Babyproofing Your Marriage: How to Laugh More, Argue Less, and Communicate Better as Your Family Grows

by Cathy O'Neill, Stacie Cockrell, Julia Stone

Book Overview

Warning New parents are likely to experience:

Scorekeeping--An exceedingly complex, often relentless, tit-for-tat war waged by husbands and wives over the division of parenting responsibilities and domestic chores.

The Ten O'Clock Shoulder Tap--Considered by many men to be a form of foreplay. A paw on a wife's shoulder is how some men indicate their desire for sex. The Tap is rarely accompanied by a term of endearment or any other...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061173541
• ISBN13: 9780061173547
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Revived my dwindling sense of humor...

I know, you "don't have time to read." Believe me, as a stay-home mom of a 2-yr-old and 2-month-old, I KNOW. So why get another book? This is why I like it and why I've given it to a few close friends: 1. It makes me feel NORMAL, whereas before I felt like some freak of nature and the only person going through these problems! That alone has done wonders for my psyche. 2. It's written by real people moms and not academic experts - they have been in the trenches and lived to tell about it. I especially like the story of the woman who was so exhausted she tried to breastfeed her husband's arm in bed. 3. It shines a lighthearted and humorous light on some otherwise very weighty and serious topics such as extreme fatigue, resentment and other sensitive areas (see chapter titled "Coitus Non-Existus.") I laugh out loud every time I read a section, and a little laughter goes a long way - real stress relief! 4. The analogies are always right on and also funny, like comparing a baby to a hand grenade thrown at a marriage. And then comparing a baby plus a toddler to a full frontal assault including tanks and heat-seeking missiles. Painfully true!!! And comparing husband and wife to circling wolves, ready to fight over any scraps of "free time" that get thrown their way. 5. It is refreshingly non-biased to either sex - both points of view are really represented fairly, so instead of staking wife against husband or vice versa it puts us all on the same team, in this together as parents and spouses. 6. You don't have to read it all the way through. I've only read sections; I can pick it up at a different place each time to get a little perspective. For immediate humor and reality, check out the table on page 196.

Unique and informative read!!

If you have the perfect spouse, children,and know the right answers to everything in all family situations, this book is not for you BUT if you are like the rest of us, which is mostly everyone who is searching for answers, this book is an indispensable read. This book's subject is unique in that it humorously and objectively describes the everyday challenges and issues of a baby's impact on marriage both from the husband and wife's point of view. In doing so, it provides numerous options for solving inevitable conflicts and breakdown in communications, especially in the sensitive subject of sex. I simply could not put this book down and found myself laughing out loud and nodding my head in constant agreement. My only regret is this book was not available years ago when my parents (now divorced) were wading through the minefields of young parenthood. Do yourself a favor and read this book and watch your married life take a quantum leap for the better.

Best Marriage/Parenting Book I've Ever Read

This book is phenomenal and I wish I could give it 10 stars. Not only is it smart, well-written and organized, and highly entertaining, it's also insightful and solution-oriented. I've read a number of books on marriage and parenting, but none that ever combined the two the result is one of the best books I've read in years. This book will clearly be bought and read predominantly by women, but I'd say it gives near-equal billing to men (not bad for female authors) and does an excellent job of telling the male side of the story. The authors seem to truly empathize with the largely untold story of men having their worlds turned upside down (albeit not nearly as much as women) by parenthood. One day they are the center of their spouse's universe (and vice versa) and the next they are relegated to secondary status. The book does an excellent job of describing why this is necessarily (and temporarily) so. Simply stated, if moms didn't focus 100% of their attention on babies, the human species wouldn't survive. Similarly, if males were not so focused on sex (before and after having kids), the human species wouldn't survive either. This powerful idea arguably explains the bulk of male-female disconnect, post-kids. Speaking of sex, the chapter on that subject is amazing and well worth the price of the book alone. The 5-minute fix, which some people might take issue with, is probably not for everyone. But it takes up 1 page out of nearly 300, and as with every suggestion in the book, it's soft-pedaled and clearly stated as something to think about rather than a strong recommendation. The other chapters are full of excellent and entertaining advice - from managing in-laws and multiple kids to striving for life balance (yeah right). My favorite part of the book was the end, which provides heartwarming reflections from grandparents. Most importantly, early parenthood is JUST A PHASE, not unlike military boot-camp. If couples work hard TOGETHER and respect each other's needs and idiosyncrasies, the ultimate payoff is incredible, and your marriage can grow stronger due to parenthood. I've read a number of blog reviews on the book and they seem to be overwhelmingly positive. There are a couple of negative reviews, which I suppose is to be expected from a book that's original and opinionated. The funny thing is, most of the controversial/offensive stuff in the book comes from interview quotes rather than the authors themselves. Anything that might come across as offensive is likely meant to be humorous (and this book is really funny). If anything, the authors are extremely balanced and non-judgmental, which is impressive given the controversial nature of the subject material. I can see where feminists might take issue with some of the content, but I see A LOT more here that feminists would embrace. Parts (as with any good book) require at least a somewhat open mind. That said, I think the political substance here is very very mainstream. A

A Must Read!!!!

I just finished reading "Babyproofing" and have only one criticism: that it wasn't written 17 years ago!!! I am a married mother of three boys ages 16,9,and 2. My husband and I could've used this book a long time ago! I truly enjoyed this funny, light hearted page turner. I laughed outloud as I related all too well. This book is for all couples whether you've been married forever or just getting started. If you want to survive through your childrens' future milestones with not only your marriage intact but your sanity as well, I highly suggest reading this book. I have one in diapers and one behind the wheel, and my husband and I are still learning. This book reminded us that we're not alone and you can laugh at yourself every now and then. If you have kids- read it. And if you're contemplating having kids then don't do anything until you read this book first!