Babyproofing Your Marriage: How to Laugh More, Argue Less, and Communicate Better as Your Family ...
Warning New parents are likely to experience:
Scorekeeping--An exceedingly complex, often relentless, tit-for-tat war waged by husbands and wi... read full description
reviews
Feb 23, 2008
Skylar
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I definitely do not recommend this book to couples who do NOT yet have children, because it is exaggerated and may thus be terrifying. For those of us who have had to face the reality that being parents does change our lives and marriages in ways that are not always uplifting, it may be worth a read.
I sometimes felt my feelings validated by this book, and I often found it humorous, but I also found it too often bordered on a female bitch session. It doesn't offer any advice that isn More...
I sometimes felt my feelings validated by this book, and I often found it humorous, but I also found it too often bordered on a female bitch session. It doesn't offer any advice that isn More...
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Aug 16, 2007
Adam
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This is a very practical, specific, and insightful book regarding how men and women act in their marriage, why they do, and what changes (or will need to change) when you throw children into the mix. I especially recommend that couples read it so you can talk through the "do you *really* think that way?" sections. It's not a perfect book, but it is one of the best parenting books I've come across. The issues it does have are attributable less to fault by the authors and are more to
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Sep 09, 2007
Laura
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This has been a really good discussion point for my husband and me - we don't have kids yet, but it's good to see what kinds of issues we might have and discuss how we would like to deal with them, before we are angry and sleep-deprived all the time. The book tries to take into account both sides of each issue (each chapter is broken down into "how he feels" and "how she feels"), although sometimes they tend to be a little hard on men (there is more assumption that men will
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May 05, 2011
Betsy
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There's certainly a need for more literature about preparing marriages and partnerships for the impact of having children, so I'm glad "Babyproofing Your Marriage" exists. I only wish it had been written with a bit more professional input (all of the authors are simply writing from their perspectives as wives and mothers; no one seems to have a degree or professional background in counseling/mental health/etc.). The book also felt sexist at times, generalizing often boiling down issu
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Jan 04, 2009
Eileen
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One of my biggest concerns with having a baby is how it will impact my marriage. We've been happily married for 10 years and I know this is going to rock our world. This book did give me a few good insights. A few of the things I took away from it: remember that the difficult "baby" phase is only temporary. Remember to understand that your spouse doesn't always (and doesn't have to) do things your way. Be thankful for what he or she does to help out. Divide the labor as much as you can
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Jul 25, 2011
David
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Babyproofing Your Marriage is easily the best book on marital relationships I've ever encountered, let alone read. The authors (three women) do a better job of getting inside the male brain than any comparable book I've encountered. Specifically, they do an excellent job explaining how precisely men connect sex with self worth and intimacy, and how corrosive vicious cycles get started. In recognizing how effectively they get inside men's heads, I assume that their translations of women's emot
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Apr 18, 2010
Shannon
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Really disappointed by this book! First of all, it's quite apparent that this was written by three women. The flow is completely off, and it's annoyingly repetitive. They ask the same question in a dozen ways whenever a new topic comes along. Seriously, this should only be read by those who had a child after being in a dysfunctional marriage--if your marriage is healthy before the birth of your child, don't check this out. They talk about going from sex once a week pre-pregnancy to sex monthly a
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Aug 28, 2007
Dora
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These women interviewed a bunch of losers. Seriously, no wonder their marriages were in trouble if they are hanging with guys that would rather play golf and drink beer in the basement than be a part of a happily functioning family unit. I don't even know why I checked this out.
Aug 22, 2009
Jennifer
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I have to admit I was disappointed by this one, and didn't finish it. The authors did a good job of giving the woman's perspective on being a new parent and a wife, and they tried to give the men's perspective, but I felt like it was very girl-biased. Some of the comments made came across to me as very mocking of guys, basically saying "They don't get it!" Not really inspirational. One of my biggest frustrations was the language. There was a half-hearted attempt made to disguise the re
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Feb 23, 2009
Robin
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I thought this book was pretty entertaining and helpful. It helped Daniel and I talk about being new parents together and helped us be more of a team to take care of Tres. It was a little rough around the edges with some vulgar phrasing, but all used in good humor. A lot of the examples were more severe than our situation, so it made us feel better about our "problems", which were mostly resolved after reading this. My only qualm is that it is written from a very strong woman's perspec
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Oct 15, 2009
Vee
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Don't read this book if you are expecting your first child. It will scare you to pieces!
Furthermore, my marriage doesn't quite fit into any of the molds they discuss (thank you Jesus!). Towards the end are some good tips to take time for yourself and your marriage and how to re-kindle the passion... but seriously... I.. uhh... WE could have figured this all out ourselves. I guess it gives us a good heads up. When I first heard about this book, I wanted to be the one to read it first and t More...
Furthermore, my marriage doesn't quite fit into any of the molds they discuss (thank you Jesus!). Towards the end are some good tips to take time for yourself and your marriage and how to re-kindle the passion... but seriously... I.. uhh... WE could have figured this all out ourselves. I guess it gives us a good heads up. When I first heard about this book, I wanted to be the one to read it first and t More...
Jan 23, 2011
Kate
rated it:
A book written by 3 different woman about how their marriages were impacted by their children. There are some good tips and points here - I definitely highlighted some lines with the intention of reading them to my husband.
The book is written in an informal "girl talk" voice that is appropriate and makes the subject matter relatable - but it skews the book's POV to being very "mom-centric" and I think it could turn off male readers. Many attempts at humor come off More...
The book is written in an informal "girl talk" voice that is appropriate and makes the subject matter relatable - but it skews the book's POV to being very "mom-centric" and I think it could turn off male readers. Many attempts at humor come off More...
Feb 11, 2011
April
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A friend gave me this book before our first was born. I started to read it, and it kept making me grumpy. I was so frustrated that they assumed my great husband, and my great marriage would not do well through babydom. We both stopped reading it, put it away and forgot about it. I was cleaning closets two 1/2 years later and reread it, now from the perspective of a mom whose marriage was in fact tested by the demands of having a baby and of my husband being not well through a lot of the dema
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Mar 25, 2008
Lisa
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The “Babyproofers” Stacie, Cathy, and Julia are a humorous bunch of moms (and wives) that not only give helpful tips, but they also share from their own experiences and experiences of others. Many stories and viewpoints from both the male and female perspective are given. The overall goal of this book is to unite husband and wives through the early childhood years while providing an understanding of what the other spouse needs and wants out of the marriage.
The authors go through le More...
The authors go through le More...
Dec 03, 2007
Joanne
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I'm giving this to everybody who's having a baby this year, because even if you have a great marriage, it's nice to read other people's stories. It's written by three different women with different perspectives, and is both non-judgmental and funny. I don't read self-help books, and am naturally skeptical about most things, but picked this up and was quickly sucked in. It made me feel normal.
A sample:
"After living much of our pre-parenthood lives as relative equals, it More...
A sample:
"After living much of our pre-parenthood lives as relative equals, it More...
Mar 02, 2009
Erin
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This was a funny book! It was actually very entertaining. I don't know that there were oodles of recommendations that weren't common sense, but it did get you thinking. There was a very humorous take on all thise issues that families go thru, which is totally my sense of humor, so it got me thinking and comfortable joking about more with Lane. We've had a chance to laugh about some of the comments and stories in the book. It's a quick read and a fun take on family chaos!
Jan 21, 2009
Rachel
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This book is very funny and helps you look at some of the universal differences between men and women. I thought it did give somewhat of a message that this is the way we are and you can't really expect any better and that was a bit disappointing. But, it was good to look at some of my own behaviors from my husbands perpective and it felt good to know that all moms think the same nasty things about their husbands. So, overall not too helpful, but a worthwhile read.
Jun 16, 2008
Melissa
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I would recommend this book for anyone pregnant, with baby and/or small children, or planning on attending a baby shower and in need of some gift ideas. This book is not only fabulously funny (!), but also fabulously realistic...it invents a whole new vocabulary for new dad confusions, mama control buttons, the delicate post-baby sex issues, grandparent competitions, the division of labor, among other things. It is written in a spunky and interesting style that makes the issues and topics at h
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Apr 01, 2011
Cortino
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After both my wife and I had read this, she remarked - I am NOT the women in this book and you are not the men. I generally have to agree with her and but even so, I think the book did more to frighten me of what kind of women to expect than give me very many good solutions beyond what I already know. I also think that the women sold themselves on the idea that they were presenting both sides of the mothers vs fathers picture, but they in actuality fell woefully short.
Sep 14, 2009
Katie
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I thought the authors were a bit synical. They were correct that having a baby isn't the romance of cuddling your perfect baby and rocking it day by day. But, they scared the crap out of me and made me believe it was going to be a lot worse than it actually was. Having a baby is difficult, and can be a difficult transition, but these guys took it over the top. It seemed like every story they shared was a horror story of some kind. I wouldn't recommend it to new moms.
Jun 25, 2009
Kendra
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I read this book aloud to Jeremy on a 8 hour drive when Isaac was just 3 weeks old. It was a fun, light-hearted, comical look at how marriage changes when a baby is added to the mix. We laughed and related to a few things - but really we were trying to read it as "prep" for what the next year would bring. Overall we liked it - not a life changing book - but a validating book, and a reminder of the importance of nurturing marriage in the midst of all of the baby focus.
Jun 15, 2008
Lisa
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I read this hilarious, practical book recently because my husband and I have argued more in the past 6 months (post-baby) than in our entire previous 5-year relationship - and I understand now that's par for the course with the sleep deprivation and added stress of bringing a new person into the world and your home.
This book is worth it just for the quotes from real-life parents, which truly let you know that you are not alone in your stress, anxiety, and frustration (although some o More...
This book is worth it just for the quotes from real-life parents, which truly let you know that you are not alone in your stress, anxiety, and frustration (although some o More...
Jul 01, 2011
Alissa
rated it:
I got this book as a gift from my mom for Valentines Day. Sort of amusing! But I dove in and quickly found that I had a lot in common with the authors! I highlighted important parts for my husband to read so we could sort of read it together! It was a good conversation starter and definitely made me reflect on how my husband and I are surviving through the early childhood years. It's a good read for married couples at any stage of life!
Sep 13, 2011
Megan
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I don't have kids (yet) but I actually loved this book. It was funny and honest and gave me a lot to think about. I can't wait to force, I mean, ask, my husband to read it, too! The only drawback is that sometimes it was so snarky and focused on 'keepin' it real' that it made me nervous to procreate. But I suppose the point is to be as prepared as possible for the ensuing onslaught.
Dec 29, 2010
Carolyn
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I actually never finished this book. It was interesting to read at first and even entertaining. But after while it just felt like too much complaining about marriage and it got old quick. The book described the general feelings between men and women in their marriages. (They gathered this info from their own marriages and a lot of people they talked to.) Basically, women feel like they are running the whole show in their married and family life and don't feel that their husbands help enough,
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Jan 15, 2010
Lauren
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Great for any new parent, especially those that are having a rough time (ie all of us =). Really brings into the perspective the male and females perspectives of marriage and parenthood and how to make it all work! Really, give this one a read - you will not feel alone after reading this one! =)
Sep 21, 2009
Kayla
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This book was worth getting. It's irreverent, along the same lines as "Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy". with a few swear words here and there, but had a lot of good advice. I loved reading this with my husband sice the book was able to express how we felt better than we were, all we had to say was "Yes! This is exactly how I feel." and we were able to communicate like that.
Apr 23, 2010
Laura
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Blech. Basically, the book advised taking five minutes out of your busy, busy, busy day to provide orals, even if you are horribly exhausted. The book made it sound like all women avoid sex forever after having a baby. Also, as someone who doesn't yet have kids, I didn't appreciate the wildly exaggerated reassurances that I will never have a life again. I know many parents that are both loving and individuals, that did not have to stop all the hobbies they ever loved to have kids.
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Aug 27, 2011
Michelle
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I listened to this book on CDs. For women reading this, if your spouse is the jealous type, does no domestic chores and when he does he expects praises, always keeps score of what he did and thinks only of sex and will trade domestic chores for some fun in the sack, and you have no desire for sex, then this might be a good book for you. If your couple doesn't fit this stereotypical view, then this book might be a bit frustrating. There are some good tips in there, but lost in a sea of stereotypi
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Jun 15, 2011
Marion
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DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! It is utterly depressing and filled me with terror about life with kids. Maybe some of it is true but you just don't need to read about it. Deal with your own life and marriage. Don't read about other people's gripes.
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