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Don't Lick the Minivan by Leanne Shirtliffe Review & Giveaway (Canada only)

Have you ever caught yourself saying something to your children that you never thought you would hear yourself say? It is sort of like the saying Kids say the darnedest things. I have caught myself on a few occasions one that I don't think my son will live down. This happened when my son was still in the crawling stage, ventured by the rabbit cage and picked up a rabbit poop. I said "don't eat the rabbit poop, yucky" while batting it away from him and scooping him up. HAHA. We still talk about the things they tried to eat when their were babies. 

Leanne Shirtliffe of Ironic Mom blog has had her moments of saying things she never thought she would. That is how her new book "Don't Lick the Minivan and Other Things I Never Thought I'd Say to My Kids" came to life.

Book Summary:
"As a woman used to traveling and living the high life in Bangkok, Leanne Shirtliffe recognized the constant fodder for humor while pregnant with twins in Asia's sin city. But in spite of deep-fried bug cuisine and nurses who cover newborn bassinets with plastic wrap, Shirtliffe manages to keep her babies alive for a year with help from a Coca-Cola deliveryman, several waitresses, and a bra factory. Then she and her husband return home to the isolation of North American suburbia.

In Don't Lick the Minivan, Shirtliffe captures the bizarre aspects of parenting in her edgy, honest voice. She explores the hazards of everyday life with children such as:

  • The birthday party where neighborhood kids took home skin rashes from the second-hand face paint she applied.
  • The time she discovered her twins carving their names into her minivan's paint with rocks.
  • The funeral she officiated for "Stripper Barbie."
  • The horror of glitter.
  • And much more!
A delayed encounter with postpartum depression helps Shirtliffe to realize that even if she can't teach her kids how to tie their shoelaces, she's a good enough mom. At least good enough to start saving for her twins' therapy fund. And possibly her own. Crisply written, Don't Lick the Minivan will have parents laughing out loud and nodding in agreement. Shirtliffe's memoir might not replace a therapist, but it is a lot cheaper."

About the Author: 
Leanne Shirtliffe is an award-winning humor blogger. She writes funny stuff for the Huffington Post, Nickelodeon’s NickMom.com, and the Calgary Herald. When she's not stopping her twins from licking frozen flagpoles, she teaches English to teenagers who are slightly less hormonal than she is.

My thoughts: Leanne is hilarious, sometimes I think she is talking about my kids. In this book we follow Leanne and her husband through her pregnancy and raising twins in Thailand. Leanne is from Canada and it is great to read a Canadian novel. I also love how she shows the world that child bearing and raising isn't always perfect and we don't need to feel bad about it. It is what it is and we should laugh. This isn't the book to sit in a quiet room with. There are many laugh out loud parts and snickering to be had. I love the sock section as my daughter is the same. There are socks of hers everywhere! In the livingroom, her bedroom, under the bed or couch and even in our van. She takes them off and flings them where ever she feels. No wonder she has tons without matches!

If you are looking for a light and fun read check out this book you wont be disappointed. I keep it for on the go reading or bedtime stories it is an easy to pick up read without losing your spot. Leanne also puts parent tips that are just too funny like this "If you need assistance while changing a baby's diaper in an airplane bathroom, light a cigarette." or "When your child freaks out in a public space, glare at every person staring at you. Learning to "tell off" strangers with a glace is a useful skill."   

Want to check out this book for yourself? Our good friends at Thomas Allen & Son Ltd are giving Genuine Jenn readers a chance to win their very own copy. Five books will be given away between today and June 21, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. This giveaway is open to Canadian residents. Please fill in the form below and Good Luck! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn on behalf of Thomas Allen & Son Ltd. I received the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

25 comments:

  1. My son was a classic nose-picker when he was really small. Boy, I created the whitest of white lies and told him if he kept picking his nose, his brain would fall out. The boogers are the glue that hold it in.
    Yup, not winning mother of the year over here... LOL

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  2. Looks like a very funny book!

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  3. I would love to read this book. It looks funny and I'm sure all us parents can relate!

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  4. I would love to win as this sounds like a great read!

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  5. quit hitting your brother! i must say it a million times!

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  6. "..Because I said so!" I hated when my parents would give me that reason to do task, but really, sometimes they have to do it because I said so!

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  7. "Don't eat the cat hair!" is something I found myself yelling the other day as my 9 month old picked up a furball to put in his mouth. :)

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  8. I would like to win this book for my mother in law. ;)

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  9. Anonymous10:50 PM

    Lorena H.

    I would like to win this book because it sounds humorous.

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  10. Lately, we have been telling one of my little guys that if he doesn't nap, we will put some worms in his bed (he doesn't like worms). I know - it sounds awful, but it seems to be the only thing that works!

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  11. I would love to win this book for myself - sounds like it has some great tips!

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  12. I like humorous women, hands down!

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  13. Anonymous10:22 PM

    Don't put the rubber ducky in the toilet.
    -sheila s.

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  14. "Don't pee on your brother!"

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  15. I had to tell my son to not roll eggs down the stairs. I thought this would go without saying but somehow it had to be said.

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  16. Helisa4:40 PM

    Spit that out in Mommy's hand! lol

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  17. When my older daughter was having a bath I had to tell her "Your brother might poop in the tub" when I put her 6 month old brother in there with her.
    Angela Mitchell

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  18. I don't have kids, but I could pass it on to someone I know who has kids who would love the book.




    Bonnie

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  19. Anonymous10:48 PM

    it looks like a good book to read

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  20. Anonymous11:11 PM

    Would love to win, seems like a great and funny read, my kind of book!

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  21. Don't put your feet in your eggs!

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  22. I would love to win this book because it sounds like it would be a good book to take break with and enjoy.

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  23. stop asking so many questions lol

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