The Other Mother

By: Jen Brister

Narrated by: Jen Brister

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

I'm Jen Brister, stand-up comedian, middle-aged adolescent and, more recently, a mum. But not that mum – I'm the other one. Confused? Let’s back up a bit. Two years ago, my partner (a woman – we're not solicitors) gave birth to twins. Yes. Yes. Already there’s a lot to take in here: gay mums, twins, solicitors… (I know! Believe me, I’m still reeling myself.)

Like every new parent, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. Add ‘gay’ and ‘non-biological’ to the mix and what do you get? Not a weird box of detergent, but a panicked beige lesbian desperately googling, ‘Will my babies love me?’ at 3 a.m.

This is a book for any parent who feels they don’t fit the mould of a traditional 2.4 family. Stand-up comedian Jen Brister takes a very funny, very honest look at life as a parent: from IVF awfulness to crying over the pages of sleep training manuals.

As ‘the other mother’ she has the perfect vantage point for us to laugh and cry alongside her.

©2019 Jen Brister (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Hysterical, important, moving, wonderful." (Sara Pascoe)

Buy this book!

I listened to this in one sitting as I just couldn't turn it off! I laughed so much I was in tears, just brilliant. Related to so much as a parent but I think it would be just as funny if you aren't. Enjoy!

Hilarious and honest

A different, touching story that was well written and gave a good explanation of same sex relationship and IVF treatment. But the author’s honest “take” on everything regarding toddler’s behaviour had me laughing out loud through most of the book. Truthful, honest and very very funny. Loved it.

hilarious and interesting

like having a chat with a witty close friend about babies, careers and life in general. Really great companion while out and about and doing jobs.

Bloody brilliant

This book is brilliant and hilarious and should be read by anyone who didn’t get a sleeper.

An absolute joy to listen to

This book made me laugh, experience Jen's joy/frustration/love/despair, cheer her and her family on, and want it all to never end.

Authentic, relatable, hilarious

I absolutely loved this book. As “the other mother” myself it offered a refreshing perspective on what it can feel like to raise your non biological kid, Jen puts things in a way which really encouraged me to be confident in my actual parent status, even though I didn’t give birth to my son. This is clearly a very honest account (from the HELLS of soft play to the shit-on-your-face stories) and is a big two fingers up at societies pressure to raise perfect kids. It’s also really bloody funny, I found myself snorting out loud when listening in the doctors waiting room, oops. Well worth a download. I imagine if we wait 15 years Jen will have heaps of material about the teenage years...

A funny and honest must read!

Such a fabulous book, I felt like it was written about my introduction to motherhood as ‘the other mother’. Fabulously written and incredibly funny. For anyone wanting kids it’s a must read!

funny & sweet

lots of funny bits throughout. I really enjoyed it and listened to it over two days.

Entertaining and well narrated

I really thought it was a good and insightful book and well narrated by the author herself on motherhood. Not having a child myself I felt it may not be for me but the storytelling was terrific from start to end.

Fantastic!

The Book You Wished you'd read before babies! laugh out loud funny and heart-warming