If It's Not One Thing, It's Your Mother

Anita Renfroe
Navpress (2006)
ISBN 1576839931
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (8/06)

If you are a mother or a daughter, you should enjoy reading this humorous look at all that is involved in being or having a mom.  In particular, much time is spent on the teenager/mother relationship.  If you are in need of a quick pick-me-up, I suggest getting a copy of this amusing look at life as a mother and with a mother.

Anita Renfroe’s book begins with a word from her teenage daughter Elyse, who talks about what life is like living with her mother.  She refers to dinnertime at the Renfroe home as a Verbal Olympics.  The book ends with a message from Anita’s mother, Kay, who discusses what it has been like having a daughter such as Anita.  All three women know and cherish the mother/daughter relationship even though they are very different people with distinct personalities.  This threesome’s relationship is somewhat unique because all live under the same roof.  Life can sometimes offer more of a challenge with such a setup.  Anita terms this three generations of mothers and daughters as a Momwich, and she is the meat of the Momwich right now.

I thoroughly enjoyed this comical look at the importance of the mother/daughter relationship.  I could relate very well with so many of the analogies.  Anita explains how to make sense of Momsense.  For example, when Mom says to use good judgment, isn’t she actually meaning to use her judgment?  And when Mom says to just be yourself, wouldn’t that be the kiss of death for a teen who painfully tries to blend in with the crowd?  And what mom hasn’t answered a question with, “Because I said so.”  Of course, Momsense makes perfect sense.  Just ask any mother.

This book is overflowing with witty insights coming straight from the heart.  It is hysterical.  We take a look at Mothers’ Day and what will win points with Mom, the lifesaving qualities of Cheerios, Hollywood and Bible Moms, Mothers of Invention, Mom’s Top Ten List, Mom’s hopes for her children, and so much more.  In particular, I enjoyed the chapter discussing mothers of other species. Renfroe explains that a Human Mom can relate to the Praying Mantis Mom Thoughts when her child reaches the teen years, because a Praying Mantis sometimes eats its young.  Her explanation of penguins and their rituals is very memorable too.

I recommend picking up a copy of this book.  I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience, and I predict you will too.  As the book states, for less than you would spend on a box of chocolate therapy, you can get yourself some honest, hilarious, southern-fried wisdom from a chick who knows what it’s like on both sides of this fence.
 

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