As many of you know, I recently reviewed The Parent Trip, a very funny book by Jenna McCarthy. I had the opportunity to ask Jenna a few questions and she, being the wonderful lady that she is, agreed to answer them for me. Enjoy!
First off, how is your family doing now? We’d love to hear updates!
It honestly seems like life just gets better every day. My girls are now 3 and 5, which means they (or more accurately, we) have hit that blissful stage where they can and do play together for several uninterrupted hours. It is awesome not having to worry that one of them is smothering the other or encouraging her to eat safety pins. Plus, there’s no more guessing involved—they’ll tell us flat out exactly what is wrong. It’s pretty liberating.
The book is hilarious. Is your life that funny everyday?
I try to find humor in every appropriate situation. Fortunately, my husband is a funny guy—and my kids are hilarious! Last night we were driving around looking at Christmas lights, and my husband turned down a street we’d already driven. I whispered that to him and he whispered back, “Fifty bucks says they won’t notice.” “You’re on,” I told him. “Girls, look at those lights,” he crooned, pointing at an elaborately lit house. Our five year old replied, “Yeah, whatever dad. We’ve already seen those. Next.” We were rolling.
What motivated you to write the book?
Well, I’m a writer by nature and by trade, and kids really do make the best fodder. When I was pregnant and then had my first baby, I read everything I could get my hands on—but nothing I was reading rang a hundred percent true to me. I have a professional reputation for holding nothing back, so I just felt that maybe the book I wanted to read was the one I needed to write. And thus, The Parent Trip
Did your husband have any issues with you writing the book?
Not really. In the dozen years we’ve been together, he’s learned that anything he says or does may just wind up in print somewhere, so he’s learned to be careful. For a few years I also hosted a radio show (that many of our friends listened to)… I don’t think he said much during that time out of fear I’d talk about it publicly! He’s a cool guy, and he “gets” that this is my job—and my passion.
What is the most exciting thing that has happened for you since your book became published?
It’s funny—I’ve gotten all sorts of glowing national press in huge magazines with multiple-million circulations… but honestly, the coolest thing was the profile written by our local paper, the Santa Barbara Independent. It felt good to get that recognition.
Has writing this book changed the way you look at motherhood?
Not at all. Having babies certainly did, though. Before I had kids of my own, I had all of these ideas about how parenthood would look and how I would think and act. Oh, and the absolutes! “I’ll never give my baby a pacifier!” “My child will never talk to me that way!” As you can imagine, I wound up eating a lot of crow. Once you enter the Mommy Club, you pretty much have to leave your self-righteous judgment at the door.
As your children get older, what do you want them to take away from reading your book (assuming they will)?
Hmmm. I’m not sure I want them to read it! At least not until they’re already married and pregnant—because I’d really like grandchildren some day, and I wouldn’t want to scare the bejeesus out of them!
Any big plans coming up that you would like our readers to know about?
I have three more books coming out in the next 18 months—all of them are fun gift books for expecting and new parents. The first one is finished but the title isn’t confirmed, but it’s a flip cover book with half geared toward moms and half for dads. The working titles on the second and third are Big Rigs for Moms and Tea Parties for Dads—and they will hopefully explain all of the mysteries involved when you find out you’re having (or have already had) a child who’s gender is not the same as yours. In my spare time, I am going to start the sequel to The Parent Trip: From High Heels and Parties to Highchairs and Potties
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Great interview, Angela! I recently interviewed Jenna, too, and didn’t think to ask HALF of these questions. Is it any surprise we ended up interviewing the same person? Good job!