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Didn't I Feed You Yesterday?: A Mother's Guide to Sanity in Stilettos
by
Laura Bennett (Goodreads Author)
Laura Bennett is not a soccer mom or a PTA mom or a helicopter mom—and she’s certainly not mother of the year. Another breed of mother entirely, Laura is surely more Auntie Mame than June Cleaver. As a busy mother of six, Laura is on an impossible mission: raising a brood of fast-moving, messy, wild sons in the jungles of Manhattan. So what other choice does she have than...more
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
April 6th 2010
by Ballantine Books
(first published March 25th 2010)
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I'm a confessed reality show junkie. The thing is once the show is over all info associated with it is wiped clean from my mind. Friends who are equal fans of certain shows will sometimes mention so and so from season three - I'll have no clue. Not so with Laura Bennent. I floved her. I still remember Frank the turtle. I could not wait for this book. I pre-ordered for Kindle so I would have it the morning it was released.
I eagerly started that morning ...and instantly hated it.
You know how sarca...more
I eagerly started that morning ...and instantly hated it.
You know how sarca...more
I won this book about 6 months ago and finally found myself with some time to sit down and read it.
Although Laura Bennett and I are from two entirely different worlds, I did find that we have some things in common. Her approach to motherhood is a bit more lax than mine yet I find that many of her philosophies ring true to mine. I especially related to her story of traveling on the plane and gaining wisdom from the statement made by the flight attendant "When traveling with children, please secu...more
Although Laura Bennett and I are from two entirely different worlds, I did find that we have some things in common. Her approach to motherhood is a bit more lax than mine yet I find that many of her philosophies ring true to mine. I especially related to her story of traveling on the plane and gaining wisdom from the statement made by the flight attendant "When traveling with children, please secu...more
The humorous title of this book is what originally caught my attention, and then I recognized the author from Project Runway. I read an excerpt from the introduction online, and thought the book might be worth a look, even though I usually turn my back on "celebrity" authors.
Laura Bennett and I are both mothers, but that is about all we have in common. Her lifestyle and her priorities are extremely different than mine. (I have no desire to totter around Manhattan in Manolos or become a gay icon....more
Laura Bennett and I are both mothers, but that is about all we have in common. Her lifestyle and her priorities are extremely different than mine. (I have no desire to totter around Manhattan in Manolos or become a gay icon....more
i have little to say about this book. in my mind, it falls into the same category as other humorous essays on life & parenthood as so many other books i have read, with the twist being that the author was the runner-up on "project runway" season three. & that twist is why i picked it up. the first essay, about laura's experience taking her entire family (one girl & five boys, ranging in age from twenty to two) on an airplane, gave me pause. laura made some allegory up regarding her p...more
It seems almost counterintuitive to review this book, because after having read it I'm fairly sure Laura Bennett wouldn't care in the least what I thought of her book. Like everything else she tell of undertaking, she found her way to write a book and if I, or you, or anyone else doesn't like it then we are free to go elsewhere. She will not lose (precious) sleep at night.
However, her publisher is the one who sent me the book, and being in the business of selling books they might be slightly mor...more
However, her publisher is the one who sent me the book, and being in the business of selling books they might be slightly mor...more
"...it had always seemed to me that once a woman had a kid nothing else mattered about her. being a dad might describe a man, but being a mom defined a woman".
this is a quote that comes from back roads, which i just read, and it is a sentiment which terrifies me.
i expect it would terrify laura bennett as well.
she's got six kids. five boys. and she lets them run wild and destroy the apartment/country house while she stands in the center of the room like a glam-obelisk and enjoys the spectacle. t...more
this is a quote that comes from back roads, which i just read, and it is a sentiment which terrifies me.
i expect it would terrify laura bennett as well.
she's got six kids. five boys. and she lets them run wild and destroy the apartment/country house while she stands in the center of the room like a glam-obelisk and enjoys the spectacle. t...more
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I loved this book. I loved Laura on Project Runway ( one of my many guilty pleasures). I couldn't wait to read it and would like to thank Librarything.com for that chance. I Love the cover.
I thought this book describe the way I grew up with they way my mom let my brother and I be kids. That is how I want to raise my son and any future children I have. Let them learn for themselves is probably the best way they will learn. I do agree with that. I just hope I don't end up with that many boys. If m...more
I thought this book describe the way I grew up with they way my mom let my brother and I be kids. That is how I want to raise my son and any future children I have. Let them learn for themselves is probably the best way they will learn. I do agree with that. I just hope I don't end up with that many boys. If m...more
1 like · like · see review
I started reading this on a whim at the library and ended up checking it out because Laura Bennett is a funny and creative writer. Her blogs on Project Runway are honest and articulate.
About 2/3 of the way through, though, I thought, okay, enough. I'm ready for this to end. After a while the amusing anecdotes seemed redundant. She's unapologetic about the flurry of chaos and mess that comes with her family. She's proudly dependent on her team of nanny, manny, and husband-nanny. This allows her t...more
About 2/3 of the way through, though, I thought, okay, enough. I'm ready for this to end. After a while the amusing anecdotes seemed redundant. She's unapologetic about the flurry of chaos and mess that comes with her family. She's proudly dependent on her team of nanny, manny, and husband-nanny. This allows her t...more
I enjoyed this book. I knew going into it that it was to be taken with a grain of salt and indeed, there are things in this book that could really irritate the over-earnest. Bennett claims to be middle income, but has multiple nannies and housekeepers and a 2nd home. She goes on vacation without worrying about the cost or the time away from work. This is clearly a pie-in-the sky read.
And so it's fun. It's neat to read about someone wearing expensive shoes dealing with the same kid stuff that th...more
And so it's fun. It's neat to read about someone wearing expensive shoes dealing with the same kid stuff that th...more
Mar 15, 2010
Leslie ( Cerridwen)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
mothers of more than one child and boys
I didn't realize who Laura Bennett was until I started reading the book. I had found out that the one time I watched Project Runway, she was the only contestant I liked. She had a " I will get it done no matter what" attitude and the fact that she survived the show while pregnant made me like her even more.
When I first started the book I thought, "Wow, I'll never find anything to relate" , myself being from a small southern town where a brood of boys is looked highly upon , since each can carry...more
When I first started the book I thought, "Wow, I'll never find anything to relate" , myself being from a small southern town where a brood of boys is looked highly upon , since each can carry...more
I think I might appreciate the humor more if I didn't feel like I had to defend it, even though no one certainly asked me to defend it. Sure, there's no doubt that My Favorite Of All Time "Project Runway" Contestant loves her children and husband ... It's just that you get the distinct feeling that she loves herself even more. While she justifies this in the too-true reality that to parent well, the parent must be well taken care of, the question still remains: Does she actually parent??
She trie...more
She trie...more
If attachment parenting, thinking that feeding your family anything non-organic is worthy of divorce, treating and dressing your pets like they are family, hovering around your kids at school, and peanut safety play heavily into your child-rearing or life philosophy, you should read this book to see how hilarious she thinks you are.
I laughed until my sides ached, read portions to my kids, my husband, and anyone who came within hearing distance. The insight into the Manhattan-style teamwork to k...more
I laughed until my sides ached, read portions to my kids, my husband, and anyone who came within hearing distance. The insight into the Manhattan-style teamwork to k...more
I read this because I love Project Runway (and keep up on what everyone is doing via Blogging Project Runway) so I knew a little bit about Laura Bennett already.
This was okay - I think in a lot of ways it was trying too hard to be funny 100% of the time, but there were some moments where in spite of that it was touching or real or made an important point about the sheer ridiculousness of helicopter parents. These moments were WAY better than the trying-too-hard-to-be-funny moments.
I LOVE that...more
This was okay - I think in a lot of ways it was trying too hard to be funny 100% of the time, but there were some moments where in spite of that it was touching or real or made an important point about the sheer ridiculousness of helicopter parents. These moments were WAY better than the trying-too-hard-to-be-funny moments.
I LOVE that...more
You might want to take my review with a grain of salt or three. I don’t have kids (thankfully that’s not the focus, I’d feared it would be given the subtitle) but I do often play one at work. While I do write reviews of books for a part of my livelihood, I mostly review children’s literature and science fiction and occasional works about Buddhism; so nonfiction for big people is not my area of expertise. The biggest reason for your grain of salt: I was a fan of the author when she was on Project...more
I don't know what possessed me to read this book. I didn't know who Laura Bennett was or that she was from a fashion reality show. What I did know is that I could identify with the person on the cover in a fabulous black dress who couldn't remember if she fed these mysterious aforementioned children. I do not have children of my own but upon seeing this brilliant cover, I knew I must read this book in case it ever happens, so I will know how to react. Unfortunately I did not quite enjoy the fill...more
Funny, entertaining quick romp through the chaotic life of Project Runway contestant, architect, and mother of 6, Laura Bennett. She brings a refreshing breath of laissez-faire parenting to a world where helicopter moms rule the discourse. In addition to chronicling her life among 5 boys, a grown daughter, a husband, and a household staff, Bennett provides an insider view of the reality TV experience, as well as some fashion tips. None of it goes terribly deep, and from time to time the aggressi...more
This was a humorous book, however when I got to the part where she receives a call from her child who is away at skateboard camp and he uses the F word to express his delight at winning an award I couldn't take it anymore. She figures the kids are going to swear anyway so why bother correcting them! Wow! And she has 2 nannies and a housekeeper/cook. The one son calls the nanny "mom" and calls his mother by her first name. That right there tells you who is parenting the children. She basically gi...more
I never really was a huge fan of Laura Bennett on Project Runway, so this book was something I picked up ready to dislike (who knows why?). It was extremely funny, and so sarcastic in such a good way. Other reviews say her sarcasm does not translate well into written word, I say it works better that way. Her stories are hysterical and I love that she admits to her faults and putting furniture and windows back together with duct tape. Her acerbic wit is priceless. So she buys expensive shoes and...more
Maybe if I had known who Laura Bennett was I would have appreciated the book more. I heard part of a promo for the book on television recently and it is not what I was expecting. I was expecting a much funnier book about motherhood. There were two or three things that made me laugh; but I mostly felt I was reading about someone trying to justify why she thought it was okay she was a bad mother. At least that is how the book read to me. If I had realized it was written by a reality show star that...more
I found Laura Bennett's book to be witty and charming. At times hilarious. I did like her on Project Runway and when I saw the library had her book, I picked it up instantly. I remember after seeing her home visit on the show, I wanted to know more about her family. They all seemed quirky and odd (in a fun way!). The book didn't fail to express just how quirky they are. I loved every minute of it. Bennett has great style and attitude. I enjoyed her writing style. I think she should try her hand...more
I enjoyed this quite a bit. I certainly don't agree with Laura about everything and find that some things about her do not align with my philosophy... that said, this was a joy to read. I enjoyed her on project runway and always wondered, who was this fabulously dressed woman raising six kids in Manhattan? It's refreshing to hear about a mom who loves her kids but also loves her career and has zero interest in things like recitals, kindergarten graduations, etc and is not ashamed to admit it. Sh...more
Laura Bennett’s book was one word “hilarious.” I saw it in the bookstore and paged through it and immediately realized that I had made it through the entire first chapter. I purchased the book and couldn’t stop reading it until I was all the way through. I loved her on Project Runway and enjoyed hearing about her family life, career, and life in NYC. Her stories are not meant to be a grand literary tale, but rather a collective narrative on her family and life. Although I disagree with everythin...more
I was a big fan of Laura's on Project Runway, but I was a little disappointed in this book. It was an entertaining peek at her unusual life, but it was less a guide and more an inventory of all the messes her husband and five boys make. There was nothing sane about it; in fact she talks a lot about how boy stuff drives her crazy. I'm all for fun, laidback parenting, but her kids sort of come off as brats rather than free-spirited. I think she was trying to portray them as free-spirited though. I...more
I got an advanced reader copy and I absolutely loved it! Laura Bennett was great on Project Runway. She has great style and a wicked sense of humor! She translates those qualities well to motherhood in "Didn't I Feed You Yesterday?" Laura has 6 kids-- one girl and five boys. Her daughter is away at school, so Laura lives with her husband and all the boys. The chaos that ensues is both hilarious and heartwarming.
Laura has a wonderful attitude toward parenting. And from her descriptions, her sons...more
Laura has a wonderful attitude toward parenting. And from her descriptions, her sons...more
I was prepared for this book to be funnier than I found it. It does have points that are laugh-out-loud funny, but overall, I thought it was worth skimming through more than reading. I have a morbid sense of humor at times so I thought this book would be a lot of dark humour about parenthood. Instead, I found it was basically a book of complaints. And, the complaints she gave about having nannies and maids and whatever and still not having enough time in her day? Uh, no. I'm sure that's her real...more
hil-ar-i-ous!! i never watched project runway but found this book on the library new books shelf. loved it in a sort of voyeristic way! she admits she's missing the 'mom gene' and she's not a foodie so that explains a lot. it was a good dose of 'reality' for me (a mom of four who tends to be overprotective). i needed a good laugh. a bit jealous of her seemingly unlimited funds but not jealous of her lack of spirituality. i think her and her family would make a great reality tv show - but i would...more
A mothering book by a contestant on Project Runway, Laura is best known for being highly glamorous while raising 6 children in a 2 bedroom New York loft apartment. This is a collection of amusing anecdotes about her life as a mother to 5 boys.
I don't think I've ever read a more hilarious book. Almost every line had me laughing, or at least smiling while suppressing a giggle. The antics of a gaggle of boys make me glad I only have one son.
While not everyone would agree with Laura's relaxed style...more
I don't think I've ever read a more hilarious book. Almost every line had me laughing, or at least smiling while suppressing a giggle. The antics of a gaggle of boys make me glad I only have one son.
While not everyone would agree with Laura's relaxed style...more
Say what you will about Laura Bennett. This book made me laugh. A lot.
I don't have six kids, I only have one. And he runs me ragged on a good day. I enjoyed Laura's take on parenthood, not because it's actually sound parenting advice for the most part, but because it is devoid of the seriousness and preaching associated with any book about children these days. It reminds you that the whole parenthood thing is kind of a circus, and these days people get so sanctimonious about every.little.thing...more
I don't have six kids, I only have one. And he runs me ragged on a good day. I enjoyed Laura's take on parenthood, not because it's actually sound parenting advice for the most part, but because it is devoid of the seriousness and preaching associated with any book about children these days. It reminds you that the whole parenthood thing is kind of a circus, and these days people get so sanctimonious about every.little.thing...more
I received a preview copy through Amazon Vine and I chose this book because I loved Laura Bennett when she was on "Project Runway". I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting from this book as I'd never read any of her online work.
The book is very slim and a quick read. My favorite part was the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, showing a slim, sophisticated woman in stilettos and a gorgeous little black dress. "Didn't I Feed You Yesterday?" mostly is about Bennett's misadventures in...more
The book is very slim and a quick read. My favorite part was the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, showing a slim, sophisticated woman in stilettos and a gorgeous little black dress. "Didn't I Feed You Yesterday?" mostly is about Bennett's misadventures in...more
Though I enjoyed Laura's contribution to Project Runway I was ready to hate this book. As one of nine children I have had enough of the reality-tv-mom-tells-what-it's-really-like stories that end up being NOTHING like the way I was raised. Instead of a sappy, sentimental, and unrealistic portrayal of the life of a large family I got a witty, provocative and humorous narrative. At times the stories didn't always seem to flow easily from one to another but they were always attention-grabbing and e...more
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