Title: Mummy Fever (Mission Accomplished)
Author: Charlotte Pearson
Genre: Contemporary
Book blurb
It was the best of times … It was the worst
of times ... 'Mummy Fever: Mission Accomplished' is a determinedly honest
blow-by-blow account of young motherhood that will remind you why you vowed
never to have a second child, and why you probably broke that vow two years
later. Discover how to open a door gracefully to a perfect stranger half-naked
and covered head-to-toe in ... well, never mind, how to grow eight arms, how to
fend off the hapless and intrusive advice of your rampaging mother-in-law, how
to run a marathon only a few months after you have given birth, and how to deal
with an inattentive husband who isn't planning on changing his life at all.
But, above all, remind yourself that young motherhood is a time of enchantment,
despite the very real challenges, and a love story, at least towards the
children.
Review
Pregnancy and motherhood is one of the
hardest things that anyone ever has to go to, and no one ever tells you the
worst parts of it. This book gives you
an insight into some of these, in a diary format written by the mother
figure. It’s an easy read that delivers
the highlights and lowlights of emotions that I’m sure every new mum has been
through, which made me laugh on many occasions.
I loved reading it, seeing how someone else felt about it all, and she
really hit the nail on the head at times.
I’m sure that both males and females, whether they are parents or not,
will appreciate some of the diary entries, and could easily relate to the
characters.
Author Bio
Charlotte Pearson was born in Leicester in 1979 and lived with her
parents, both teachers and younger brother, Sam. After completing her
studies at Lutterworth Grammar School, in 1998 she was accepted to Keele
University to study Sociology, Applied Social Studies and later
completing a masters in International Relations. She also spent time at
the University of Kyoto, Japan. Charlotte now lives in North Wales with
her partner and three children.
Links
Book
Excerpts
Excerpt #1
Octopus Required: Apply Within
Octopuses are characterized by their eight
arms, usually bearing suction cups. Hmmm, how useful that would be.
This morning Adam left early for work. I
really needed to get into the shower, so I got set up with everything. I turned
the television on in the bedroom, sat Poppy in the middle of the bed to watch
it, and put Ben in his cushion seat in the doorway of the shower room so I
could see him.
I crossed my fingers and got in.
Two minutes in I heard a bang. Ben was
fine, so what on earth was Poppy up to, I wondered.
I called to her. No reply.
I quickly washed the soap off and got out.
Ben started to cry, and as I looked into the bedroom, Poppy was systematically
pulling all the drawers out and emptying the contents onto the floor.
I had my own issues. I had blood leaking
down between my legs and milk spraying out of both boobs, and both my breast
pads and sanitary towels were nowhere to be seen.
Then I saw them - Poppy had stuck them to
the wall.
Later I was breastfeeding Ben and trying to
encourage Poppy to use the potty. Ben was clamped onto my boob, but Poppy had
got into a mess, so I was also trying to change her. Instead of sitting on the
potty she had hidden in the corner of the room and created a puddle.
I also had dinner cooking, and the washing
machine and dryer on. Then someone rang me about a work problem, and as I was
trying to sort that out, there was a knock at the door and I had to sign for a
parcel.
Surprisingly all these things were achieved
and the only giveaway was to the parcel delivery man who saw me with a baby on
my boob, a naked toddler at my side and the phone to my ear. He did say dinner
smelt nice, though.
If I could choose another persona it would
have to be that of an octopus.
Excerpt #2
A mirror image
After meeting my friend I decided I would
not waste the two hours it took me to get out of the house, combined with the
thirty-five minute drive and expensive car park, and I would take the
opportunity to grab a few things I needed from the shops at the same time.
In my head I knew this was another mistake,
just like the coffee shop. Someone was bound to need a nappy change, or the
toilet, or a feed, or SOMETHING, but I was not going to be defeated!
While in one of the big department stores,
I spotted a wild-eyed woman with uncombed hair, something down her top and a
mismatched outfit, looking slightly deranged as she walked towards me with her
pram.
Then I realized I was about to walk into a
full-length mirror.
