Funny. Would have been better to get a copy at the beginning of my parenting journey than here halfway through. But perhaps the jokes are safer in retrospect?

I really didn't think I would like this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I expected a list of breastfeeding jokes, making fun of new parents, and G-rated poop humor, but I was wrong. The book is more than that and, most importantly, it really is funny. Surprisingly funny! There’s a great mix of sarcasm, derision towards unrealistic parental expectations, and self-deprecation and there is very little saccharine-sweet sentimentality. My only real complaint is that it’s short (though I suppose that’s part of the book’s appeal). I would recommend this book as a great gift for any new parent. ( )

“Welcome to the Club” is a perfect gift for first-time parents. Rather than the standard milestones on which most parenting books focus, “Welcome to the Club” addresses the real issues that every parent will encounter. These are tackled in a way that provides reassurance that you are not the first, nor will you be the last, to have to deal with this. As the parent of three teenagers, “Welcome to the Club” brought back wonderful (yet sometimes ghastly) memories of my earliest parenting experiences. One hopes the author will publish another book for “repeat” parents, to address topics such as “First time you realize that everything you learned about parenting with your first child is useless with regard to the your second, because he or she is a completely different person,” and “First time your 6-year-old watches an R-rated movie.” ( )

Review based on ARC (Advanced Readers Copy received for free in exchange for an honest review)

This appears to be a blog-turned-into-a-book (and if that's not true, then it certainly reads like one!). I am currently pregnant and read the book as a sort of "welcome" that the title announced. In reality, I think the book would probably be a bit more preferred by people who are already parents, especially those in their first few years of parenting.

What D'Apice essentially does is lay out, in a humorous and often sarcastic way, many "firsts" that new parents experience, such as First Time Baby Accidentally Head-Butts You in the Lip or First Time Your Child Refuses to Eat Something or First Car Ride Alone with the Baby When He's Screaming His Head Off. D'Apice does not generally offer advice, so much as camaraderie. She lets new parents know that all the crazy new stuff they're experiencing is normal, not that crazy, and experienced by others. She thus addresses many new parents' fears and frustrations in a funny, light-hearted way.

I think, for me, although I found it generally humorous and fine, I wasn't really blown away. Although I am a soon-to-be parent, I don't think I'm typical in that I am not really concerned about all these things that could and likely will go wrong... this is likely due to the fact that I'm on the older end of "new parents" and the fact that most of my good friends have children, so I've already "seen it all" (not all, of course, but a lot :)). So, it was enjoyable, a quick read, fine. And I think that a lot of new parents will really appreciate it, but it wasn't my favorite, my most amusing, my most helpful book.

Overall, still, Three and a Half of five stars. Solid and certainly recommended for the new parents who feels overwhelmed and alone. ( )

From the creator of The Ugly Volvo blog, this book of parenting milestones is equal parts hilarious and touching, and rings completely true.

Quotes

Milestone #18: A child who wants to reach something is like a professional magician. (36)

#38: First Time You Have Something Resembling A Romantic Relationship Again

#55 [when baby is tugging at her ear, it is] an indication that she either has an ear infection or is about to steal third base.

Accompanying illustration for #59: First Time You Drop Off Your Child At Day Care and Second-Guess Everything About Your Life (drawing of a caregiver holding a baby holding a heart, saying "You can get this back during pickup," as mom examines a hole in her chest)

#97: ...But you will do things you never could have believed you would do and will give up things you never imagined you could do without. ( )