MOMS DRAW ON FUNNY STORIES ABOUT PREGNANCY, BIRTH AND TODDLER TANTRUMS IN NEW BOOK ‘PURE BLISS’
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
For moms back to school means opportunities for kids — and a break from the messy joys of motherhood.
And for Madeline Sheppard and Rachel Durocher it’s “Pure Bliss” — a chance to reflect and promote their Canada Day book release about their early years of pregnancy and toddler tantrums.
It’s a first book for both — who each have two children aged 7 and almost 4 — and work as stay-at-home moms.
“Just doing mom, things,” says Durocher, who grew up in Parry Sound and lives between Orillia and Port Severn.
This winter and spring, between kids’ pickups and cleanups, the 29-year-old illustrated her sister-in-law’s light-hearted musings about mother- and babyhood.
Thirty-two colourful fun-filled, well-illustrated pages of humour that make for an easy read you’ll have trouble putting down between putting down baby.
It’s not a children’s book,” she says.
It’s “Dr. Seuss for adults. A funny, honest look at the early years of parenting, the sleepless nights, adorable chaos, and little moments that make it all worth it.”
Sheppard, 32, who was born in Burlington, moved to Newfoundland and Labrador three years ago. She said the title is based on her husband’s “sarcastic” comment about the “bliss” of parenthood.
With “Pure Bliss … A HILARIOUS PARODY BOOK ABOUT PREGNANCY, EARLY PARENTING, AND TOTAL (CHAOS) BLISS” she “wanted to write in the style of “Go The F— To Sleep,” Adam Mansatch’s hugely popular child-rearing book.
Writes Sheppard: “Thus, it was born: our new family creed, When sh*t hits the fan, this is all that you need: PURE BLISSSSSSSSSSS.”
Written in today’s vernacular, it’s a youthful, modernistic view of the early and post partum years from “total chaos and bull-sh*t” that inevitably leads joyfully to “effin’ freakin’ bliss.”
On pregnancy: “Three trimesters of magic? More like three acts of war.”
Where morning sickness, screaming pain, bodily family functions, leaking, weeping, meltdowns for mom and babe happily include, joy, a laugh a minute — and of course “more poop,” lots of poop.
Durocher said she’s always liked doodling and art, and “does it as a little hobby in my spare time.”
Her favourite book illustration is “the taxi cab with poops driving.” It was inspired by “all the poop talk coming out of my kids.”
“The daily routine of: “Now get your game face on – 5,4,3,2,1. All systems go!” is a simple, easy, enjoyable and relatable read for teens, wannabe parents, single moms and grandmas who wanna look back to savour and enjoy the sheer bliss of growing up amidst the messes and magic of early life and women “e-VoL-V-ing.”
“The bedtime routine is a performance of art. Where science meets madness and breaks every heart.”
“We are doing really well and proud of it,” Sheppard said in a three-way call today. A “best seller” for leadher, their publisher.
“It’s been getting a great response from fellow parents who know exactly what we’re talking about,” adds Durocher.
While Sheppard, too, is not a writer, she would “text or email” herself ideas. At night after coming home from coaching figure skating she’d “take all those thoughts and sit down with my laptop and write.”
After coming up with a draft this winter and spring the pair put it down on paper, collaborating and corresponding online. They began working on the book before Christmas and had it published Canada Day — with edits down to the final week.
Families will readily identify with those exhilarating and daunting first two years from conception to reception and then lovingly growing up for mom and babe.
The intro says it all: “A kids’ book for grown-ups who can’t pee alone anymore. The illustrated guide to pregnancy, postpartum, and other traumas we laugh about later. For parents who love their kids… but also kinda miss sleep, silence, and sanity A light-hearted survival guide from baby bump to toddler tantrums A parody parenting book for new moms, dads, and anyone else covered in goldfish crumbs.”
Sheppard wrote the book, but she and Durocher had fun sharing reminiscences while adding stories from newborn play groups, playgrounds and play-date friends.
They would to write similar books based on the ages and stages of their kids’ development.
For the book locally, go to Orillia’s Mariposa Market and in Barrie Sunshine Décor. As well it’s at The Bookshop NL, in Newfoundland.
You can also find it online at Amazon https://a.co/d/9OdetBw
A deal with Indigo Books is also in the works.
Updates on future stores to come on Instagram @pureblissbook
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