40 Reasons Not to Have Kids

My friend Jenn lent me this book which was recently translated into English and published over in the North American market. The author, Corinne Maier wrote the 2004 book Bonjour paresse (Hello Laziness) - which pretty much calls bullshit on corporate mission statements and the thought there are thousands of Dilbert's punching away at keyboards, being productive (most liekly they're Wiki-ing obscure movies and facts). "40 Reasons..." makes perfectly good sense, (Maier is a mother of 2 and when interviewed on Q said her kids were too busy with Harry Potter books to bother reading her's), ever been to a house with kids and the parents are alternating telling you how awesome the experience of parenthood is while yelling at the kids trying to set the cat on fire? Jesus Christ, children are vicious! Recess? Brutal. Getting picked (or not) for teams? Coming down with measles and mumps? Maybe my childhood was shittier than yours, but kids are entertaining little beings, but they're also vindictive ("You're going to get a time out if you keep punching your sister! I mean it!"), manipulative, and downright nasty at times. I guess this book won't sway people out of their breeding (or not) program, but it's refreshing to actually hear things that most parents won't say out of fear of being branded "selfish" or "terrible". Also Corrine Maier is hilarious and bitter, if you get to read or hear an interview with her it's always entertaining!