Rating: 
Summary: Loved It!
Review: I purchased this book three weeks after my baby was born. I absolutely loved it! Just when you feel like you are the only person who is going through sleepless nights, breastfeeding pain, and much more, she makes you realize you are not alone. My husband and I laughed so hard at a couple of chapters we actually cried. She puts a humorous touch on some of the not so pleasant issues. I finally realized that everybody else who has ever had a baby has gone through these things. Having a baby is the most wonderful experience in the world, but there are some difficult times in the beginning. This book is NOT meant to be read before you have a baby; READ IT A WEEK OR TWO AFTER YOUR BABY IS BORN!
Rating:
Summary: The Girlfriend's Guide to Surviving the First Year of Mother
Review: I had to respond once I read the reviews on this book. I have read all of Iovine's girlfriends guides and just love them. They are meant to be fun and amusing, to put a little humor into our daily lives as mothers. This is not intended to be a serious child rearing book, but a light hearted portrayal of what to expect and to poke fun at it. I find them all to be great comic relief. Lighten up people and take it with a grain of salt for what it is intended as, entertainment. I've given all her various books to my girlfriends as they become mothers/ pregnant, what have you and will contuine to do so. I think they're great, just what the "girlfriend" ordered! Plus, they're hilarious!
Rating: 
Summary: Depressing!
Review: The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy was my life-saver. I absolutely adored that book; it was funny but realistic. So when my due date began to approach, I was thrilled to purchase this book and start reading. Well, what a mistake! This book contains all the "real dirt" of baby/motherhood, true. But in this case, I think that too much honesty (or is it too much whining) can be detrimental. The author drones on and on about the negatives (I think there is one up-beat chapter about baby-love) and frankly, I was flat out depressed after every reading session. This book scared me to death and had me convinced (and not in a joking/funny way) that I would not sleep, eat, bathe or leave the house for months after the baby was born, all the while being dressed in stained, ragged clothes while my husband regularly wanted gourmet dinners served on time! Not a pretty picture for a first-time Mom who has no idea what to expect, and who is already feeling scared and vulnerable.
Rating: 
Summary: What a waste....
Review: What's with Vicki ....the book is neither wise nor witty...just nuerotic and annoying after a point.....just note that all the girlfriends including vicki had paid help ..and still whine so much! ...well i too have a live-in nanny for my 3 month old daughter and believe me it takes most of the stress out of mothering...so what is vicki talking about! ...and to insist that all women have baby blues...not to mention the obession with weight...it is a wonder that vicki liked ANY part of motherhood at all. DONT waste your money on this one...it sucks.
Rating: 
Summary: Like a wacky friend you roll your eyes at but love...
Review: I adore her "Guide to Pregnancy" and she figuratively "held my hand" through some scary prenatal testing. When all the big "serious" tomes were scaring me, I literally underlined Vicki's assurances and read them non-stop for a week. This installment is weaker than the Pregnancy guide but still quite enjoyable. To be frank, Vicki does tend to laugh at some of the parenting choices I hold tantamount - breastfeeding, co-sleeping, etc. -- but she does so from her OWN perspective, not claiming any "expert" status to back up her "not for this girl!" line of thinking. In that manner Vicki is like a warm, wacky, friend who you have over for coffee and who will say absolutely outlandish things - causing you to say "oh that Vicki!" and roll your eyes at her silliness and frame of mind even as you love her for being, well, HER.
Rating:
Summary: Wise-Maybe, Witty-No
Review: After laughing my way through the Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, I was disappointed to work my way through this book with hardly a chuckle. Without the wit, this book serves as a guide to the first year of baby's growth and there are many better guides out there. Trusty Dr Spock, or the Sears' guides to infants and babies are much better.
Rating:
Summary: Loved this book....
Review: As a first time mother of a six week old baby, this book was one of the best highlights of my postpartum life. After reading some of the other reviews it seems some people took this book a bit too seriously... it may not present the glamorized idea of motherhood that so much of society seems to cling to, but it's REAL. It's real life coming from a real mom who tells you in a funny and honest way what this mother stuff is really like. And you know what? She's been exactly right so far! It's helped me to feel that I am not alone in this, that alot of other women have experienced that same things and that it's OK... that more than anything is what you need to hear. I would recommend Vickie's books to anyone who's expecting... you will definitely enjoy them!
Rating:
Summary: Sarcastic and rude to moms who care
Review: This book definitely had some funny parts. I smiled and even giggled once or twice. However, the only reason I finished reading this book was because I wanted to see how many times the author could offend me and mock my parenting choices. This book is rude to so many. It is not at all breastfeeding friendly. It is also not conducive to intuitive parenting. She glosses over some important guidelines for babies and moms. If you want a little humor and don't mind a grand dose of sarcasm and belittling, then this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Gather around girlfriends, this is good spirited advice
Review: I had to write a review after I read some of the other reviews. As a parent expecting my third child, I found this book to light-heartedly reflect on many of the fears of parenthood. At this time in your life one may need help finding laughter after feeling unsure caring for your new family (husband and baby). I just found this book and have been giving it as a gift. If your feelings are hurt by this book, wait until your child does not test into the preschool of your dreams! Get over it. This book is a good fun read. Leave it out for your husband to find.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: After reading and loving the pregnancy guide, I was so looking forward to this book. Halfway through, I got bored. And the breastfeeding/formula perm comment was completely narrow minded and insensitive, especially when you're a first time mom struggling with the adjustment, and have the baby blues, and breastfeeding die hards are surrounding you. I expected a nonjudgemental outlook by Iovine and was sadly disappointed. By the way, I know lots of people who formula feed and I live in Chicago, not exactly perm central. All in all, big disappointment. I won't be buying the toddler guide.
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