It’s true. Really. Robin O’Bryant says so (or at least us mommas like to tell ourselves that it counts). In her book Ketchup Is A Vegetable: And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves, Robin bares it all in this no-holds-barred look into her life as a wife and mom of three. With chapters entitled “Boob Sweat” and “Eff the PTA and Their Effin Carpool Line,” you’ll get a hysterically honest look at motherhood.
Now, I know all you new moms to be out there don’t want your perfect little dream shattered – you know the one, where you bring your pink, bouncing baby home to a life filled with sparkly rainbows and sweet coos all the time. You might see the rainbows but that’s only because you’ve slept a total of three hours in the last five days – delirious won’t even begin to describe the way you feel. And the coos? It’s unreal how such a tiny person can shatter the eardrums of anyone within a 5-mile radius.
You need this book. Whether you have one on the way or five running wild, you’ll find camaraderie in this book – or at least satisfaction knowing you’re not the only mom out there who isn’t surrounded by butterflies and glitter.
Amid her busy, busy schedule, Robin very generously took the time to answer a few of my burning questions. So without further ado…
What is the inspiration behind Ketchup is a Vegetable?
I wrote it for moms in the trenches. Because what we do can be so isolating that you start to feel crazy. I remember distinctly being in the grocery store in Savannah, Georgia when I had a two-year-old and a newborn. The butcher made the mistake of making eye contact with me and asking, “How are you?” I told him. And told him. And told him. Then I realized he was just being polite and that I hadn’t spoken to another adult in weeks.
What one piece of advice would you give to all the exasperated mommas out there?
Hang in there — it gets better before it gets worse. I’m kidding! (Sort of.) Having small children is so physically demanding. It’s frustrating and challenging emotionally and mentally as well, but mostly you are so freaking exhausted all the time that you can’t even think clearly to hang a roll of toilet paper. I’ve found that the more independent my children are from me physically, the less exhausted I become and the more I’m able to enjoy them and engage with them.
We are in a sweet spot right now. My kids are finally all potty-trained but we haven’t hit the prepubescent drama. It’s nice to not spend my whole day changing diapers and wiping tiny heinies. I wouldn’t give anything for those days but man, oh, MAN it’s nice to sleep through the night every night!
We’ve all had them – some worse than others. What has been your biggest parenting blunder?
Good lord… there are so many. How do I choose just one?
I mess up with my kids every day. I lose my temper and yell or don’t follow through when I should… but I’m glad that my girls know I’m human. I don’t want to screw up with them, but when I do blow it I apologize and ask them to forgive me. I can’t teach my kids to be perfect, but I can teach them how to admit it when they are wrong and how to ask for forgiveness.
You’re so good at maintaining a sense of humor about parenting. How would you describe your parenting style?
Do what you gotta do. My house isn’t perfect and most of the time my kids dress themselves, which isn’t always pretty. But I don’t have the time or energy to stress over every little detail. You make do, cut yourself some slack and don’t worry when the laundry piles up.
I take more time with teaching my children values: how to treat others, how to be respectful, following through, teaching them responsibility by making them do chores and contribute to the family. These are the places I don’t want to cut corners. But if Sadie wants to wear a tutu and rainboots to the grocery store? I couldn’t possibly care less.
Your blog has become such a huge hit. Is there any advice you’d like to offer fellow bloggers who hope to create a larger reader base?
Start where you are and write faithfully. If you blog irregularly you will lose your audience. Your readers should know what kind of content to expect from you and see it with regular frequency – even if it’s only once a week.
Look for opportunities to write for other websites and blogs to increase your readership, query local and regional publications, publish e-books – get your writing and your name OUT THERE.
What would you be doing if you weren’t writing?
Laundry.
Actually, I’m an RN. I’ve worked as a Scrub Nurse in the OR, in Labor and Delivery and as an ER nurse. I took a few years off of nursing to be a stay-at-home-mom and started writing – which has always been my dream job. If I wasn’t working as a writer by the time my youngest started school, I probably would have headed back to the ER. I loved the pace and the variety of patients I got to see as well as the people I got to work with – ER nurses are hilarious.
And finally, the most important topic: After a long day of keeping your kids alive and your sanity intact, what is your favorite drink?
WINE! (Sorry, I got a little excited.)
The brand varies but right now my absolute favorite is a glass of Cupcake Red Velvet. I’m drooling a bit just thinking about it. I’m also a hot tea person and love Bigelow’s Orange and Spice in a mug of apple cider. Mmmmm.
Many thanks to Robin for taking the time to grace us with her wit and candor! Be sure to check out Ketchup Is A Vegetable and A Second Helping for a serious ab workout. Or follow Robin’s side-splitting antics on her blog at robinschicks.com or on twitter @robinobryant.
Want to win a signed copy? Of course you do! Leave a comment below to enter. One person, chosen at random, will receive a signed copy of Ketchup is a Vegetable.
AND THE WINNER IS: My hubby played the part of random comment chooser. At first, he chose one of my comments. But I really didn’t think that would be fair. So the next number he chose was … commenter number 8! Congratulations to Kristie! She will get a signed copy of Robin O’Bryant’s book Ketchup is a Vegetable.
This makes me think of the movie Big Daddy . . . .”Frankenstein what do you want to eat? 30 packets of ketchup!” lol
Great advice! I will definitely have to check out Robin’s blog!
I love ketchup!!! I thought it was more of a fruit these days than vegetable, but my kids love it and I do too. I figure there is worse things out there than a plate full of ketchup. 🙂 I loved the interview with the author, I loved that she said she could care less if her daughter wore a tutu and rain boots to the store. I agree in parenting you must pick your battles and teaching values is far more important than teaching them fashion. 🙂
It is so nice to hear REAL stories about motherhood! It isn’t easy (I love your reasoning for seeing rainbows!) Love the interview.
This sounds like a really fun read!
Ketchup is a Vegetable is one of the funniest books I have ever read, literally I was LOLing the whole way through. As a new mom (my baby is 6 months old) it was an awesome read and I really felt comfortable with her style of writing, like I was talking to a friend. Can’t wait to read A Second Helping!
I loved reading this book! I’m not a bio mom, but a step-mom to two boy and two girls (6, 10, 11 & 12). This book made me laugh so hard, tears were falling – so many things in this book I can identify with. I look forward to reading more from Robin. 🙂
With three teen boys and a newborn on the way, there is a lot of humor in our house and of course a VERY large bottle of ketchup in the fridge as well as a backup bottle in the pantry. I absolutely can’t wait to read this book!
Her book was such a fun book to read…. I would be laughing out loud so many times that my husband would ask what are you laughing at now?!
I’d really love to win this book. I just adore her humor.
I read your weekly column. It’s the best part of paper!!!! Always makes me laugh!
My husband and I have read this book on my Kindle and we have both laughed so hard! So many moments I can relate to as a mother. Have shared exerpts with the women at work. Thanks for all the laughs and tears!
I loved this book it was hilarious. I found myself not wanting to put it down and realizing that some of the thing she talks about are very true and happen at my house. I have told all my friends about this book and can not wait to read the next.
Thanks for all the sweet comments and thanks for doing the interview! Us real moms gotta stick together!
Amen, sister!
Great interview! I couldn’t agree more about tutus and rainboots! 🙂
Great job on the blog!
I follow her blog and she makes me laugh so hard! It’s nice to be reminded that we are oftentimes all in the same boat – thank goodness.
I would love to share this book with my sister. I LOVED IT!!!
Loved her first book!! Can’t wait to start reading the second!! <3
Absolutely loved Ketchup is a vegetable, laughing out loud while reading a book is a VERY good thing!! Can’t wait for the next one!
There are very few books that can truly make you laugh out loud. This is one of them!
Looking forward to checking this book out – thanks!
Great interview! Thanks for sharing I’m excited to check out her blog!
Very funny, loved the books.
The title of the book is wonderful! Apparently, though, ketchup has addictive properties. My 30 yr old daughter is a ketchup-a-holic and she is passing that on to our impressionable grandaughter! She eats ketchup on her carrots and anything else. She has those little ketchup packets in her purse for ketchup emergencies. She will open them and suck the ketchup straight from the packet. She has a t-shirt that says she puts ketchup on her ketchup and it is TRUE! I’m so relieved to think she is just eating an awful lot of vegetables!
That’s very funny, Susan! My husband is the same way with ranch dressing. He puts it on EVERYTHING!
Thanks so much for this interview! I just started reading her book last week, and I love it!
And thanks for linking up to finding the funny! 🙂
Anna
I would love to win this book – I keep meaning to pick up a copy, because I’m SO there, but haven’t yet. Awesome interview – and thanks for the giveaway! 🙂