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I Hate Other People's Kids
Sure, children are the greatest gift of all -- but that doesn't mean you want to be seated next to one on an airplane.
From the dawn of time, other people's kids have found ways to spoil things for the rest of us. Movie theaters, parks, restaurants -- every venue that should be a place of refuge and relaxation has instead become a freewheeling playground complete with shrieks, wails, and ill-timed excretions.
Now, I Hate Other People's Kids delivers a complete handbook for navigating a world filled with tiny terrors -- and their parents. It boldly explores how children's less- endearing traits have disrupted life throughout history ("And they say Jesus loved the little children, all the children of the world, but he never had to dine with one. He chose the lepers") and classifies important subspecies of tyke, from "Little Monsters" (Dennis the Menace, Bamm-Bamm Rubble) to the "So Good It Hurts" variety (Dakota Fanning, Ricky Schroeder in The Champ). Dotted with illuminating sidebars such as "Parents Think It's Cute, but It Isn't" and featuring tips on ingeniously turning the tables without seeming childish yourself, I Hate Other People's Kids is clever, unforgiving, and sidesplittingly funny.
From the dawn of time, other people's kids have found ways to spoil things for the rest of us. Movie theaters, parks, restaurants -- every venue that should be a place of refuge and relaxation has instead become a freewheeling playground complete with shrieks, wails, and ill-timed excretions.
Now, I Hate Other People's Kids delivers a complete handbook for navigating a world filled with tiny terrors -- and their parents. It boldly explores how children's less- endearing traits have disrupted life throughout history ("And they say Jesus loved the little children, all the children of the world, but he never had to dine with one. He chose the lepers") and classifies important subspecies of tyke, from "Little Monsters" (Dennis the Menace, Bamm-Bamm Rubble) to the "So Good It Hurts" variety (Dakota Fanning, Ricky Schroeder in The Champ). Dotted with illuminating sidebars such as "Parents Think It's Cute, but It Isn't" and featuring tips on ingeniously turning the tables without seeming childish yourself, I Hate Other People's Kids is clever, unforgiving, and sidesplittingly funny.
138 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2006
2 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 23, 2011
I wish I could give this book more than five stars. This book was thoroughly amusing to me. There were several points were I laughed out loud. And she is damn accurate when describing the different types of annoying children that exist. This book is perfect for people (like myself) who cannot stand children. And I'd recommend giving the book as a gift to ignorant parents who need to get a clue and try a little something with their kids called "discipline".
August 10, 2008
Absolutely hilarious.
The pictures were even funny.
I wanted to laugh out loud so many times I had to keep pinching myself.
I read this aloud to my mom and she laughed with me.
The cursing was enough to drive the point home.
Most of the time, Other People's Kids SUCK!
The pictures were even funny.
I wanted to laugh out loud so many times I had to keep pinching myself.
I read this aloud to my mom and she laughed with me.
The cursing was enough to drive the point home.
Most of the time, Other People's Kids SUCK!
November 27, 2011
I was really disappointed in this. I expected something hip, funny, and perhaps some practical advice for dealing with OPK (other people's kids.)
This book is just MEAN. And full of hyperbole and exaggerations.
Nope. Nothing realistic, and trying WAY too hard to be snarky.
It just comes off as bitter, freaky and sad.
The only good part was it was short.
This book is just MEAN. And full of hyperbole and exaggerations.
Nope. Nothing realistic, and trying WAY too hard to be snarky.
It just comes off as bitter, freaky and sad.
The only good part was it was short.
February 28, 2019
Basically this book is a comedian's routine and the title says it all. It's a fast, funny read that complains about over-privileged, entitled, spoiled brats and the havoc they cause in everyday situations. Meet bad kids at the movies, on an airplane, in a grocery store, at a party, in a restaurant or at an amusement park. You will see and hear familiar sights at every turn. This is probably not a book to give to or read in front of a doting parent. But for those of us without children, it truly is a hoot. The author has appeared on The Daily Show, Conan O'Brien and other television programs. Her material will resonate with anyone who has had their personal space invaded by other people's children.
February 1, 2018
Not going to lie— an alarming percentage of this book rang true to me, but It was a little (a lot) redundant. Glad to finally have read it as a good friend who knows my dislike for other people’s children thought it was an appropriate gift. (It was, indeed!)
January 8, 2019
I read this short little book in a few hours this afternoon, while being exiled to the back of the house by OPK (Other People's Kids) who spent the good part of five hours in front of my house, having what appeared to be a yelling contest. Fitting, no?
I had read some of the reviews of the book before purchasing, and many seemed to think that the author was full of hatred. I have to admit that, after reading the book, I can't quite figure out if it was an attempt to be funny, or if the author actually "hates" children. To me, that word almost implies violence, so I was a little uncomfortable with her liberal use of the term. She also seems to confuse the children themselves with the parenting (or lack of parenting) that produced the little monsters. Not every child will fling food in a restaurant. There are some (I'm assuming, anyway) who have been taught proper behaviour by their parents. At least, we can hope there are...
For anyone who's ever had the misfortune of running into any of the types of children she profiles in the book, it's an amusing look at... well, the truth. Most people who will have major problems with this book are probably the kind of parents with the kind of kids who are described so amusingly within its pages. And the author does make some good points: children should not be allowed in adult-oriented movies, young children should not be taken to fancy restaurants, etc.
All in all, it wasn't a bad read, but I think it would have been a lot funnier without quite as much venom and the word "hate". Hey, I'm annoyed by most kids, and even I was a little offended.
I had read some of the reviews of the book before purchasing, and many seemed to think that the author was full of hatred. I have to admit that, after reading the book, I can't quite figure out if it was an attempt to be funny, or if the author actually "hates" children. To me, that word almost implies violence, so I was a little uncomfortable with her liberal use of the term. She also seems to confuse the children themselves with the parenting (or lack of parenting) that produced the little monsters. Not every child will fling food in a restaurant. There are some (I'm assuming, anyway) who have been taught proper behaviour by their parents. At least, we can hope there are...
For anyone who's ever had the misfortune of running into any of the types of children she profiles in the book, it's an amusing look at... well, the truth. Most people who will have major problems with this book are probably the kind of parents with the kind of kids who are described so amusingly within its pages. And the author does make some good points: children should not be allowed in adult-oriented movies, young children should not be taken to fancy restaurants, etc.
All in all, it wasn't a bad read, but I think it would have been a lot funnier without quite as much venom and the word "hate". Hey, I'm annoyed by most kids, and even I was a little offended.
July 15, 2015
Oh, it's so good. It made me laugh so hard I needed to put the book down to wipe the tears out of my eyes and catch my breath. No, I don't literally hate the children of other people. In fact, I think children are a beautiful, precious blessing. But I've also been irritated by screaming kids running wild in public places. (Although, it's not really the fault of those kids; it's their parents who are the problem.) I think most people who have spent some time around children, especially other people's children, will be able to relate to the humorous observations of this book. Some of the reviews have criticized it for being mean-spirited and bitter, and I would concur that those are fair opinions. It may not be a suitable book for those who are overly sensitive or easily offended. But it's a quick and highly enjoyable read for anyone who has ever been annoyed by an unruly child and is looking for a hearty laugh.
June 3, 2010
I don't hate kids as such, but I absolutely hate it when parents don't discipline their children. So I was quite surprised when I found this book to be overly harsh. Mainly I was looking for useful tips on handling yucky situations involving other people's children but I only found two that I thought would be useful and one of them I'd already read on a website somewhere anyway. Tip one: If a toddler throws a tantrum, throw a tantrum right next to them. People say this works because it's an unexpected reaction. Tip two: Tell a misbehaving child that if they don't stop doing what they're doing Santa Claus will die. This one seems a bit mean on the surface but I think if you used it sparingly the nong parents would try to reassure poor little precious that this isn't true, plus maybe they will actually do something if you draw their attention to the fact that their kid is a pain.
January 3, 2009
The one redeeming feature of this book is that it is a quick read (2 naps worth).
The description of this book states that it is "sidesplittingly funny" - maybe I have extra tough sides but the best it got out of me was a slight smile.
I was hoping for amusing anecdotes of Other People's Kids (OPK) - but all I got was hackneyed stereotypes. The only mildly amusing portion was Section 4 (How to Deal) in particular the suggestion to film you passing kidney stones and force friends who showed you their birth video to watch, and the idea of the dog birthday (in true extreme toddler birthday fashion).
Frankly I wouldn't waste my time on this book.
The description of this book states that it is "sidesplittingly funny" - maybe I have extra tough sides but the best it got out of me was a slight smile.
I was hoping for amusing anecdotes of Other People's Kids (OPK) - but all I got was hackneyed stereotypes. The only mildly amusing portion was Section 4 (How to Deal) in particular the suggestion to film you passing kidney stones and force friends who showed you their birth video to watch, and the idea of the dog birthday (in true extreme toddler birthday fashion).
Frankly I wouldn't waste my time on this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2008
The book pretty much sports its punch line in the title. Not much to it except to agree or disagree. I tend to agree with its premise so I blew a few dollars on it. As funny as the premise is, It would be as effective as a poster or a bumper sticker. Good book to put next to the toilet (or potty chair).
February 6, 2010
Dealing with OPKs on a daily basis, this book was spot on when it comes to the different kind of "little" people that roam our world nowadays. Although the book is meant as a "gag" book, the humor is definitely true and it's a great book when you need to destress after dealing with OPKs all day long.
November 3, 2011
Seriously disappointing. I picked this book up as a bit of a joke and thought it might be a laugh but it wasn't funny so much as it was whinny and annoying. It comes off as bitter and cynical and I can't help feeling a little sorry for the author. She does sound like she's having a rather hard time with life.
June 21, 2015
Hilarious and jaw-droppingly honest with pages that made me think, Wow that's true... and why have I never thought of that?
This book is full of things that many of us have thought of at some points in our lives but not many have dared to voice out. As a result, a lot of parents get more permissive with their children and more brats are running around...
This book is full of things that many of us have thought of at some points in our lives but not many have dared to voice out. As a result, a lot of parents get more permissive with their children and more brats are running around...
June 28, 2017
You have to have a rather warped, irreverent sense of humor to enjoy this book. That being said, I thought it was great! I have to say, I got a kick out of some of the reviews saying they thought it was bitter and harsh or they were expecting to find some tips for how to deal with other people's kids. It's written by a comedian, people! It's not a how-to book! 🤣
June 11, 2007
It's not that kids per se are annoying, it's kids who run amok. Frost, with her tongue firmly in cheek, identifies what's wrong with kids and groups them into different categories (the "genius," "the terror," etc) and how one can deal with these little monsters.
This is an incredibly fast read!
This is an incredibly fast read!
August 13, 2008
While this book was funny at times, it was so incredibly mean-spirited that I could only take so much of it. I also don't particularly like other people's kids, but this woman sounds like she needs to have her tubes tied.
Want to read
September 24, 2008recommended by Becky the youth librarian. I just realized that many of the parents of those I teach are on my friends list and may blacklist me for seeing such a provocative title. Hopefully you all know me well enough!
May 30, 2009
I laughed so hard I almost peed myself. I watch OPK for a living and yes, I have seen this happen in the home as well as in public. I have witnesses that will atest that my charges NEVER act that way in public!
April 9, 2015
Hilarious. Any book that starts out with "Jesus loved the little children but he never had to dine with one. He preferred to dine with the lepers" is sure to be a winner. Also loved "in 1908 Henry Ford develops the Model T. His daughter Sally Ford develops the phrase "are we there yet?"
January 14, 2008
Frost is fairly dead-on with her descriptions of annoying children. I mostly enjoyed the section on how to turn the tables on kids and exact your revenge.
This is a short, funny read.
This is a short, funny read.
July 8, 2008
This was quick, short read. I thought it was pretty funny.
January 28, 2008
This is a short but FUNNY read!
Don't lie! You know you hate other people's kids too!
Don't lie! You know you hate other people's kids too!
March 3, 2008
no offense... she has one of her own. pretty stink'n funny though.
March 11, 2008
This book is just plain funny. "Jesus may have blessed all the little children but he chose to eat dinner with the lepers..."
March 22, 2008
HA HA! Just joking. I don't hate other people's kids at all!
June 29, 2008
A very quick read. Got funnier towards the end; there are several suggestions for retaliation. I did feel like I was reading a script to someone's stand-up act.
Read
May 2, 2008I want to read this book but the comments you have written sounds terrific and the book title would really make me want to read it because i hate other peoples kids
September 24, 2008
that's right... no stars... because it was not even a tiny bit funny!
August 8, 2008
This was pretty funny, but not as "angry" as I anticipated.
December 17, 2008
Not as funny as I had hoped, but an amusing and quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews