Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession

by Erma Bombeck


Erma Louise Bombeck, born Erma Fiste, was an American humorist who achieved great popularity for a newspaper column that depicted suburban home life humorously, in the second half of the 20th century.   Beloved for her wry yet warm look at family life, Erma Bombeck was America's favorite humorist at the time of her death in 1996.

Our favourite section is the School for New Mothers Proposal in the first chapter. Erma suggests such classes as Creative Nagging 101, Legal Rights for Mothers, The History of Suspicion and Its Effects on Menopause and Threats and Promises. Chapter 36 was pretty funny too. It's an A to Z of things (moms have done or Erma has done? It doesn't specify,) that might provoke guilt. For example: X-raying for a swallowed nickel only after you heard it was a collector's coin worth $6.40 or Hiding out in the bathroom when the kids are calling for you all over the house. 

The book was written in 1984 but you’ll be amazed how it still hold true even in year 2011!