Parenting Hell by Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe

Book Review Nov 29, 2023

My review

4/5 stars

This is exactly what it was supposed to be - an extended version of their podcast that does a deep-dive on their journey into parenthood.

I particularly enjoyed the audiobook in this instance, as it was great at capturing the back-and-forth essence of the podcast, even though the content was far more structured than before.

The comedy was great, as well as a genuinely interesting story from both of them of how they've experienced the early years of fatherhood.

My personal favourite part of the book was the interviews they did with their wives and parents, that gave a further insight into their family dynamics.

Very entertaining, light and easy to listen to.

Book blurb

What's it really like to be a parent? And how come no one ever warned Rob or Josh of the sheer mind-bending, world-altering, sleep-depriving, sick-covering, tear-inducing, snot-wiping, bore-inspiring, 4am-relationship-straining brutality of it all? And if they did, why can't they remember it (or remember anything else, for that matter)?

And just when they thought it couldn't get any harder, why didn't anyone warn them about the slices of unmatched euphoric joy and pride that occasionally come piercing through, drenching you in unbridled happiness in much the same way a badly burped baby drenches you in milk-sick?

Join Josh and Rob as they share the challenges and madness of their parenting journeys with lashings of empathy and extra helpings of laughs. Filled with all the things they never tell you at antenatal classes, Parenting Hell is a beguiling mixture of humour, rumination and conversation for prospective parents, new parents, old parents and never-to-be parents alike.