I Want My Epidural Back

A “hilarious, refreshingly honest” look at parenting from the New York Times–bestselling author of I Heart My Little A-holes.” (Elle Walker, cofounder of What's Up Moms).

Moms and dads today worry they’re bad parents. They see others on Facebook and Pinterest showing off their smiley, perfect, put-together spotless children creating masterworks of art in their gorgeously designed playrooms. They constantly hear moms brag about whipping up three-course gourmet dinners while their kids sit quietly reading books far beyond their grade level. They read posts from parents complaining that they can’t get their daughter to eat her French fries because she’s too full from broccoli.

But Karen Alpert knows this is not reality. Despite what you hear and read every day, you do not need to be perfect to be a kickass parent. Parenting is messy. Parenting is hard. Parenting brings out the best AND the worst in adults. And some of the best parents in the world are mediocre parents. Karen proudly admits she’s a mediocre parent, and in I Want My Epidural Back she’ll make you believe that “mediocre parents are awesome too.”

Karen shares her honest, crass, pee-in-your-pants funny observations, stories, quips, and essays on discipline, potty training, eating, sleeping and more that will make you laugh and have you nodding your head in recognition. Observing the world of parents and children through her edgy and unique perspective, Karen brings reality into focus, reminding moms and dads everywhere to celebrate and embrace their own not-so-perfect-yet-totally-wonderful parenthood.