The Hip Mama Survival Guide: Advice from the Trenches on Pregnancy, Childbirth, Cool Names, Clueless Doctors, Potty Training, and Toddler Avengers by Ariel Gore

The Hip Mama Survival Guide: Advice from the Trenches on Pregnancy, Childbirth, Cool Names, Clueless Doctors, Potty Training, and Toddler Avengers Reviews

• 
  Lisa

  I have been spending entirely too much time checking the blogs of perfect blissed-out hippy women who become wealthy from people following along on their bliss about life, motherhood and crafts. Lisa, get a life and come back to planet earth. The Hip Mama Survival Guide rocked. This chick ROCKS!!!! Crafts are good I guess but I'm not so sure crafts are really that important if, for example, you're a single mom, a working mom, or just a mom spending your nights on the internet trying to figure out if you qualify for food stamps or what will really happen if you declare bankruptcy or if can't refinance your home or some other stressful thing (so pretty much if you're any real mom with real life issues!). Ariel Gore is cool because she tackles all issues in a very down to earth way, from the ugly stuff we don't want to deal with or don't know how to deal with, to the stuff that is totally fun and rewarding. She has been there and she makes no apologies, THANK GOODNESS. This book was the reality check I needed going into this third pregnancy. I came to the conclusion that you either are a blissed-out hippy with no worries and incredible sewing skills, or you're not. I AM NOT. Neither is Ariel Gore, but she has a hippy heart and does right by her kid. Put me in her camp from now on.
• 
  Melissa

  One of the funniest most spot-on books about parenting out there. when I was a young mum I couldn't abide all the judgmental books (Mommy is never OK.) nor the scare-mongering ones. And those make up at least 95% of all child-rearing books published. Ariel Gore is the exception to the parenting book pack. She is funny and straightforward but still loving in her approach to modern family life. I often give this book to first time parents. Super!
• 
  H Adela

  This book was a pregnancy and new parent lifesaver!
• 
  Elizabeth Lund

  Dated and made me long for the days of actual welfare, but on the plus side it's not heteronormative and doesn't pretend that being a mom is all sunshine and roses.
• 
  HeavyReader

  I gave a copy of this book to my sister when my nephew was little, and I read it too.
  
  My favorite parts were as list of "music to divorce by" and the advice that if anyone gives a mamma a dirty look for nursing her toddler in public, she should "squirt 'em in the eye."
  
  This book is sassy and spunky and cool. Do your breeder friends a favor and give them a copy of this book.
  
  The following it the review that I wrote for the September/October 1998 issue of the Minnesota Social Responsibility Round Table Newsletter:
  
  While this may not be the only pregnancy, birth, and child-rearing handbook you need, The Hip Mama Survival Guide belongs in libraries to serve radical and activist mothers, poor people, and parents disgusted by "family values" rhetoric.
  
  The author covers a plethora of topics, including circumcision, breast feeding, immunization, weaning, poverty, support networks, co-parenting, depression, and family breakup. At the end of each chapter is an interview with a rebel mom (or dad), a parent who is raising her kid(s) using non-traditional methods. There are plenty of quotes from moms explaining how they deal with parenting without a partner, while on welfare, with green hair and facial piercings, or while depressed. Sidebars give cool information like "What Poor People Know," "Daily Affirmations for Crazed Moms," "Scary Facts About Family Law," "What Your Fetus is Up To," and "Music to Divorce By."
  
  This book is written in down-to-earth language and is arranged so a frazzled mom can skip from one topic to another with no need to read from cover to cover. It includes an index, an extensive bibliography, and information about subscribing to HIp Mama: The Parenting Zine!. It's full of cartoons and funny illustrations, quizzes, and a hilarious "Family values Flow Chart."
  
  Even people without kids should read this book so they can understand what mom and kids are up against and give support where it is desperately needed.
• 
  Anastasia

  I have always wondered what people think when they see me with the girls. I hope they see a confident hip mama who has everything under control. But really they probably see me as I am. Barely contained frustration, frazzled mom with the dirty kids. Or maybe they think I'm the nanny?
  
  I use to worry about it a lot more, I use to think people would think I was a bad mom. But I've learned that everyone has those moments. The kid whose been potty trained for over a year, out of nowhere has an accident and you didn't bring any extra clothes. Your toddler throws a fit in the restaurant because you are trying to get them to actually eat what they ordered! And people are always going to judge.That's the one constant of parenting.
  
  I reread a book recently that I bought when I was pregnant with Pea. The Hip Mama Survival Guide. Its written by Ariel Gore who started the 'zine Hip Mama. She also has a blog. I love this book because it caters to all kinds of moms. She gives advice, from how to balance your being "Mommy", but also being you. And even advice for woman who (god forbid) have to go through a custody battle. Sometimes its hard not to compare yourself with those moms who look like they have it all together. Trust me I know this. But its nice to hear that someone else is struggling, who has kids who throw temper tantrums, and can still take it in stride.
  
  She talks about how you have to go with the flow, like when your kid throws a temper tantrum and goes limp when you try and pick them up. Just think that they'll be really great at a protest. Things like that make me love this book. So go check it out, especially if your having an "I'm a terrible mom day."
  
  
• 
  Terri

  I didn't read all the sections in this book because either they didn't apply to me, or I had already experienced that aspect of pregnancy/parenting already and just didn't feel the need to read or revisit. Overall poor writing, really dated references, and the "expert moms" interview sections were neither inspiring or interesting to me. A few chapters were okay ("Finding Your Village" and "Beauty and the Gender Beast") but these days one can find entire books or online resources which are more relevant, timely and well-written than this guide.
• 
  Sarah Jane

  Ariel Gore is a dream boat, and this book is fantastic. She chronicles her moments through being a (hip) mom and examining things such as: patriarchy, sexism, racism, gender, capitalism, etc...and its all with some form of humor. She speaks from the experience of being a single mom and being supported by her community. It's one of my favorites to give to new-mom's as a different/less traditional example of motherhood.
• 
  Ryan Mishap

  What am I doing reading this? Ask me why I’ve read any number of things—because I like to learn about others and their experiences, even if I could never or will never have them. I won’t ever have kids, but this book was mostly awesome to read. Very little nonsense guide to pregnancy, coping, dealing with right-wingers, and much more. Recommended, especially for those who have or are about to have kids—or are maybe thinking about it.
• 
  jess

  I like Ariel Gore's fiction better than I like a lot of the hip mama stuff. I feel like this was an interesting read, but it probably won't end up on my shelf of fave books. The book is ten years old, and it reads like it. The world is a little different now, but a lot of the anecdotal sections are still valuable if you are the type to read out loud to your partner, which I am.
• 
  Anne

  Ariel's voice is very straightforward, but humorous at the same time. Sometimes the anarchy/protest/screw all conservatives gets a bit much at times, but then again, you can tell that her anger stems from policies and experiences that aren't always in the best interests of families and kids. A good antidote to supermom-type attitudes.
• 
  Kati

  Wish I had read this earlier in my career as a parent. Most, but not all, of her advice is pitched to het women, and her advice for family law disputes is clearly grounded in a negative experience.
  
  Still, it's a valuable perspective on how to raise your kids in a non-traditional environment.
• 
  Shannon

  Great for helping single moms feel less "othered." Yeah, whatever your story, this author has heard it or lived it and helps readers to see how to get through it, not necessarily with a smile, but perhaps with less of a frown. I loved this book!
• 
  Kelly Holmes

  This is the first baby/parenting book I read cover to cover. It was a great introduction to what motherhood might be like, even for someone who once thought she would never want kids! I highly recommend it to anyone considering having a baby.
• 
  Mad-Bibliobimbo

  I was excited that this book was recommended by the gang at Offbeatmamma.com but I could barely make it past the first chapter, it was badly written, hard to follow, the advice was outdated and at times truly odd.
  
  Would not recommend it to anyone wanting any kind of strong advice about pregnancy
• 
  Ami

  Eh. Feels a bit dated already (late 90s), due to the "edgy" voice that reads a lot like a Michelle Goodman book from Seal Press. Not a lot of new takeaways, but might have been a good primer, if it was the first book I ran into with these concepts.
• 
  shana

  Hmm.. I've always really liked Ariel Gore, but this wasn't for me. It's just too dated. Also contains some really bad advice about bouncing checks on purpose and lying to get free meals in restaurants.
• 
  Morgan

  A hilarious look at childbirth and parenting, including how to write a bad check and following your dreams while chasing your munchkins.
• 
  Kate

  eh. a little outdated.
• 
  Ashley McCoy

  best no bull shit, no barfy-pastels-to-the-max baby and mama book i've read...hoorah!
• 
  Kara Owens

  Another one that gives a leg-up on anti-Joan Crawford / anti-"Family Values" parenting with a lot of warmth, humor, and open-mindedness for families of all shapes, color and sizes!
• 
  Leah

  The Hip Mama Survival Guide : Advice from the Trenches on Pregnancy, Childbirth, Cool Names, Clueless Doctors, Potty Training and Toddler Avengers by Ariel Gore (1998)
• 
  Cristina

  Another gorilla rebel parenting book that I chose to read instead of blather from scientists conducting studies on herds of children. I found this much more compelling, entertaining and practical.
• 
  Elizabeth Weltin

  I think I'm just not that hip. This book just wasn't for my lifestyle but I can see it being good for those with a more alternative lifestyle.
• 
  Kenzi

  This is a great book for anyone not following the traditional pregnancy path, especially single mothers. Way better than what to expect (but what isn't?)
• 
  Michelle

  The story of the birth of Maia is simultaneously one of the most scary, hilarious, and memorable stories I've read.