I do. Funny subject for a book though!
This sounds like it would be a great book! So many moms deal with lack of sleep that could relate!
Can’t wait to read this. It sounds hilarious and brings back the not so funny memories of sleepless nights. I love so many of the bloggers included in here!
My daughter was a wonderful infant, so even though I had a c-section after 2.5 DAYS of labor and no one to help, I don’t remember anything but good memories… but sleep deprivation makes you not remember stuff, right? 🙂
I think I was more tired when my three daughters became teens. Trying to keep track of three teenagers’ schedules, traumas and dramas can be incredibly draining. I’m still trying to catch up on my sleep, years after they’ve flown the nest.
With my daughter I learned quick how to do everything I needed to do on no sleep! I would love to read this book sometime!
This would make a great gift for new parents. I am pretty sure I fell asleep with a coffee mug in hand when my son was little.
I love this book just by the title alone. Can’t wait to get the book – maybe laughter will keep me awake!
I love Google Hangouts. I use it to talk to my dad while they are away during the winter. I can remember when my kids were little how busy i always was. It can be hard to find time for ourselves.
The book sounds like a great gift for new parents, I seem to recall being on the verge of losing my sense of humor when I must most sleep deprived all those years ago. A book like this would no doubt have put much needed oxygen back into me!
It seems like a lifetime ago when I was mom to a young one. My son will be 22 soon, but I remember the beginning. And honestly? He was always an easy baby and young child.
It sound like this book is funny and I’m so glad you wrote a post about it, Estelle.
I can’t wait to read this book. With Christmas coming I have a few friends on my list that will be receiving it!
I have never done a Google Hangout before. I have been procrastinating for a long time on them LOL.
I have never done a Google Hangout before. I have been procrastinating for a long time on them LOL.
What a great review of our sleepy anthology! Thank you!!! I love all of the ladies and essays you mentioned too!!! 🙂
Thanks Kathy. I loved your piece in the book!
Estelle