If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother

If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother
Anita Renfroe
Navpress
ISBN: 1-57683-993-1
Non-Fiction, Relationships
Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady

Excellent title. It grabbed my attention right away and made me want to find out more about this book. The title also held promises of a touch of humour and real insight into the nature of mothers and daughters. Even with these extremely high expectations, I was not disappointed. I laughed, I cried, I remembered, and then I handed the book to my daughter to read.
If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother is a collection of memories and tips about being a first time parent. All those little things that took us completely off guard and that we wish our mother, our sister, or a really good girlfriend would have told us. Many of these situations made us cry at the time but are now our most cherished memories.
The book also tells the other side of the story, as well. Many Baby Boomers are part of that Oreo lifestyle: raising children and taking care of elderly parents at the same time. The author has some experience in that aspect. Her household contains three generations. In fact, much of the author’s life has been spend living in multigenerational homes, often by choice. There are a lot of benefits, but like any family, it takes a little work to keep chaos from ruling.