Funny moms tell their stories in new book

Posted in Mom Stuff
by Lorain County Moms

By Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune

“See Mom Run” by Beth Feldman (Plain White Press, $12.95)

Motherhood could be a real downer if it weren’t so hilarious.

The sleepless nights, the potty disasters, the temptation to add soy formula to your coffee when you run out of milk — and the regret when you give in to said temptation.
Thankfully, a universe of mom bloggers captures the maternal experience in all its glory, proving that misery loves company — especially if the company makes you laugh.

Beth Feldman, founder of online events company rolemommy.com and a mom blogger herself, has collected 32 essays from her favorite mom bloggers on all stages of motherhood, from labor to empty nest. The result, “See Mom Run” (Plain White Press), is an entertaining glimpse into the world of the harried, modern mom.

(Contributor Issa M. Mas, who blogs as Single Mama NYC, can vouch for that soy formula incident.)

“I wanted to showcase voices of moms who aren’t necessarily New York Times best-selling authors, but are talented and have stories to tell,” says Feldman, a former television network executive.

“When I worked on shows like ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ and ‘King of Queens,’ people always asked ‘How do you come up with ideas for the shows?’ ” she says. “It’s based in real life. Writers sit in a room and talk about what went on in their lives that was funny that week. And I thought to myself, ‘I have a lot of funny in my life.’ A lot of moms do.”

Feldman and the “See Mom Run” writers recently completed a rather unconventional book tour, stopping in spas, comedy clubs, play groups and other mom hot spots to perform readings — and the occasional song.

“I performed two song parodies on the road,” Feldman says. “That was what I really wanted to be when I grew up, a singer. Then I grew up.”

Feldman is working on a stage version of “See Mom Run,” scheduled to open as a workshop in New York in May. She’s also got a sequel in the works, focusing on mom guilt trips.

Jokes Feldman, “It’s developing into a ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’-type series.”