I CAN BARELY TAKE CARE OF MYSELF: TALES FROM A HAPPY LIFE WITHOUT KIDS PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Jen Kirkman | 224 pages | 04 Jul 2013 | SIMON & SCHUSTER | 9781451667004 | English | New York, United States I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life without Kids PDF Book I find Jen Kirkman witty and hilarious in her interviews and especially at the round table in Chelsea Lately. Comedians, of course, that are not Chelsea Handler. It was nice to get that back story first to understand Kirkman and laugh with her throughout her trials and tribulations of growing up in New Jersey to working for Chelsea Lately. You know what else is ironic? Now that I finally read the book, I can say that it was one of the most heartfelt, honest book I have ever read. We don't WANT to defend our choice but you make us with your ignorant, rude, questions and comments. Join the Conversation. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. There is a lot of humor in the book as well and you learn a lot about the author. Is The Wire brilliant and life altering and does it make you feel less alone at night? Or, for that matter, Jesus. Even before I became a parent, I knew I never wanted to be one of those mothers who starts every other sentence with, "As a mother Jen has a unique, fresh and funny way of reminding people that sometimes, you really do know what's best for you. Her nasal voice got on my nerves about halfway through. The author's humor is like year-old-boy bodily function humor - not really all that funny anyway, but even less so coming from a woman in her late 30's. Finally, now I'm nearly 40, people finally believe me that I do not want kids. It was a quick, fun, validating, read for me. You breast- feed before sunrise? I liked her telling drunk stories. I want a child. I've had people say many of the "bingo's" to me over the years too. I'm childfree, and almost everything that Kirkman wrote about kids or parents could have been written by me. You should not have kids. Nov 20, Robin rated it liked it. Bergen would be proud of me. I had such high hopes for this book since I am also in, what feels like, the minority of childfree-by-choice women. Members save with free shipping everyday! I Can Barely Take Care of Myself is a beacon of hilarious hope for anyone whose major life decisions have been questioned by friends, family, and strangers in a comedy club bathroom. I smile at toddlers. People think we're irresponsible, immoral sluts and that our lifestyle is up for debate. That being said, I was unable to sympathize with her, not even a little bit. Really disappointing. Unabridged Audiobook. When my marriage ended and I began dating my current boyfri Funny and Kirkman speaks the truth. He lives in France. I want to have kids right now. Whether her reasons are valid to them or not is irrelevant--she is a grown woman and is allowed to make her own decisions without having to explain them to anyone else. Look at David Sedaris. We can pay to have someone take care of us in our old age. I don't look at them like they're freaks though, cause different strokes for different folks and all I want to have kids right now. They tell us we can have careers well, after they told us we could vote-they sort of said it would be ok if we wanted to have a career, as long as we agree to get paid less than a man for the same job , and then they tell us that we aren't real women if we have careers but no babies, and if we dare pick a career over a baby We do not have to be married to ensure economic security. But, overall I found the book disappointing. The urge most people feel to have kids is the exact same as the urge that I have to not have kids. May 07, Lynette rated it it was amazing Shelves: books-i- own , Date: April Thank you Simon and Schuster. I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life without Kids Writer Aug 10, Darin rated it it was ok. Because there is little else I can think of that comes with so much responsibility and so little control. Now that I think of it, I would say that half of my close friends have chosen to remain childless. It sounded to me more like a place for free spirits who knew that even if they loved where they were one moment, that could change tomorrow. I could understand how Kirkman wouldn't want kids. I listened to this on CD, and it was read by the author. This is a quick easy read for those who are thinking of not having kids or know they don't want any, and may find it somewhat validating. People who have kids do not realize how horribly evil and rude they are when they start questioning a woman about her life choice and then get extremely pissy when the woman they are, basically, bullying gets defensive or tells them off. Whether her reasons are valid to them or not is irrelevant--she is a grown woman and is allowed to make her own decisions without having to explain them to anyone else. And spending your days watching Dora the Explorer with a kid is mature? It seems like too much effort. Why do you want to look weird? May I point out that the adults who brought their kids to the adult pool obviously did so because they did not want to be around only other children? And in the same way my Netflix queue remains Wire-free, people seem really agitated that my womb remains baby-free. Audio MP3 on CD. So I wanted to enjoy this book. Showing I don't have kids by choice. The most disappointing thing though, was that for the most part, this book did not do what the title said it would; we don't hear too many tales about Jen having a "happy life" without kids. Why do you want to look weird? I wanted to grow up and live in a world of bubbles and polka music someday. Whether a woman wants kids or doesn't want kids, I don't think a book needs to be written about it. Do not we not do ourselves a disservice to examine how we fit into some greater puzzle? Welcome back. I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life without Kids Reviews Do not we not do ourselves a disservice to examine how we fit into some greater puzzle? By clicking "Notify Me" you consent to receiving electronic marketing communications from Audiobooks. While I appreciate having another woman on our team, I have to say I was less than enamored with her story. How totally rude is that???? People can be so beyond the pale! I feel bad rating this book as I did. Some parents think it's funny while the non-kid friendly side of me wants to hit these parents over the head with their strollers and take away their ability to leave their house. This is a quick easy read for those who are thinking of not having kids or know they don't want any, and may find it somewhat validating. Jul 02, Shannon Dale rated it liked it. I decided to wander the country in search of a career as a stand-up comedian. I saw Jen Kirkman's stand up comedy show on Netflix and loved it. I don't want to have kids and so I am not going to have kids. Sort order. It's perhaps unfair but also unavoidable to compare this book to Caitlin Moran's "How to be a Woman. Nov 22, Mander Pander rated it did not like it Shelves: book-club , books. The most disappointing thing though, was that for the most part, this book did not do what the title said it would; we don't hear too many tales about Jen having a "happy life" without kids. The time she lied about being pregnant to the nail salon ladies was wicked smaht. Join Goodreads. Damn it. I'm glad Kirkman is happy with her choice, and I'm sorry she's been so badgered by other people that she's had to write a book to defend herself. Feminism was supposed to free up women--give us choices, the freedom to do what we want, when we want to, if we want to. I loved reading Jen's pet peeves - I also can't stand couples who say "we" are pregnant and like Jen, I also get the visual when people refer to "trying! Want to Read saving…. See what happens when I try to nurture something? Maybe I'm hanging out with the wrong people. What the fuck am I going to do with a kid? Not me. The laugh out loud moment came when Jen told about her experience at the adult only pool which was teeming with rugrats. When I announced at work that I had separated from my husband and divorce was likely, one of my coworkers turned to me and said, "but how will you have children? We got that out of our system in our twenties, so now it's just the time to settle down.