Sometimes the Mama Blues just make you laugh

By Mir

April 5, 2010

Today I’m going to share the love with a couple of books I recently reviewed for Cool Mom Picks. Both of them were so much fun, I feel I can only show them the proper respect they deserve by passing them along to another harried mom in need.

First off, we have Mommy Prayers by Tracy Mayor, who is a Brain, Child editor and someone who understands that every mom has, at one time or another, prayed for an uninterrupted shower or for Skittles to keep a child quiet until we’re done checking out with our groceries. These are not “now I lay me down to sleep” prayers, but “please, can this shred of Beloved Blankie just last a little longer?” kinds of prayers. Very funny and would make a great baby shower gift.

Next, I also have a copy of Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop, who is a Real Simple editor and working mother of three. The subtitle of this one is “Necessary terms for the half-insane working mom,” and it’s organized sort of like a mini-encyclopedia of relevant items. Very well done and funny and—best of all—the cover features a little “mom” Lego minifig laying there missing an arm, which is so perfect and clever I would’ve read it on that basis alone.

Want to win them, either for you or for a mom in need who need a bit of commiseration and humor? I’ll be sending the pair to one luck Want Not reader! First go review the contest rules and regulations, then come on back here and leave a comment on this post by 11:59 p.m. Eastern (that’s 8:59 p.m. Pacific) on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 to be entered. Winner to be determined by random number generation and level of harriedness (that’s totally a word).

Ready? Go!

151 Comments

Bonnie on April 5, 2010 at 1:36 pm

mmmmm…. books…
Courtney on April 5, 2010 at 1:39 pm

Yay! boooooooks!
Amy on April 5, 2010 at 1:45 pm

Oh, I want to be the winner!
Trish on April 5, 2010 at 1:47 pm

love the book giveaways
Sarah on April 5, 2010 at 1:47 pm

I need commiseration and humor!
Jennifer on April 5, 2010 at 1:48 pm

I’d love this!
Jackie on April 5, 2010 at 1:51 pm

This would be nice!
Brenda on April 5, 2010 at 1:53 pm

Some interesting reading!
Mayhem on April 5, 2010 at 1:53 pm

Would love to be the winner. These books sound great!
elizabeth on April 5, 2010 at 1:54 pm

sounds awesome!
Cass on April 5, 2010 at 1:54 pm

Need.more.books.please.
Jill W. on April 5, 2010 at 1:55 pm

Yay, books!
Lu on April 5, 2010 at 1:57 pm

I could really use them!
Heidi on April 5, 2010 at 1:59 pm

I know a mama and a mama-to-be who’d love these! (Uh oh, how do I choose…?)
EG on April 5, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Oh, yes please!
Kyallee on April 5, 2010 at 2:01 pm

I’m home with the entire family today, and we all have flu-like symptoms. I could sure use a laugh…
Jen R on April 5, 2010 at 2:01 pm

Sounds funny!
Erin D. on April 5, 2010 at 2:05 pm

These sound great and I’d love to win them!!
Kathy on April 5, 2010 at 2:05 pm

Oh. My. Goodness! I have to have these! Come on, Random Number Generator!
ChristinaH on April 5, 2010 at 2:05 pm

Sounds great to me! I’m not a working Mom, but I certainly know people I can pass that book on to!
divrchk on April 5, 2010 at 2:06 pm

Sounds great!
Melissa on April 5, 2010 at 2:09 pm

Yeah for books! Pick me please!!!
Sarah on April 5, 2010 at 2:09 pm

If levels of harriedness matter, I’m a mom of six, between ten and two. Plus we have a puppy. 😉
Clare on April 5, 2010 at 2:11 pm

Please pick me. I could use a good laugh!
mamabird on April 5, 2010 at 2:12 pm

Books are great.
Jill on April 5, 2010 at 2:13 pm

Pretty please with sugar on top.
Rikki on April 5, 2010 at 2:14 pm

this sounds FANTASTIC!
Ami on April 5, 2010 at 2:15 pm

I would love to win these books! I stay-at-home with the kids and my sister works full-time. Between the two of us we will have little hair left 🙂 It’s always nice to read a pick-me-up-you’re-not-alone book.
Corey on April 5, 2010 at 2:16 pm

Relevant. 🙂
Dawn on April 5, 2010 at 2:16 pm

Would love to read them!
Aimee on April 5, 2010 at 2:16 pm

Love!
carmie on April 5, 2010 at 2:18 pm

Both sound like fun reads!
Ani on April 5, 2010 at 2:19 pm

Count me in
Lindsey on April 5, 2010 at 2:21 pm

I love new books! 🙂
Jenn on April 5, 2010 at 2:23 pm

Hard to decide if I’ll keep these for me or send them to my step-sister.
Amie D on April 5, 2010 at 2:31 pm

i have harriedness!
Betsy on April 5, 2010 at 2:39 pm

pretty harried but it could be worse!
Gwen on April 5, 2010 at 2:58 pm

those sound great. Me, Please!
pam on April 5, 2010 at 2:59 pm

Books!!!
Gennie on April 5, 2010 at 3:04 pm

I’ve been wanting to read that 2nd one and the 1st sounds good too!
Amy on April 5, 2010 at 3:08 pm

Great giveaway! Love it and your site!
heather on April 5, 2010 at 3:10 pm

I’d love to read both of these. Thanks!
Linda on April 5, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Ooooo…I could use the prayers and the laughs! 🙂
JulieB on April 5, 2010 at 3:13 pm

Been there. Like 10 minutes ago.
Virginia on April 5, 2010 at 3:14 pm

With 12 kids my life is a bit harried…
DawnA on April 5, 2010 at 3:29 pm

You are lucky to get so many books….and we’re lucky that you share!
Kelly on April 5, 2010 at 3:31 pm

Fantastic!
Jules on April 5, 2010 at 3:33 pm

these sound pretty cool… pick me!!
Laura on April 5, 2010 at 3:45 pm

Need this! Thanks for sharing.
Tammy A. on April 5, 2010 at 3:48 pm

yummy something new to read. count me in
Patricia on April 5, 2010 at 3:51 pm

sounds fun!
Leah B on April 5, 2010 at 3:59 pm

oh how I love books.
Steph on April 5, 2010 at 4:04 pm

books! (heart)
Jess on April 5, 2010 at 4:08 pm

Yay!
traci on April 5, 2010 at 4:12 pm

Love books!
Julie on April 5, 2010 at 4:18 pm

Thanks for picking me!
Heather on April 5, 2010 at 4:21 pm

Pick me!
Dawn on April 5, 2010 at 4:31 pm

Oh pick me please, not that I ever have any time to read…=o\
Curls on April 5, 2010 at 4:35 pm

YOU ARE EXCEPTIONALLY PRETTY TODAY 😉
RachelJ on April 5, 2010 at 4:38 pm

Those sound like great reads.
Chuson on April 5, 2010 at 4:39 pm

Pick me… 🙂
Laurie on April 5, 2010 at 4:42 pm

I would love to win these books. Thanks for the chance. Even if I don’t win, I’ll read the books at some point. I had seen an ad for the Kristen von Ogtrop book other day and the cover made me chuckle, too.
Anna on April 5, 2010 at 4:42 pm

Oh BOOOOooooook!
firelady on April 5, 2010 at 4:46 pm

Awesome!
Patricia Velekei on April 5, 2010 at 4:47 pm

I would love to win the books for my daughter.
Patricia on April 5, 2010 at 4:47 pm

Terrific. I need these. And then I can pass them on to my other harried mother friends.
Whitney on April 5, 2010 at 4:56 pm

Sounds funny!
Katie on April 5, 2010 at 5:09 pm

I could use these. My life is a little hectic right now.
Anna on April 5, 2010 at 5:09 pm

Would be great, thx!
Suzanne on April 5, 2010 at 5:10 pm

They sound hilarious!
Susie on April 5, 2010 at 5:10 pm

I need these!
Diane H. on April 5, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Would love this 😉
Joanne on April 5, 2010 at 5:36 pm

Just what I need!
Heather on April 5, 2010 at 5:51 pm

harried = mom!!
Susie Fikse on April 5, 2010 at 5:54 pm

Sounds like very fun books. Thanks.
Rebekah on April 5, 2010 at 6:02 pm

I love to laugh!
Julie on April 5, 2010 at 6:03 pm

I love books
Mary Ann on April 5, 2010 at 6:03 pm

I would keep one and give the other to a friend. I love books.
Emily on April 5, 2010 at 6:13 pm

Books are the best!
Damsel on April 5, 2010 at 6:41 pm

Woo-hoo! Love books. Thanks for the contest!
Monique on April 5, 2010 at 6:48 pm

I need these books! I’m totally hairy! That’s what you meant right? 😉
Stephanie on April 5, 2010 at 7:27 pm

I have a 4 year old boy. Need I say more? Hope I win!
Melissa on April 5, 2010 at 7:39 pm

Sounds good!
Lori on April 5, 2010 at 7:39 pm

I have a 2 yr old and 4 yr old. I would love these books!
Daisy on April 5, 2010 at 7:49 pm

Level of harriedness? that is totally, completely, truthfully a word. And that random number generator needs to remember that I am as harried as a mom of two “elder” children (18 and 23) can be.
Robin on April 5, 2010 at 8:03 pm

Me please
Valerie on April 5, 2010 at 8:05 pm

Could it finally be my time to win one of these contests???
Jess on April 5, 2010 at 8:07 pm

Me! I’m trying to get my daughter prepared for a crazy long karate test on Sunday when the weather has turned beautiful and all she wants to do it play outside. AND I have a cold. I am at harriedness factor 10.

(Proud mom note–she’s getting her second level of brown belt and she’s seven; she’ll be a black belt before she’s nine.)
Michele Randall on April 5, 2010 at 8:11 pm

This would be FABULOUS – thank you!
Marjorie Hansen on April 5, 2010 at 8:19 pm

Sounds good to me!
Laura on April 5, 2010 at 8:19 pm

Would love to win!
Lisa P on April 5, 2010 at 8:24 pm

Oh! I need some good summer reads!!
Kate on April 5, 2010 at 8:38 pm

Those both sound great!
Mandy on April 5, 2010 at 8:59 pm

oh me please please – both of them sound good
amy on April 5, 2010 at 9:02 pm

I would love to win either of these, can never have too many books.
Jennifer B on April 5, 2010 at 9:15 pm

Love new books!
Nicole on April 5, 2010 at 11:18 pm

I need a tattoo of the Lego mom on my arm!
Kacy on April 5, 2010 at 11:20 pm

As a mother of three under the age of four, sure! Because I have plenty of time for reading…but these are perfect books for even a preschool car line.
Thorny on April 6, 2010 at 12:31 am

Ooh, pick me, please!
krista on April 6, 2010 at 7:40 am

Summer reads AND baby shower fodder? Yay!
Katie on April 6, 2010 at 8:13 am

Always looking for the next book! Thanks!
JessicaD on April 6, 2010 at 8:47 am

Harried! tHANKS – Jessica
Gretchen on April 6, 2010 at 8:48 am

Now this sounds like FUN! Always good to know that we harried moms are not alone! 😉
Karon on April 6, 2010 at 9:14 am

I heart books!
Selena on April 6, 2010 at 9:17 am

Yay, tell it like it is books!
elz on April 6, 2010 at 9:41 am

I think the “Just Let Me Lie Down” book sounds hilarious.
Lexi G on April 6, 2010 at 9:54 am

THanks Mir!
dallimomma on April 6, 2010 at 9:54 am

My daughter-in-law works full time from home with 2 kids under 3. She NEEDS these!
Jen on April 6, 2010 at 9:59 am

I’ve been wanting to read the van Ogtrop book and then pass it on to my friends!
Carol on April 6, 2010 at 10:15 am

pick me…!
Emily on April 6, 2010 at 10:15 am

These books sound great.
pat on April 6, 2010 at 10:22 am

Truly Awesome for the harried women!
Cheri on April 6, 2010 at 10:30 am

these books sound great! Thanks!
Cindy on April 6, 2010 at 10:44 am

Sounds great!
Jenny on April 6, 2010 at 11:07 am

I need new reads! And I often feel like a Lego minifig with a missing arm, so these sound perfect!
Sherri Hall on April 6, 2010 at 11:13 am

please and thank you!
Tracy H on April 6, 2010 at 11:26 am

These books sound great! Thanks Mir!
Holly on April 6, 2010 at 1:02 pm

Why do I never win these?
Ruth on April 6, 2010 at 1:54 pm

These books sound like great reading!
Courtney on April 6, 2010 at 2:00 pm

I love the book contests!
Jessica on April 6, 2010 at 3:49 pm

I love Brain, Child! Please pick me!
Kristine on April 6, 2010 at 5:44 pm

I’d love to win new books!
lisabug on April 6, 2010 at 6:17 pm

Three 🙂 cheers =)for ;)books
sue on April 6, 2010 at 6:58 pm

Love books!!
Shelly on April 6, 2010 at 9:09 pm

I love books! You’re so pretty!
Amy on April 6, 2010 at 9:12 pm

I’d love to read these! Pick me please!!
Alison on April 6, 2010 at 9:58 pm

I so want to win these! OK, I know I always want to win your contests, but I really want to win these books!
Eva on April 7, 2010 at 6:53 pm

bookkkkkkkkk
KarenNM on April 7, 2010 at 6:59 pm

As a harried working mom with too many unread books already, I shouldn’t enter, but these look fantastic. Count me in!
Alisa on April 7, 2010 at 7:02 pm

Fun!
Mary B on April 7, 2010 at 7:04 pm

These sound like fun reads. I did read about the Real Simple editors book, in well, Real Simple and thought it looked good!
Betsy on April 7, 2010 at 7:14 pm

I need a laugh
Arwen on April 7, 2010 at 7:23 pm

I love books, especially books about motherhood. It would be great to win!
shawn on April 7, 2010 at 7:29 pm

love books sign me up
Rebecca on April 7, 2010 at 7:32 pm

would be great for me!
thanks for the contest opportunity!
kim libby on April 7, 2010 at 7:43 pm

I need something to relax me, my daughter is getting married in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
S. Elder on April 7, 2010 at 7:45 pm

Could use a fun read!
Katherine on April 7, 2010 at 7:52 pm

How did I miss this one? Yes, please.
phraktyl on April 7, 2010 at 7:53 pm

My wife would love these! I would read them and laugh as well, but then I wouldn’t tell anyone.
aly on April 7, 2010 at 8:06 pm

yay! thanks mir!!
Kayt on April 7, 2010 at 9:05 pm

Oh how I would love to win! I love booooks and my first is fifteen loud, stubborn, temper-tantrum throwing months old….
Lee on April 7, 2010 at 9:51 pm

Books . . .I love books!
Margaret on April 7, 2010 at 9:56 pm

a good laugh is always perfect….especially by the pool
Susan on April 7, 2010 at 10:08 pm

Sounds perfect for this mother-to-be!
Ginny on April 7, 2010 at 10:11 pm

Sounds awesome! Need laughs!
Sandra on April 7, 2010 at 10:19 pm

Pick me! Pick me!
Rosie on April 7, 2010 at 10:27 pm

Pick me! Pick … whoops, really I didn’t read the previous comment.
carolyn on April 7, 2010 at 11:13 pm

Enter me!
Mary on April 7, 2010 at 11:20 pm

I’d love to win these to give to my d-i-l! She’s a middle school teacher, and she and my son have a 5yr old and 3yr old twins.
Tracy R. on April 7, 2010 at 11:47 pm

Summer’s a coming! Need some reading materials!
Linda on April 7, 2010 at 11:58 pm

it’s 11:58…just before midnight! Hope I win (heck, I’m likely last, so I doubt I’ll win…)

Sometimes the Mama Blues just make you laugh

151 Comments

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