I have been reading blogs for many years now. My tastes have changed, and the type of posts I prefer to read is different from a couple of years ago. One thing hasn’t changed. That’s my love for a good story. It doesn’t have to be fiction but those bloggers who can grab our attention and hold it with an amusing anecdote or two, or weave a tale we need to see out to the end, those are my favourite writers and ones I can guarantee I will keep revisiting time after time.

It made sense that when one of my favourite bloggers, Michelle Tan from The Secret Diary of Agent Spitback, released a book compiling some humorous stories about parenting, I would absolutely want to have a little read. Featuring tales and stories from 20 bloggers and writers, We Need to Talk About the Conditions of My Imprisonment: …And other funny parenting stories is a collection of funny stories that are honest and real and downright amusing to read. Because we all know life, especially life parenting kids isn’t perfect and nor is it meant to be, because where would the fun in that be!

You know it will be useful when the foreword, by non-other than the talented Harriet Shearsmith from Toby and Roo, has you nodding along in agreement and eye rolls before you even read the submissions from everyone else involved.

Of course, the best time to read this was when my own little darling (ahem) had announced that she was staying over at her dad’s after sleeping at a friend’s the night before. It was the evening of day 2 of 3 glorious, unexpected childfree days, and the wine was opened before I had even finished reading the Whatsapp.

Michelle kicks off the collection of stories. I absolutely love her take on the old Snow White classic and how she adapts it to parenthood in A Fairy Tale for the Perfect Mother. Because let’s face it, we’ve all come across the ‘perfect judgy parent’ be it in real life or online and this story is a brilliant modern twist on an old classic.

But it’s not all about perfect parent bashing, the stories that follow are hilarious as they are right. The Toddler Highway Code by the talented Lucy aka blogger Silly Mummy, had me laughing and nodding along as I remembered my own toddler shopping dramas and wondered if they ever grow out of it as flashbacks of last weekend in Aldi with Olivia told me maybe not! Anyone who has ever had to shop with a toddler will absolutely agree with this highway code. And if you don’t, you have never been shopping with a toddler.

I made my way through the book whilst simultaneously nodding and laughing (carefully trying not to spill my wine obviously!),

I couldn’t put it down and read it all at once. Binge reading at its best here! As each writer takes on their own story, they own each word they write and entertain in their own brilliant way. From Eight Women to Avoid at Mum’s Groups to the dreaded “Where Do Babies Come From?” chat there is definitely something for everyone, whether you need to know it or not!

This book has a genuine down to earth quality that is perfect for any parent fighting their own toddler battle or mum issues. A hilarious take on parenting and a brilliant read, I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re looking for something to make you laugh out loud, then this is the book for you. If you don’t have a sense of humour, then maybe not!

If you would like to buy We, Need to Talk About the Conditions of My Imprisonment: …And other funny parenting stories are available from Amazon for £2.99 from 21st April 2018. Also available on Kindle Unlimited too. You can also check out the talented writers on their blogs below.

• The Secret Diary of Agent Spitback
• R is for Hoppit
• Rhyming with Wine
• Life is Knutts
• The Unsung Mum
• Life, Love and Dirty Dishes
• Four Princesses and the Cheese
• And Another Ten Things
• The Notorious Mum
• Island Living 365
• Hugzilla
• ColleysWobbles
• So Happy in Town
• occupation: (m)other
• Mummy Muckups
• A Life Just Ordinary
• Omgitsagirl
• This Mum’s Life

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book for this review. All thoughts, opinions and enjoyment from reading the stories are my own. this post contains Amazon affiliate links (above) meaning if you purchase via this link, I will receive a small amount of compensation at no extra cost to the buyer. if you prefer to use a non-affiliate link, please the link in the text.*