Mummy Said the F-Word – Fiona Gibson

Relatable, Real and Ridiculously Funny – Mummy Said the F-word Book Review

If you’ve ever handed your child a fizzy drink or a packet of sweets just to buy yourself a moment of peace, even though you know you’re ‘not supposed to’, then Mummy Said the F-word is the book for you.

Told from the perspective of Cait, a frazzled, newly single mother of three, the story opens in the aftermath of her husband’s affair and abrupt departure. Left to juggle the emotional fallout of her failed marriage while trying to provide a stable home for her children, Cait’s journey is as chaotic and complex as parenting itself. Her daily ‘walk of shame’ past the school’s PTA crowd, a clique of seemingly perfect parents, is painfully familiar for anyone who’s ever felt like the odd one out at the school gates.

As Cait stumbles through the early stages of single parenthood, she leans heavily on her network of friends, who offer both support and distraction in equal measure. Through this, she lands an unexpected role as an agony aunt for a parenting magazine, an amusing and poignant twist, given her constant fear that she’s barely keeping her own life together. Her impostor syndrome feels incredibly relevant, especially in a world where social media often tricks us into believing that everyone else is nailing this whole parenting thing.

The book was written 17 years ago, but it still feels strikingly current. That’s perhaps because the heart of it, the sense that parenting often feels like an elaborate act of winging it, remains unchanged. The novel taps into that quiet, shared truth: that no one truly knows what they’re doing. Everyone is making it up as they go along, hoping not to ruin their children in the process. And when you’re bombarded with constant (and often conflicting) advice from so-called experts, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly getting it wrong. Cait’s story reminds readers that it’s OK to feel overwhelmed, and that most of us are in the same boat.

Yes, some plot elements are a little predictable, and certain moments induce a cringe or two, but that only adds to the charm. Parenting is messy, awkward and far from perfect, and the book reflects that beautifully. Whose child hasn’t blurted out something cringeworthy in front of their teacher or made a scene at the most inopportune moment?

The pacing is well-judged, the humour dry and often unexpected, and the characters instantly recognisable. You’ll likely find shades of people you know, perhaps even yourself, among them.

Mummy Said the F-word is a warm, funny, and thoroughly relatable read. It doesn’t sugar-coat the parenting experience, but it doesn’t wallow either. It’s light, comforting, and reassuring in the best way possible, like a cup of tea with a friend who’s happy to admit they’ve no idea what they’re doing either.

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