Like every other wet-behind-the-ears parents-to-be, we loaded up on bedding, clothes, diapers and other gadgets and gizmos that fool you into believing that you’ll actually be ready to take that alien thing home. It’s pretty simple: when Americans get scared, we just buy more crap.
– From Daddy Needs a Drink by Robert Wilder

Parenthood follows one of the basic rules for life perfectly: as long as you can laugh, everything will probably be OK.

There were four complete days in the Mistakes Made and Lessons Learned Group Writing Project. The participating blogs wrote posts that were contradictory, funny, sad, frightening, frustrated and altogether wonderful I know that other GWPs have had more entries, but I would argue that they have never had such high literary quality. I am proud to have attracted each of these writers to this contest with a prize worth just $24.95.
Here is the complete list of entries and the announcement of the winner:

I’ve been a Patricia Pearson fan since I read Playing House a few years ago. She has a great comic touch that comes in just when you think she might break your heart. I am pleased to see that an essay she wrote for Canadian Living back in March is finally online.
So, if you need a laugh – and who doesn’t – check out The Ten Things Mothers Really Need.