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IJWTBA #5
But Did You Die?: Setting the Parenting Bar Low
But Did You Die? is the fifth hilarious installment in the New York Times bestselling I Just Want to Pee Alone series. But Did You Die? is a collection of terrible (but also kind of good) parenting advice from some of the funniest moms and dads on the 'net. And that one super helpful childless friend we all have who loves to tell us we're parenting wrong. So put your kids in front of the TV and let them eat junk while you read this book and laugh your tail off. We set the bar low so you can feel better about your parenting skills. You're welcome.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2017
111 people are currently reading
753 people want to read
About the author
Jen Mann
28 books1,014 followersJen Mann of People I Want to Punch in the Throat is the hilarious author of the New York Times best seller, People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges and Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat. She also contributes to and publishes the New York Times best selling I Just Want to Pee Alone series of books. Her books are inspired by her immensely popular blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat. Jen lives in Kansas with the Hubs and her two children, Gomer and Adolpha - no, those aren't their real names, their real names are actually worse. Jen spends her free time crafting and volunteering with the PTO. Seriously.
You can purchase her books here: http://amzn.to/QSie2T
You can purchase her books here: http://amzn.to/QSie2T
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 6, 2022
I'm 95% sure I read this book back when it was released, but I clearly didn't review or rate it. so this is probably a reread for me, haha.
But Did You Die? is part of a collection of funny parenting books / stories. Most of these stories are so relatable and truly make you feel like you aren't the worst parent like you thought you were, haha.
I mean how many times have we done stupid things like hit our baby's head on the doorway when walking through? Or forgetting the diaper bag at home right as our kid has a massive blowout?
Honestly, this book should be given to every first time mom, so they can read our stories and know they truly aren't alone in their feelings and experiences. Moms are never perfect, nor should we be expected to be!
But seriously, pick up this book and the others in the series if you're a parent. You'll find at least a few essays to laugh at too!
But Did You Die? is part of a collection of funny parenting books / stories. Most of these stories are so relatable and truly make you feel like you aren't the worst parent like you thought you were, haha.
I mean how many times have we done stupid things like hit our baby's head on the doorway when walking through? Or forgetting the diaper bag at home right as our kid has a massive blowout?
Honestly, this book should be given to every first time mom, so they can read our stories and know they truly aren't alone in their feelings and experiences. Moms are never perfect, nor should we be expected to be!
But seriously, pick up this book and the others in the series if you're a parent. You'll find at least a few essays to laugh at too!
January 2, 2021
I have read this before, I like to read it every once in a while funny stories about being a parent
September 5, 2017
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....well duh, why would I lie about it.
Although this book was not the knee-slapping, tears running, stomach hurting from laughter that I have come to know Jen Mann and her books to be, this was still a fantastic book. I found myself relating to so many of the 'know it alls' and their stories on parenting.
I found myself really enjoying the experiances coming from the men in this book. Mike Cruse is my new favorite on FB to follow and his story Parents Catch ALL the Shit made me feel like I wasn't alone when trying to catch a child's bodily fluids in the palm of my hands.
Of course we can all relate to Jorrie Varney and her Adventure in Potty Training! I cringe when I remember that phase with my own daughters.
Thanks to Linda Wolff and her What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger story, I now do BRAVE things with my little girls. It make scare the shit out of me but I'll try it!
And lastly my favorite parental advice came from Samara Rose (Teenage Wasteland) under her 'Give Teens a Game Plan' when she says.... Help them figure out how to handle a potentially unsafe situtation. If the person who drove them to the party is now drunk, tell them to sleep where they are. Alternativley, advise them to find a ride with someone who has snorted meth instead. Better to have a driver who's hyperaware and twitching uncontrollably than someone who's going to pass out in the driver's seat....that's some solid advice right there!! LOL
After reading this book I find myself in arguements with my little ones and I always end with saying to them BUT DID YOU DIE?!
Although this book was not the knee-slapping, tears running, stomach hurting from laughter that I have come to know Jen Mann and her books to be, this was still a fantastic book. I found myself relating to so many of the 'know it alls' and their stories on parenting.
I found myself really enjoying the experiances coming from the men in this book. Mike Cruse is my new favorite on FB to follow and his story Parents Catch ALL the Shit made me feel like I wasn't alone when trying to catch a child's bodily fluids in the palm of my hands.
Of course we can all relate to Jorrie Varney and her Adventure in Potty Training! I cringe when I remember that phase with my own daughters.
Thanks to Linda Wolff and her What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger story, I now do BRAVE things with my little girls. It make scare the shit out of me but I'll try it!
And lastly my favorite parental advice came from Samara Rose (Teenage Wasteland) under her 'Give Teens a Game Plan' when she says.... Help them figure out how to handle a potentially unsafe situtation. If the person who drove them to the party is now drunk, tell them to sleep where they are. Alternativley, advise them to find a ride with someone who has snorted meth instead. Better to have a driver who's hyperaware and twitching uncontrollably than someone who's going to pass out in the driver's seat....that's some solid advice right there!! LOL
After reading this book I find myself in arguements with my little ones and I always end with saying to them BUT DID YOU DIE?!
June 10, 2017
I received an advanced copy of this book as an early reader, and I've got to say, I'm so glad I did! It is filled with funny and thoughtful stories about parenting woes and flops that definitely made me laugh and feel a whole lot less alone in my imperfection. Some of my favorites are "Talk Like an Adult" by Joel Ryan and "Me, My Inferior Boobs, and My Green Baby" by Elizabeth Hamilton Argyropolous. The first made me laugh and think about my own talkative son and my other one who calls phone and computer chargers "plugger-inners." It's good to know I'm not the only one whose attempts at not speaking baby talk have had widely varying - and often hysterical - results. The second had me rolling because of her sharp wit and nodding along with her contemplation about the trials of new motherhood as she described what it was like to give birth in Greece, among many other things I could relate to about pregnancy and the feelings of inadequacy that come with parenthood. And those are just a couple of the humorous, reflective, and relatable stories that fill this book. Definitely recommend it as a great summer beach or poolside read or even a gift for a fellow parent in the trenches.
June 11, 2017
I received an advance copy of "But Did You Die" in exchange for my honest review, and honestly I loved this book. It's full of some of my favorite writers on the internet, and the laughs just keep coming through the entire thing. I especially loved Janel Mills' guide to dealing with dead pets, which made me think of my own hilarious dead hampster experience when I was a little kid. Joel Ryan's "Talk Like an Adult" is a must for anyone with an uber-talkative kid (aka all of us). Then there's "Me, My Inferior Boobs, and My Green Baby" by Elizabeth Hamilton Argyropoulos, which had me cry-laughing from the very first paragraph -- and somehow managed to get funnier from there. And Julie Burton's "Oh Shit" is a hilarious take on that "oh shit" moment we all have when we realized our potty mouth has totally rubbed off on our kids. Basically, this book is the parent-friend group you wish you had. They're real, they're hilarious, they say what you've been saying silently in your head all along, and they offer a hilarious heads up for the parenting crises you've yet to face. "But Did You Die" is a must for anyone in the parenting trenches.
June 11, 2017
I received a copy of this book in advance in exchange for an honest review. I would actually give this book 3.5 stars.
When I first learned about this book, I was expecting a book packed with stories about parenting dysfunction and the resulting hilarity, like all the stories I am keeping from my own children in hopes of being put in a nice nursing home in my golden years. Instead I was greeted with a variety of stories, some funny, some heartwarming, and some mildly amusing.
I found myself unable to relate to some of the stories. Although it was comforting to know that mine wasn't the only mother who tried to instill the fear that tampon use would result in my untimely death and that my sons aren't the only boys perfectly content to walk around in a cloud of their own stench, some of the stories, although well written, left me waiting for a punchline that never came.
Once I let go of the fact that this book wasn't going to be an absolute laugh riot, I enjoyed it more. I had high expectations to which this book did not live up. Was it a bad book? No. I guess I should have set my bar lower.
When I first learned about this book, I was expecting a book packed with stories about parenting dysfunction and the resulting hilarity, like all the stories I am keeping from my own children in hopes of being put in a nice nursing home in my golden years. Instead I was greeted with a variety of stories, some funny, some heartwarming, and some mildly amusing.
I found myself unable to relate to some of the stories. Although it was comforting to know that mine wasn't the only mother who tried to instill the fear that tampon use would result in my untimely death and that my sons aren't the only boys perfectly content to walk around in a cloud of their own stench, some of the stories, although well written, left me waiting for a punchline that never came.
Once I let go of the fact that this book wasn't going to be an absolute laugh riot, I enjoyed it more. I had high expectations to which this book did not live up. Was it a bad book? No. I guess I should have set my bar lower.
June 11, 2017
You should read this book! I loved every story. It felt like being a parents group with all the parents you'd want to be in a group with. You know, the ones who make you feel like perhaps you are not the worst mom ever, or that at least there are others who might be screwing things up in the same ways you are. But instead of sitting in the community room at your local library, you're at home, hiding in the bathroom, while your kids scream for snacks, and someone *may* be painting the dog, and you wonder what that crash was, but you don't care because this book is FUNNY (there is poop, and cursing, and pet funerals) and you can't put it down! Definitely grab a copy of this book. You'll relate to these stories and words of wisdom from parents who have "been there, done that" and survived! And the stories you don't relate to will give you a chance to sit in sanctimonious judgment from your porcelain throne in your secret bathroom hideaway. So it's a win-win, really! *I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 11, 2017
Perfect Parent Beach Read (while your kids are up to shenanigans)
*I was sent a copy of this book, in advance of its release, for review purposes.
I spent my time reading, alternating between chuckle-snorts and head-shaking, because I could SO relate to the harrowing and hilarious parenting stories within. When I came upon Jen Simon's piece, "When People Make Plans..." I admit to laughing to the point of tears (nervously laughing with her, not at her!). Not only does Simon share a parent's worst nightmare, in beautiful detail, which she and her husband handled like pros, but in some way, her story is the Everyman of parenting stories -- we've all been there. In fact, we were traveling home from being away just yesterday, when explosive vomit overtook my son in the car, later followed by the other end; thank goodness my husband keeps wet wipes in the car.
All of this is to say that Mann's "But Did You Die?" is the perfect parenting read -- easy to pick up and put down, with the ability to laugh at parenting horror stories [that aren't your own].
*I was sent a copy of this book, in advance of its release, for review purposes.
I spent my time reading, alternating between chuckle-snorts and head-shaking, because I could SO relate to the harrowing and hilarious parenting stories within. When I came upon Jen Simon's piece, "When People Make Plans..." I admit to laughing to the point of tears (nervously laughing with her, not at her!). Not only does Simon share a parent's worst nightmare, in beautiful detail, which she and her husband handled like pros, but in some way, her story is the Everyman of parenting stories -- we've all been there. In fact, we were traveling home from being away just yesterday, when explosive vomit overtook my son in the car, later followed by the other end; thank goodness my husband keeps wet wipes in the car.
All of this is to say that Mann's "But Did You Die?" is the perfect parenting read -- easy to pick up and put down, with the ability to laugh at parenting horror stories [that aren't your own].
June 11, 2017
I received a copy of this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.
In general I'm typically not a fan of reading anthologies. I feel like I'm always left wanting more (whether fiction or non-fiction), and tend to steer away from "books of stories." I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a parent of a small child, the stories of that age group resonated loud and clear with me, and made me laugh (some out loud, I even found myself reading a few paragraphs to my husband). But I also really liked the ones that were about authors with older kids ... in some ways, it made me realize that the craziness and dysfunction of parents, all parents, never ends ... and we're all in this together. I liked that all of these authors felt very down to earth -- similar to parents I know from daycare, or the park, and that I could easily talk to about the hell of potty training, or a "meltdown in aisle 3."
Raising kids is a journey, and far too often it feels like a many-sided battle ... thank you for writing a book where it feels like we're all in this together.
In general I'm typically not a fan of reading anthologies. I feel like I'm always left wanting more (whether fiction or non-fiction), and tend to steer away from "books of stories." I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a parent of a small child, the stories of that age group resonated loud and clear with me, and made me laugh (some out loud, I even found myself reading a few paragraphs to my husband). But I also really liked the ones that were about authors with older kids ... in some ways, it made me realize that the craziness and dysfunction of parents, all parents, never ends ... and we're all in this together. I liked that all of these authors felt very down to earth -- similar to parents I know from daycare, or the park, and that I could easily talk to about the hell of potty training, or a "meltdown in aisle 3."
Raising kids is a journey, and far too often it feels like a many-sided battle ... thank you for writing a book where it feels like we're all in this together.
August 10, 2017
This book is hilarious and oh so easy to relate to! You will want this crazy, mixed up group to be your new best friends because with each story you read you're pulled into a parenting club you were too embarrassed to ask if it excised. Jen Mann (in all her hilarious glory) is the ring leader of this circus and she doesn't fail to deliver with an honest tale about stinky middle schoolers, I thought my child was the only one who pulled the dry hair trick! Rodney Lacroix, Victoria Fedden and Joel Ryan (among many many others) had me laughing out loud! I highly recommend this book to any parent, no matter the age of your baby. You will love the babycentric stories as you look back in horror and wonder how you ever survived and the tales of older children are beyond helpful. Pick this book up ASAP!!!!
June 11, 2017
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
You know how when you go to a party and some of your most fun friends are there, so you're excited to see them? But then there are some people you've never met, and you end up meeting them and you leave having made lots of new friends? That's how "But Did You Die?" felt to me. Several of the featured authors are writers I follow on Facebook and I thoroughly enjoy reading what they write. However, many of the authors in this collection of essays were new to me.
I found myself giggling, nodding in agreement, and relating to the essays in this collections. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with kids, anyone thinking of having kids, or anyone who's looked at a kid!
You know how when you go to a party and some of your most fun friends are there, so you're excited to see them? But then there are some people you've never met, and you end up meeting them and you leave having made lots of new friends? That's how "But Did You Die?" felt to me. Several of the featured authors are writers I follow on Facebook and I thoroughly enjoy reading what they write. However, many of the authors in this collection of essays were new to me.
I found myself giggling, nodding in agreement, and relating to the essays in this collections. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with kids, anyone thinking of having kids, or anyone who's looked at a kid!
June 12, 2017
We are expecting our first child and this book was just what we needed for a few good laughs. As a new parent you are constantly inundated with all of the does and don'ts of parenthood, this book is a breath of fresh air. It allows you to see the "real" side of parenthood. Between creating the perfect nursery and making my pinterest inspirations come to life, this book couldn't have come at a better time. I love that it is a compilation of several short stories which allowed me to read a few here and there without needing to sit down for hours on end. Highly recommend if you like to laugh or just need a break from all of the serious baby talk. What better way to learn than from those who have come before you?
June 16, 2017
But Did You Die? is hysterical! I loved all the stories and I laughed out loud so much I think my Hubby thought I'd finally lost it! I won an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review and boy was I lucky! Jen Mann's books are always so much fun and all of the contributors to this anthology are great, some old favorites and some new! And the stories they tell! There are stories all the way from babies to teens and I really I didn't realize that everybody else had as much (maybe more) poop in their lives as I do (and that it doesn't really go away no matter what age they are, noooo!) And one childless contributor (unexpectedly hilarious) that was like wth about all of it, with her own parenting tips =O ! It's a great read, a lot of fun and entertaining!
August 15, 2019
I expected this book to make me laugh out loud more than it did. I could definitely relate to many of the situations written about, and appreciated the “wise” advice for the stages I haven’t experienced yet. But I felt that much of the humor and cleverness was hidden beneath an over-exorbitant amount of swearing. And I am not a novice when it comes to dropping four-letter words (and many of their iterations), yes, even in front of my children. I firmly believe that a well-placed swear word can add just the right emphasis and meaning at times. But I felt like the swearing was unnecessary and gratuitous in most of the cases in this book. The other main issue I had is that really, even though we’ve all been there, how many stories about diarrhea and vomit do we need to read?!
June 11, 2017
I received an advance copy of this book as an early reader, but would have purchased it no matter what! I have read this entire series and have yet to be disappointed. This edition will help you to realize that no matter what you've done wrong--or differently--on this adventure called parenthood, there is no right or wrong way to do it.
Between dealing with dead hamsters, teaching them how to do chores, how to handle public bathrooms, and even boy smells, parenting is different for everyone. Do it your way and never be afraid to ask them 'But Did You Die?'
A hilarious read for all parents!
Between dealing with dead hamsters, teaching them how to do chores, how to handle public bathrooms, and even boy smells, parenting is different for everyone. Do it your way and never be afraid to ask them 'But Did You Die?'
A hilarious read for all parents!
June 11, 2017
*I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Hilarious. I loved how diverse the stories were -- from an epic poop story that earned the writer the title "Baroness of Bleach", to a list of funny things kids say that we can all relate to (How did Santa make this toy in his workshop if it has a "made in China" sticker?), to the lengths parents will go to in order to get their kids to sleep (one writer actually put fake legs in her child's room so he would think she was sitting there), these stories will have you laughing and make you realize just how normal your own zoo is.
Hilarious. I loved how diverse the stories were -- from an epic poop story that earned the writer the title "Baroness of Bleach", to a list of funny things kids say that we can all relate to (How did Santa make this toy in his workshop if it has a "made in China" sticker?), to the lengths parents will go to in order to get their kids to sleep (one writer actually put fake legs in her child's room so he would think she was sitting there), these stories will have you laughing and make you realize just how normal your own zoo is.
June 11, 2017
This is a laugh out loud collection of essays anyone with kids in their lives should keep in their arsenal! Parenting gets tough and sometimes the best thing you can do is laugh! I was pleasantly surprised that some of the stories were quite heartwarming too. This would also make a great gift to a friend who may be feeling the weight of parenting crashing down on them, or during a big milestone to lighten things up a little. It takes a village, and in our digital world I've found some relatable bloggers through this book that I can't wait to start following! I received a copy in advance in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2017
This series just keeps getting better and better - These books always have me laughing while gasping for breath. Completely relate-able, entertaining, and charming, this installment does not disappoint. This particular essay collection might just be my favorite, as it includes entries from mothers, fathers, and non-parents alike.
Public bathrooms, airplane trips, parenting advice from the non-parent, green babies, the death of beloved (ahem) pets - this collection truly covers all of the bases. Mediocre parenting is no longer a reason to find shame in your parenting game, it's not even a unit of measurement anymore. Why? because we're all doing the best we can. This book continues to prove that.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own.
Public bathrooms, airplane trips, parenting advice from the non-parent, green babies, the death of beloved (ahem) pets - this collection truly covers all of the bases. Mediocre parenting is no longer a reason to find shame in your parenting game, it's not even a unit of measurement anymore. Why? because we're all doing the best we can. This book continues to prove that.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own.
July 12, 2017
Every parent should have a copy of this book laying around, preferably in the spot you go to cry when you think you have reached an all-time parenting low. The authors approach moments ranging from the disgusting to outright disastrous with self-effacing humor. Among stories about parenting young children, Michelle Combs' outstanding contribution turns the trope of "The Talk" on its head as she describes a frank conversation about sex with her young, ADULT, step daughter, from whom she withholds NOTHING, a choice she regrets when the step daughter later returns the favor. In those moments of parental failure, reach for this book, open to any page and give yourself a much-needed laugh.
August 15, 2017
I tried and TRIED to pick a favorite essay from this book, but it's impossible. When I wasn't snickering, I was nodding. From the ever-so-helpful Aussa Lorens stating (truthfully) that your toddler is basically a tiny, drunk, sorority girl, to Papa Does Preach, AKA Mike Cruse, probably STILL catching shit, to the amazingness that was Elly Lonon's essay 'The Theory of Relativity,' this book has it all. I was given an ARC of 'But Did You Die?' in exchange for an honest review. And, honestly? Every writer who contributed deserves a high five. Which they'll probably get, in the face, from their very own tiny tyrants.
January 10, 2020
I enjoyed this collection of essays a lot, I think I'm going to share it with my sisters. So many different situations, age groups and parenting incidents are represented and hilarious...because they're not happening to me right then! (Also the stories are well communicated, you're there with the parent in the storm digging batteries out of dying toys, stuck in the Tube Park mess, on the plane, etc.) I also liked that, as a collection of short stories, one can read a humorous tale before having to get back to the task at hand, so the entire day has (an opportunity for) sprinkles of levity. Very fun!
June 11, 2017
I begged my buddy for an advanced copy of this book and I was not disappointed. But Did you Die? is a must read for parents, anyone thinking about having children or really anyone with a sense of humor. The pieces range from a talented group of men and women with stories about their own childhood, challenges they've had raising their own children or a combination of the two. Each piece is heartfelt and humorous and I've been remarkably pleased with the anthology. It has been one of the funniest I've read in years and I highly recommend it to anyone.
June 28, 2017
Apparently it's cool and hip to call your kids assholes and cuss a lot when telling stories about them. Because every single one of these essayists do exactly that. It was cute and funny and relatable for a little while, but then you start to realize that all of these essayists are trying too hard to be cute and funny. It is at that point that this book is no longer cute or funny and just becomes annoying, which is unfortunate for some of the essayists who were relegated to the back of the book, because that bad taste in your mouth carries over to them, whether it's fair or unfair.
June 11, 2017
Do your partner a favor and do not read this book when s/he is trying to sleep. You will be laughing too hard, and dying to share this whole book with them!! This collection of writers totally nails the parenting experience. You'll be nodding along as they recount insane diaper-changing acrobatics, the pressures of breast vs bottle, and the fresh hell that is traveling with kids. Get this book; you won't be disappointed.
June 28, 2017
I read this book faster than I thought I would. That is because it is a page turner, and also because some of my favorite writer friends are in the book. There are so many hysterical stories that it was hard to pick a favorite. While all of the stories were engaging, I have to say Kathryn Leehane's tampon story made my whole family laugh. Yes, I did read it aloud to my husband and my 20-year-old son. We were in tears.
June 3, 2021
I read this book last week as y daughter reached her 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Of course she knows everything, and this old Babyboomer knows nothing. I loved this book just for the title. This is a book of essays, some funny, some poignant, some not so much, but worth reading. Marked down chapters and sent them along for her to read. She is loving it.
July 30, 2022
Memories (think music)
What a wonderful book of memories! Thank you for the laughs. So cherished. I remember those days and all the expressed feelings, especially as I observe my children raising their own children. These stories are a blessing to a fairly new grandma of 3 (soon to be 4) and a parent until death do I part. Thank you.
What a wonderful book of memories! Thank you for the laughs. So cherished. I remember those days and all the expressed feelings, especially as I observe my children raising their own children. These stories are a blessing to a fairly new grandma of 3 (soon to be 4) and a parent until death do I part. Thank you.
July 4, 2023
Not impressed. It felt quite preachy and I didn't want someone trying to be funny. I wanted to just read stories about situations that parents found themselves in that were funny. It felt forced at times. I wouldn't recommend it. One story had nothing to do with parenting. It was just a story of how she was embarrassed as a middle schooler. 🤷♀️🤦♀️
August 6, 2017
Brilliant parenting advice packaged in hilarious anecdotes from some amazing bloggers. Great book to have on hand when you have little time. This book can be read in short bursts. A way better use of your time than looking at your phone.
October 26, 2017
Jen Mann has a knack for picking the funniest humor writers. It's funny but even more it's real. I laughed the whole way through. I love anthologies because I can take my time to read each chapter but this book, I read it straight through. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews