Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession

I have fond memories of seeing this book on my mother's night stand and decided to revisit it. Not having kids of my own did not in any way detract from the classic humor and endearing quality of Ms. Bombeck's stories. As a matter of fact I think that should I ever be blessed/cursed with motherhood I might actually feel a little better prepared having read a little Erma. At the very least it helps me understand what my (and every other) mother goes through in a deeply personal and absolutely hilarious way. A must-read for every adult human.

funny funny funny

A look at one of the toughest jobs on earth, from the woman who perfectly captures life's humor and heart
Anyone who thinks motherhood is easy has never had children. To care for children, a husband, and oneself is a superhuman task, and any woman who appears to be expert at doing all three simultaneously is not Supermom--she's a good actress. For three decades, Erma Bombeck chronicled motherhood's daily frustrations and victories. In this classic anthology, she presents all sorts of mothers, and even a stay-at-home dad, on good days and bad. With hilarious anecdotes and deep compassion, she shows that there is no other profession that demands so much, and rewards so highly. This ebook features an illustrated biography show more of Erma Bombeck including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author's estate. (less) show less

When I was much younger, like in elementary school, I remember reading "Life is a Bowl of Cherries" and thinking it was the funniest thing. I have always had fond thoughts of Erma Bombeck’s writing ever since. So, when I found a couple of her books at a library sale it was mostly nostalgia that had me picking them up.

In this particular tome, which seems to be one of the ones from later in her career, she takes a more serious and slightly depressing look at the interaction between children and their parents. There were certainly some parts that made me laugh, but generally it seemed as though she had perhaps taken stories sent by other frustrated mothers to her and adlibbed them into different sections for her book. In particular the show more part entitled, "The First Day of School for "The Baby"" will stick out to me for being so true and so sad. Although this particular book didn't really have much of the lighter humor I had been hoping for, it was a quick and interesting read, if slightly out-dated by the times. Not one I'll hold on to and read again, but certainly not something that will put me off of reading more of her books in the future. show less

Slightly bitter but humorous look at being a mother in the 50's and 60's.

I started reading this because I found it in a pile of my mom's old books she was giving away. I really only picked it up because it looked funny, and it was, but it was also full of touching stories of mothers who offered their own brand of advice.

Yes, that (below) was a good essay, worth reading this short book for. But others in the collection are even more meaningful. And a lot are very dated. I remember liking Bombeck when I was very young, and am glad to know I still do... but I can't quite recommend this to people who don't already have a reason to read her.

---------------

> I am looking for the title of a fiction short story that I read in a used book many years ago -- perhaps around 1984-1988. I think the stories in the book were written by the same author, though I'm not sure. I don't remember the author's name. I erroneously believed the story was in Erma Bombeck's book, "If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?", which I read on the same trip. Maybe show more the actual book was also in the humor genera.
>
> In the story, an aging woman casually discusses the common, day-to-day events of her life with her husband, who has died years ago, and who she misses deeply. She converses with him constantly, acting as if he can hear her from heaven. She says things like, "Well, Ed, today I went to the store to buy bread, and while I was there ..." (The former sentence is a made-up example of how she talks, and I'm sure his name isn't really Ed.) The entire story is just her ongoing monologue, written almost like diary entries, with different dates listed. One of the few details I remember is that the woman references her husband's deep love for golf. At another one point, she begins the day's narrative by with the tongue-in-cheek remark, "Ed, if you can hear me, give me a sign ... like lowering the heat to 95 degrees." Then she goes on to talk about the sweltering environment in the place where she has newly moved. She has hardships as she ages, but the story has a sweet and gentle poignancy. At the end of the story, she is finally placed in a nursing home. On her first day, she continues to talk to Ed quietly, sad but accepting. Then the short story switches from first person to third person, as one of the other elderly residents approaches her and asks who she was talking to. The woman awkwardly admits that she was talking to her husband Ed. The second woman brightens and says enthusiastically, "Did you say 'Ed'? Oh! My George died a few years ago, and he talks about an Ed all the time! Does he play golf? What is his handicap?" (I'm pretty sure that these were the exact or almost exact words of the last two sentences.) It was a very sweet surprise ending.
>
> Does anyone know the title of this short story?

It is by Erma Bombeck, but from a different book: "Motherhood: The
Second Oldest Profession". (Perhaps you were reading one of the omnibus
collections that include both this and "If Life Is a Bowl..."?) The
story in question is titled "Rose" (Chapter 37), and the final paragraph is:

Her visitor said, "You're talking to Seymour? My husband died two
years ago and talks about a Seymour all the time. Does he play golf?
What's his handicap?" show less

Well this book was entertaining. I got a few good laughs out of it. Plus I could see myself in some of the mothers depicted in this book. My son asked me what is the first oldest profession. I honestly don't know, I told him.

This is the first book I have read by Erma Bombeck. I have heard of her before. I heard some of the things my mother has said to me while growing up. I also realize that I have become a little like my mother. Now I just have to decide if I let my sister borrow the book or give it to my daughter when she gets married and has kids.