"You Cannot Be Serious" is a seriously great parenting book

When it comes to raising children without completely losing your mind Elizabeth Lyons wrote the book, literally. It's called You Cannot Be Serious and 32 Other Rules That Sustain A (Mostly) Balanced Mom . [great giveaway after the jump!]…

"You Cannot Be Serious" is a seriously great parenting book
When it comes to raising children without completely losing your mind Elizabeth Lyons wrote the book, literally. It's called You Cannot Be Serious and 32 Other Rules That Sustain A (Mostly) Balanced Mom.

[great giveaway after the jump!]
Elizabeth is not a therapist, but certainly is an expert with five children under 10, including 8-year old twin boys and a daughter she adopted. So when she gives advice I'm inclined to listen. Especially when it happens to be as funny as it is wise.

I found myself feeling much better when I read rules like Repeat after me, I'm a good mom (even if I don't scrapbook) and Rule 13, Go with your gut, where she says that women don't often acknowledge that we have the answers inside of us and so we turn to outsiders to validate what we already know to be right.

I think that is so true. Don't you? (See what I did there?)

The book is a quick read, and each chapter is based on the author's often hilarious real-life experiences. So the next time your toddler sticks a bead up her nose or your ten-year old trades his bike for a pile of baseball cards, and you're ready to scream You cannot be serious!, remember, those are actually words to live by. -Betsy

You can buy You Cannot Be Serious at CMP affiliate, Amazon.

Congratulations to Emily M, lucky winner of an autographed copy of You Cannot Be Serious!

More in LivingView all picks →

A smarter way to shop for everyday essentials

A smarter way to shop for everyday essentials

Let’s be honest: shopping for household essentials is not exactly the glamorous part of adulthood. But when those essentials can be better for your home, more thoughtfully packaged, and delivered without another errand on your calendar? …

Great deals on great rugs. Don't miss this sale!

Great deals on great rugs. Don't miss this sale!

A great rug can do more than cover a floor. It can pull a room together, make a space feel finished, define a cozy reading corner, or instantly make a dorm room feel less like a temporary landing zone and more like home. That's part of t…

Save on skincare essentials at Walmart's Beauty Event

Save on skincare essentials at Walmart's Beauty Event

Fall is an especially good time to reassess what your skin actually needs. After months of sun, heat, humidity, and more outdoor time, your routine may benefit from a thoughtful reset. You can save big on adding some essential products t…