I Forgive You for Your Diaper by A. Parent at 3 AM
I Forgive You for Your Diaper is a hilarious and relatable book for new parents that captures the chaotic but joyous experience of parenting and the frequent task of changing diapers. With cute illustrations and witty humor, this new book navigates the messy world of diaper changes with grace and laughter. We’ve all been there and most of us have survived!
A great baby shower, christening or new parent Christmas gift idea!
An interview with I Forgive You For Your Diaper author, A. Parent.
What’s your best advice about being a parent?
It’s the greatest, hardest, longest job you’ll ever have. Unlike most jobs, the hours are unusual and sometimes the people you think you are the boss of are in fact, the boss of you, but the pay is incredible. You get back joy, love, pride and more – and all with no tax taken off!
How many kids do you have?
I have two amazing daughters. Sisters to each other, best friends (sometimes rivals), but also playmates for each other and for me (there are surprisingly few people my age who will play hide and go seek with me.)
How did you come up with the idea for the book?
It was middle of the night, middle of yet another diaper change, and I just decided that even in a moment like this, tired and dirty, there has to be humor in this. There always is. So, after I got my little girl back to sleep, I stayed up for a little bit, thinking. Luckily, (unluckily?) there were a lot more moments like that to think some more. Finally, I put all those thoughts together in this cute, funny book. Do I thank my daughter’s digestion for helping?
Did you do the drawings?
No! I can barely draw a bath. I found a wonderful artist named Ekaterina Mironava who is a mother herself and can relate. I loved the soft “watercolor” feel of her work, plus she has a great sense of humor and was really able to capture the fun of each drawing while also showing the love a parent has for their child, even at moments where we don’t feel very loving.
Which drawing is your favorite?
Of course, I love them all but if I were to pick one, it would be the back cover. It’s made to look like the poster for a scary movie called “Changing Time” with the slogan “Coming Soon to a Baby Near You!”. Hopefully parents get a laugh about the “surprise” of diaper changes – you know they are coming, but you never know when.
Anything you want to tell us about that ending?
Ha! No, I’ll leave that for the readers. I will say it’s one of the things people seem to love the most about the book and that I hear about the most. Hopefully, it leaves the reader with a laugh and a smile, thinking about the circle of life and relationships between parents and their children.
‘A Parent’ isn’t your real name – why write this under a pseudonym?
You’re right, it isn’t. The first time I looked at the book and thought “Ok, I’m proud of this, I’m done” my actual name was going to be on the cover. But as I started putting the book together and getting positive reactions from all sorts of parents – really every type and situation – I realized that changing diapers is a universal experience every parent and any parent goes through. That’s when I thought of using “A Parent” as a pseudonym. I hope it reflects that idea that the struggle of diapers is something that happens to all of us.
The book just came out. How is it doing?
Really well! Not just in sales but what I’ve found really satisfying is the reviews. People have found the book funny and charming and that it gives them a smile, sometimes when they most need it. I love seeing it sell, but feedback like that is what’s really rewarding.
Any plans to do another book?
Actually, the reaction I’ve seen to this has made me think about it. Maybe something in the same vein, having fun with other aspects of parenting, maybe not. The only thing I know for sure is I won’t be writing a book about astrophysics, engineering or anything involving math. I respect math, I wish math well, but I need to say, I don’t like math.
Where can people get the book?
I love bookstores. Absolutely love them. That said, sadly, these days they seem few and far between. If you have a bookstore you love, hopefully they sell the book there, but I know they may not. So, recognizing that, the book is always available on Amazon or any of the other online places where we can all buy books.
What readers are saying:
“Everything about this book was hilarious and will hands down be my new go-to book for baby showers!”
“I have to say this book really made me chuckle and boy could I relate … I was taken back to the days of diaper change and remembered some of the eye watering diapers.”
“We’ve all been there (I’m there 5 times a day!). Any new parent would love this!”
Listed on our must-read suggestions of parenting books.
