It Sucked and Then I Cried - Heather B. Armstrong

It Sucked and Then I Cried

By Heather B. Armstrong

  • Release Date: 2009-03-24
  • Genre: Humor
Score: 4
4
From 35 Ratings

Description

An irreverent and captivating memoir about the unexpected joys and glaring indignities of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood—from the beloved creator of the popular mommy blog, Dooce.com.

Heather Armstrong gave up a lot of things when she and her husband decided to have a baby: beer, small boobs, free time—and antidepressants. The eighteen months that followed were filled with anxiety, constipation, nacho cheese Doritos, and an unconditional love that threatened to make her heart explode. Still, as baby Leta grew and her husband returned to work, Heather faced lonely days, sleepless nights, and endless screaming that sometimes made her wish she'd never become a mother. Just as she was poised to throw another gallon of milk at her husband's head, she committed herself for a short stay in a mental hospital—the best decision she ever made for her family.

Here, with biting wit and unrelenting honesty, Heather shares her battle with postpartum depression and all the other minor details of pregnancy and motherhood that no one cares to mention. Like how boring it can be to care for someone whose primary means of communication is through her bowels. And how long it can possibly take to reconvene the procedure that got you into this whole parenthood mess in the first place. And how you sometimes think you can't possibly go five more minutes without breathing in that utterly irresistible and totally redeemable fresh baby smell.

It Sucked and Then I Cried is a brave cautionary tale about crossing over that invisible line to the other side (the parenting side), where everything changes and it only gets worse. But most of all, it's a celebration of a love so big it can break your heart into a million pieces.

Reviews

  • Mom

    5
    By DeirdreSA
    Amy Armstrong has such humorous and insightful observations about motherhood, this book should be required reading for every first time parent. She gives voice to all the good, bad, and ugly feelings new moms unexpectedly encounter. Most of all she beautifully expresses the joy, love and tenderness mothers feel for their babies without glossing over the painful and confusing parts. Buy it today for expectant moms, it'll be months before she has time to read again.

Comments