I don't think I've laughed so hard in a while! The super-savvy Libbi Gorr and her hostess with the mostess, the gorgeous Dixie Marshall (who offered to sleep with Map Guy - it's a long story), who have been good friends for years, had Aunty Penny and I almost wetting ourselves laughing. Tricky wasn't too impressed because he was asleep on my lap and every time I guffawed he would startle. Sorry, Tricks, but Mama needed a little break in the tension.
I've admired Libbi (see that, we're totally on a first name basis now) from her days on Live & Sweaty when she was the Doc-Marten clad Elle McFeast - though I'll admit to not actually caring about the content (sport, ick), I just liked the way she was able to make hunky footballers feel uncomfortable by asking the questions no one else could. For someone like me who is a born shit-stirrer, it really appealed.
This is Libbi's first book, and it was "written in between feeds" and is perfect for reading that way too because it's little snippets of information and you don't have to remember plot or even characters (see Time, Never Enough p173). Plus you'll get a few giggles along the way!
You will learn the difference between a play date and just using a Mummy friend as a free babysitter (see Dumping, Children p45), how to get out of a play date when you really can't be bothered (see Hairdressing Appointment, Feigned p67), how to sound intelligent when your eyes are falling out of your skull (see Sleep Deprived p156; Dostoevsky p43) and how one may be punished if seen to be treating another Mummy ungraciously (see Chops, Quick Slap Across The p30; Bitch, She's Such A p19).
If it wasn't for the AVO, we'd be besties |
If you would like to get your hands on this book, which will help you navigate your way around the social nuances of Mamahood, then run off to your local book stores and for $29.99 it can all be yours... or if you'd like to get your hands on a SIGNED COPY then all you have to do is be a follower of Where's My Glow? and leave a comment below telling me your best Mummy Manners tip (mine would be: Despite it's comedic value, it's best not to intentionally spray breastmilk on another Mummy). If you'd like a bonus entry you can tweet this giveaway then come back and leave a comment letting me know!
TAC: Entry is open to Australian residents only. Twitter entries must be added as a separate comment. Prize will be drawn on Wednesday 27th April at 8pm AWST. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator - to ensure you are contactable, sign in to Disqus (the comment platform) with a valid email address. Winners will be announced on the Where's My Glow? Facebook page and notified via email. Winners have one week to respond to the notification before a redraw.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Mummy Manners from HarperCollins Publishing... I chose to get that copy signed to give away.
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Glowless rocked the Aussie Bloggers Conference thanks to
This tip is for the non-mummies because I really do think a Mummy would know better... It is never ok to ask a woman is she is 'expecting'. Not unless there is a baby actually making it's escape from her privates - then, you can be reasonably certain she is in fact having a baby, not too much pasta or is still carrying a baby belly from the last small person she created.
ReplyDeleteSmiling and nodding when the other mother thinks her kid is the cutest thing in the whole wide world even though we all know MY kids are.
ReplyDeleteOh, my Golden Rule is no matter who you are do not offer unasked for advice. Ever!
ReplyDeleteMy best Mummy Manners tip is to never change a nappy on the table I'm eating at in the Play Cafe! The changeroom is not far away, I can do without the stench! (Yes an acquaintance actually did this once) LOL
ReplyDeleteIm a follower - Di from Max The Unicorn
djchilds {at} hot mail dot com
Following where is my glow!!
ReplyDeleteMy tip would be if you want to be friends with a Mum: Stop sprouting all this random crap about your child. I do not care your baby is crawling/walking/sitting/standing etc.
Motherhood is not a competition.
(Unfortunately a 'friend' and I are not so close anymore as whenever we chat she goes on and on and on about how cute and clever her baby is BORING!!)
Ive just hit the tweet button above and tweeted it too :) Tweet is here
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/FunkieFrog/status/59774146711781379
Don't EVER judge a lady for being pregnant if they are not married, CUDOs also for judging someone who has had an elective C-Section...
ReplyDeleteAlready a follower :D
Don't ever share your birth story with a pregnant first time mum... A great quick easy labour will have her worried if hers goes on "too long" and a long complicated labour will have her terrified.
ReplyDeleteMy advice: make up a code word so you are not lost for words when coming face to face with a fuggo baby.
ReplyDeleteI tweeted too!!
ReplyDeleteOk...Please LISTEN when other mumma friends are sharing their hard times with you, please DO NOT interrupt them with tales of your own offspring, Thank you! Rant over :-)
ReplyDeleteMy best Mummy Manners are on display when the mother in law comes out with her random comments, like this pearler: "(her) You have lovely teeth my dear, (me) thankyou, mum and dad paid a fortune for them! (her) what do you mean?, (me) I had braces (her) Well! None of MY children had braces... But then, i didn't fed them rubbish when they were children."
ReplyDeleteYes the Mummy Manners are working overtime to just smile and nod, when i really want to WWF smackdown that woman.
PS: got the bakers delight voucher! thankyou so much! Its amazing to get something addressed to me thats not a bill!
when having play dates pick up/ drop off time is agreed on for a reason its only polite not to be tardy
ReplyDeleteIf you happen to use a friend's wonderful babysitter, who they've kindly given you the number of in an emergency situation, don't turn around and book up that hard searched out beautiful babysitter for the next umpteen dozen weekends.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower & have Tweeted earlier today too.
Mmmmm - best mummy manners tip I can think of is to remember that motherhood is not an extreme competitive sport...
ReplyDeleteHope all is well in your world, Glowless.
xx
Pick me. Pick me.
ReplyDeleteMy mummy manners tip is Do Not Take Your Children to IKEA - EVER. It just sucks all round and i know because I was there today buying all kinds of stuff I don't even need.
Mummy Manners Tip: Don't ever presume that another mother can't possibly be THAT sensitive about their child... they are whinging about you right now for that comment you made!
ReplyDeleteMy best Mummy manners tip - Remember that just because another Mummy has had a different experience to yours (whether it be in regard to breastfeeding, delivery, sleep or lack thereof, tantrums etc etc) does not mean that you are required to judge their choices. Each to their own. Everyone's different. Support not judgement!
ReplyDeleteTweet, Tweet, Tweeted!
ReplyDeleteIt's best not to make any comments to a pregnant woman regarding name choices before the birth. Even ones mentioned in jest may be out for a trial run and you never know when you are going to offend a hormonal woman!
ReplyDeleteWatch your Mummy Manners - if I want to breastfeed my walking, talking toddler, keep your thoughts to yourself... I'm not making any comment or judgement on how you fed/feed your child!
ReplyDeletePerfect Mummy Manners include NEVER EVER stating that you will be militant in the raising of your child i.e I'll never give baby a dummy. We never feed our precious in the car. I'd never drink 3 glasses of wine to cope with the witching hour. Oh, I'd never feed my child OVEN CHIPS as a complete & whole dinner. Watch your words Mums & then you'll never have to swallow them :) Emma from Emma@bluechiptiming.com.au
ReplyDeleteNew mummies-to-be - take it from me, get all the sleep you can get NOW!! You will never ever sleep again. Its over rated anyway.
ReplyDeleteand I have tweeted!!
ReplyDeleteIt's not ok to ask someone you don't know intimately - "did you tear?"
ReplyDeleteIf the new mother wants to give you a visual of her vagina, she will bring it up.
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mjellyicus/status/61993750339125248
ReplyDeleteWhen crossing a busy road with a pram and there's no pedestrian crossing - always go pram first. All cars stop for prams, errr... Mummies! Unless it's a highway - then you should probably find a crossing....
ReplyDeleteTip: when somebody points out you have brown dirt on your face and you know you haven't been gardening. Just laugh it off and reach for wipes and dettol.
ReplyDeleteMy tip would be to listen to your own Mothers advice, we all know Mum's can be annoying and their advice may not be what you go for, but they have done it all before with us so at least take the time to listen.
ReplyDeleteAtoxim at gmail dot com
I have met some very bad mannered mummies, would love to read and laugh at this book.
ReplyDeleteMy best MM tip is to not to ask why they have such a big age gap between children...
I re tweeted before I even entered - my little drummer.
ReplyDeleteDonald Duck - I see some of myself in Donald Duck. He has a short temper, which I have been known to have. But overall, he has a positive outlook on life! He 'quacks' me up!
ReplyDeleteMy mummy manners tip is to not question the mum in mother's group who's child sleeps through from birth. Just smile and know she is lying.
ReplyDeleteAm following as think we may have a similar self-deprecating sense of humour, check out my blog at http://www.myidealife.com.au
Cheers
NIcole
I don't have any tips tonight could take some though... My youngest daughter decided to give her sister a haircut! And cut half her hair off!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe my tip should be.. Keep scissors out of top drawers the little suckers can still reach them!!