Motherhood Smotherhood

July 21, 2014
In her first book, Keith, a mother of two, presents an irreverent manifesto for cavalier mothering. Her philosophy in a nutshell: “I try not to be a dick to my kids, but it’s okay if sometimes they are inconvenienced by my need to be a human in addition to being a mother.” Keith wants mothers to do what works for them, rather than drive themselves crazy in the quest for perfection. According to Keith, decisions that are often cast as “moral imperatives,” such as natural childbirth, are just not that big a deal. With ample self-deprecation, she recalls some of her parenting choices (such as zealously attending mommy groups), rails against the obsession with homemade baby food, and blasts the habit of thanking dad for “babysitting” his children. Though the chapter urging women to shelve the mommy wars is brave and important, and many new mothers will enjoy Keith’s musings, the book feels light on content. Agent: Jill Marr, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.

Starred review from August 1, 2014

Keith earned her stripes by writing online, so her diatribe here against that community is a bit like biting the hand that feeds you. On the other hand, having spent considerable time in that foxhole, the author is likely qualified to speak of battle. Parenting boards, Keith writes, are "among the darkest and most pestilent trenches of the Internet," awash in anxiety, judgment, and pointless debate, and "the vast majority of chatter surrounding parenthood is junk." With the goal to steer parents clear of those potholes, she offers a searing indictment of comment sections' and overbearing parents' shortcomings and related repercussions. While often angry and flip in tone, Keith is nonetheless witty and on-point. VERDICT With a bit of hesitation, Keith's work earns a star for both insight and alacrity. The author's writing is sharp, her arguments valid, and her book timely. Enthusiastically recommended; let's hope this isn't the last we hear from Keith.

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