Ketchup Is A Vegetable: And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves by Robin O’Bryant is one mom’s account of all the trials and tribulations of parenthood. Robin is the mother of three daughters born within four years. Her book is organized as a collection of essays covering topics such as breastfeeding, traveling with children, and explaining the birds and the bees to your preschooler.
If you have boys, you’ll be shocked to learn that her girls are just as rambunctious and mischievous as your sons. I was particularly amused by her story of how her daughters managed to con her out of her clothes in exchange for a good night’s sleep! Her account of the FBI’s visit to her house, while not exactly a typical parenthood experience, is also a must-read.
The stories in Ketchup Is A Vegetable: And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves are not in chronological order, which means the ages of the children are continually changing. However, you’re likely to be laughing so hard by the time you’re finished reading that you won’t care about this minor detail.
I’d highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a pick-me-up that will make you feel better about your struggles as a mom. Because each essay could theoretically stand on its own, Ketchup Is A Vegetable: And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves is the perfect book to read in between refereeing fights, cooking dinner, and wiping spilled apple juice off the kitchen table. When you’re finished, you’ll be looking at all the crazy things your kids do as material for your own bestseller!
photo credit: Barnes & Noble
