Rating: 
Summary: Humerous Look at Finacial Part in Having a Child
Review: I saw this book at a library display and decided to read it. What a refreshing and unique way of looking at having a baby, especially a daughter. I was able to relate to so many of the stories and laugh at the creativity of the author. Wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: very funny
Review: I thought this book was quite funny and warm. I would hope that people could get the joke - obviously some readers don't. I do recommend it as a gift to mothers.
Rating:
Summary: Hysterically funny -- even for a non-mom
Review: I'm not a mom and I've never spent much time around babies, but I couldn't stop laughing when I read this book after a (pregnant) friend recommeded it. Howie's tongue-in-cheek cynicism was a welcome relief from the "sugar and spice" babydom I had expected. Now I know what to bring to the next baby shower I attend!
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Book for a first time mom!!
Review: Loved it. I wish I had it when my daughter was born. Betsy writes about so many of the ups and downs of the first year. I will be purchasing it for all girlfriends when their first children are born!
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Book for a first time mom!!
Review: Loved it. I wish I had it when my daughter was born. Betsy writes about so many of the ups and downs of the first year. I will be purchasing it for all girlfriends when their first children are born!
Rating: 
Summary: Joke Abuse
Review: The idea of a parent keeping track of every little expense incurred by raising a child with the intent of making the child pay for it is kind of funny.
Sort of.
But the author harps on the topic, beating the joke into the ground until I wanted to tell her to put down the calculator and pick up her kid.
The viginettes of life with Callie are often amusing, but the overall feel of the book, with Mom retentively counting every cent spent on her innocent offspring, is surprisingly distasteful.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book!
Review: This book made me laugh out loud, cry, really think - like any good story, movie or bottle of wine. The writing is fresh and very funny. One of my favorite lines is when Callie is wearing a new dress that wouldn't allow her to nap because when she moved the crinoline woke her up. She doesn't get any stains on it with her "Ninja spit-up maneuvers". The author states that "Clearly, this girl was born for dry-clean only." That is funny stuff. There is line and after line of funny commentary about her child that makes me laugh out loud.
For me, the tally is secondary to the ever changing dynamic between mother and daughter : Callie and her mom, and the author and her mother. I like how the book is about how families take care of each other and in the author's case, her family is more than just blood, it includes friends, co-workers, and her community.
I like that at the end of the book Callie has the final say. Callie assures us, the reader, that everyone is okay despite the worry she knows her mother feels. This touched my heart (read: tears flowed)And thank you notes ARE the foundation of civilization.
Rating: 
Summary: Obviously oblivious to the gift of a child
Review: This is either a poor attempt at humor or a new level of selfishness and coldness towards an unborn child! This author will hopefully grow up before her child does.
Rating: 
Summary: A new angle
Review: We all owe our moms, but who can quantify it? Finally, we get the real answer from Betsy Howie, who is brave enough to tell it like it really is and funny enough to make the reader love agreeing with her. Having a baby in America truly is a massive consumer experience, but fortunately the author handles it all with an eye on what's really important. Take away the strollers and layettes, and what you have left is the love and caring that count. Howie is able to experience and communicate it all deeply and honestly. At points I had tears from laughing so hard, and feeling so deeply. Those who criticize her concept simply haven't read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshingly real thoughts on being a mom
Review: We all owe our moms, but who can quantify it? Finally, we get the real answer from Betsy Howie, who is brave enough to tell it like it really is and funny enough to make the reader love agreeing with her. Having a baby in America truly is a massive consumer experience, but fortunately the author handles it all with an eye on what's really important. Take away the strollers and layettes, and what you have left is the love and caring that count. Howie is able to experience and communicate it all deeply and honestly. At points I had tears from laughing so hard, and feeling so deeply. Those who criticize her concept simply haven't read the book.
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