Mom, You're Fired!

by Nancy K. Robinson

Nine-year-old Tina's mother is driving her crazy! She sings opera in the street and wears striped shirts with plaid skirts. Why can't Tina's mom be more like Melissa's mom?

Genres: Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

During her career Nancy K. Robinson wrote more than 20 books for children between the ages of 7 and 12. She also wrote stories for children published by Scholastic Inc. She was a 1964 graduate of Vassar College.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had completely forgotten about Nancy K. Robinson's Mom, You're Fired!, which I read many times as a young girl, when I happened to stumble across a copy of it on a dollar cart outside one of New York City's used bookstores. No sooner had I seen the cover however, then the memory of it came rushing back, particularly the opening scene in which Tina's mother displays the Steele family's newly purchased underwear on the public bus! Needless to say, I had to pick this one up for the nostalgia trip...

The story of a nine-year-old girl who finds her somewhat unconventional mother intensely embarrassing, and who alienates her friends by pretending that she is, in fact, the babysitter, it should appeal to young tweens who are at that touchy stage when everything seems designed to cause them humiliation. I myself used to find comfort in the fact that Tina's mother was so much more embarrassing than my own, and while I would never have behaved as she did, could certainly identify with the impulse.

Of course, mothers can't really be fired (not often, anyway), and the process whereby Tina comes to a better understanding of, and appreciation for, her mother, is most satisfying to observe. All in all, rereading this was a pleasant reminder of my early childhood!

[Meenu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book called Mom,you're Fired by Nancy K. Robinson, This is my favorite book and Is an exciting book about the relationship between Tina and her mother. A lot of children go through embarrassing mothers and this book tells about how Tina deals with it. Weather it is at home, store, parent teacher conference, or even when friend is over, Tina mom has ways of embarrassing her because She dresses so weird in front of all the people's. She always sing in public,and all kinds of typical embarrassing mother things. when I read this book in the beginning of the page I think this book is a happy book of mother and daughter but it feel me sad when I read father of this book. I really don't like Tina behavior because I think that Tina can come to be selfish at times because of she cares to much about what other people think. She didn't care about her mother even when friends are talking about her mother.

I feel sad when other people try to treat their mother. Mother is like our part of god and it is important for our life. We should always respect our mother even they didn't know what they should do, we should teach them to do right things. This is my experience that I will do in my life if my parent in wrong situation. I can't treat my mom like Tina treated her did. Her mother is the opposite. She will do anything for Tina and she couldn't care less about what people think of her. I think her mother is a very caring mother but at the same time does her own thing. Tina's best friend Melissa, is rude, selfish, and stuck up. I didn't like her at all because Tina has some problems with her friends.

Tina best friend name called Melissa. She talked lot about her mother that her mother is very beautiful. when she was with Tina she talked about Tina mom is not beautiful as Melissa mom. I don't really liked when other talk negative way of my mom. Tina is embarrassed by her mother's actions and clothes. Tina wishes her mom was like her friend's mom. A new girl moves into the neighborhood, and Tina tells her that her mother is really her babysitter! One lie leads to another. Tina finally goes too far and a mother/ daughter discussion takes place. A great book for parents and children. I liked to recommend that read this book. It is not that hard book. We can understand easily.

For my collusion at the end of this book What I liked best about the book was how Tina dealt with they way her friends treated her. I didn't like how Tina treated her mother though. It was really rude. This book teaches a lot about treating your parents with respect. The ending was typical but I liked it. END....:)♥

[83star · Rating 5 out of 5]

My book is Mom You're Fired! the author is Nacy K. Robinson. This is one of the last books that I've read .I did read this book. It is about a little girl named Tina who has a very embarrassing mom.Her mom even showed Tina's underware to people she does'nt even know! All Tina wants is for her mom to be normal like her best friends mom.
I was thinking about the book. Because i can really relate to this book.My mom embarrasses me too and than I just want to hide in a shell like a turtle.But she never embarrasses me bad as Tina's mom did to her. This is one of my favorite books thatIhave ever read.

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mom embarrasses fourth grade daughter. Daughter think's friend's mom is cooler. Little sister gets lost in a mall. Daughter then realizes she loves her mom despite her singing and other idiosyncrasies. Quite a few mean conversations interspersed among the many cookies and ice cream snacks eaten. I'm sure young kids can overlook such points, but as a parent it wasn't conveying many of the messages I would want my daughter to learn (such as how to handle mean conversations or better yet--why you should avoid saying mean things to begin with). A book from my childhood reading collection that I do not plan on keeping any longer.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished reading this book with my pre-teen. So many girls that age are very embarrassed by their mothers and often yearn to have their friend's "cool Mom." This book shows girls that their friends don't often share their belief of "your Mom is so cool!" and how your friend with the "cool Mom" often wishes she had your "uncool Mom." I could relate because my pre-teen finds me very embarrassing and probably wishes I was "cool" like other Moms. I felt like that as well growing up and then, the older I got, I learned that some of my friends wished their mother was more like mine! So many girls can relate to this book.

[Fahmina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a child. It's about a girl going through that typically adolescent stage of life when everything her parents do is mortifying and her world revolves around her and her friends. Reading this book today will take you right back to middle school as you find yourself copping an attitude with your mom, taking your frustrations out on your annoying baby sister, and desperately hoping that you don't get abandoned by your best friend for more popular girls! Mom, You're Fired is a great book to get for the middle school student in your life!

[Jennifer Mitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a child, and then read it aloud to my 3rd grade students for years. It's funny, but sensitive. The kids always appreciated the emotional growth of the main character, Tina. In her quest to make her mother embarrass her less, she became more self-confident and more kind. Very appropriate lessons framed in a fun story.

[Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a pre-teenager. The story is told from the point of view of a girl and she chronicles how her mother embarrasses her at every turn. I read it over and over as I was going through those difficult transition years and it made me feel I was not alone in my mortification.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fast read about a fourth grader who is embarrassed by her mom who dresses like a hippie and isn't as polished as other moms. She also has a lot to learn about her friends and why appearances can be deceiving.

[Cher · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorite books growing up. It deals with having embarrassing eccentric parents, bratty siblings, and the horrible pain and jealousy of losing your best friend to another girl.

[Elisa Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book, and had a good moral. But there was a lot of lying and this girl is really rude to her mom. She needs a chill pill!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a kid and still remember parts of it. I remember I liked it as a kid

[Shae Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story that teaches about the danger of telling lies and the difficulties of friendship when you're young. And of course, how embarrassing parents can seem when we're young.

[Alicia Zuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a funny and cute little book.
Keep in mind that Nancy Robinson wrote this for a child but as a well-read adult who had nothing to read one day picked it up and laughed through much of it.
One of the characters- a child, who is embarrassed to be seen with their mother. The same mother, who is adored by the toddler. So many sub plots to keep it going, and I am happy that I was left with nothing to read because like in life where we may have the most fun when we don’t have anything planned and are just trying to fill up time doing nothing —well this cute, outdated 112 pages paperback proved that sometimes you have the best read when you think your just settling out of desperation;).

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

No wonder my generation was so messed up. The protagonist is a nine yr old girl, and this book is all about how she is so embarrassed of her mother... I think putting ideas into kid's heads, none of my nine yr olds have ever been embarrassed of me. That's a pre-teen thing. Blech..

[Agnes]

Did not hold up well

[Amy Flink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really into the Veronica series and i read this book as a pre-teen and could relate to Tina being embarrassed because i went through that stage at that age! I wanted my family to be perfect like i thought a lot of my friends' families were (but later found out they weren't perfect, some just appeared perfect in the presence of company). I was a sensitive child at 11 and found myself embarrassed to death whenever i would have friends over. Tina ends up lying about her mother and winds up alienating her two friends and her mother, but like me, she soon learns that things aren't always what they seem. No family is perfect. Parents aren't perfect. Great book!!

[Addriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was younger this was one of my favorite books to read. It's good first time chapter book

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Old Children's Book. Liked it as a kid, but haven't read it in years.

[Lisa the Librarian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stupid book. Bratty girls, especially the protagonist. No real resolution. Poorly written. Waste of time. Luckily it only took an hour or so to read.

[Elizabeth]

Wow - I'd forgotten all about this one until... I remembered it and Googled and here we are. And with the original cover!

A book club classic. I read it in 1982, I believe.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently I read this like back in 2006 or something

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as a child.

[Simona · Rating 3 out of 5]

did not like the ending