Book Review: Rage Against the Minivan

Author: Kristen Howerton
 
Summary from Goodreads: Filled with her signature blend of humor, vulnerability, and insight, Rage Against the Minivan is the handbook Kristen Howerton wishes she'd had when she was a new mom. At its heart, it is about parents learning how to love better by letting themselves off the hook.

With her hard-earned knowledge gained from having four kids in four years, she navigates the emotional and sometimes messy waters of motherhood: the expectations, the anxiety, the total lack of control, and yes, the indignities of driving a minivan (which now sits in her driveway covered in crushed Cheerios and the remnants of her self-esteem).

Howerton shares her unexpected journey through motherhood, from infertility to adoption to divorce, and how she learned to quell her inner anxiety to do it all perfectly. As a mom of both white and black children, Howerton is an advocate for social justice, foster care reform, and helping fellow parents to step up to hard conversations about race with their kids. Her writing speaks to the thorny issues parents deal with every day while reminding them they are not alone on this unpredictable ride.

Rage Against the Minivan serves as a quiet resistance against the superficial obsessions of motherhood, from the kind of car we drive to looking like we've got it all together. Infused with heart and humor, it's a permission slip to allow yourself to be a "good-enough" parent.

Personal Review:First of all, I have to acknowledge that I am not a parent. However, that is not to say that I did not enjoy this book. I think that all of everything that goes into parenthood is complicated and parents deserve all of the good things for raising tiny humans in today's world.

I found the book to be full of moments of every emotion: happiness, stressed, being real. It is those qualities that made it worth the read.

For all of you parents-thank you!

 Disclaimer: I was awarded this book from the publisher. Though I did not pay for the book, the opinions are strictly my own.

Happy Reading!