{"product_id":"kiddos-mamas-do-the-darndest-things-paperback","title":"Kiddos \u0026 Mamas Do the Darndest Things - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eSharon Waller Knutson\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eKiddos \u0026amp; Mamas Do the Darndest Things, \u003c\/i\u003eSharon Waller Knutson explores the concept of maternal surrogacy in a society that already worships its mothers - the good ones, and bad. Her maternal surrogacy includes the special bonds she shares with a bevy of other women's children, who span all ages and socioeconomic status. In the haunting poem \"Blood Mother,\" we meet her adorable charge, a blonde, curly-head cherub toddler, the son of a friend, who is in a custody battle: \u003ci\u003eThe judge gave his father weekend \/ visitation although he threatened \/ to drown him if I didn't come back. \u003c\/i\u003eA few lines later we learn his sad fate: \u003ci\u003eHe is still in his Dodger cap and jacket \/ when he is found floating face down \/in the river two days after he goes missing. \u003c\/i\u003eIn \"Best Mom in the World,\" we're introduced to one of Knutson's colleagues as she drinks coffee out of a mug, engraved: \u003ci\u003eBest Mom in the World\u003c\/i\u003e. But when Knutson arrives at her four-story home for dinner, \u003ci\u003emadame is in the bubble bath\u003c\/i\u003e and Knutson goes into mother-mode, playing Scrabble with two of the children while bouncing a toddler on her knee. Her colleague makes a grand entrance in stiletto heels and turquoise gown: \u003ci\u003eWe're going to the country club, she announces \/ handing me a slinky red dress that fits like a stocking \/ I told you not to touch Mommy. It's adult time. \u003c\/i\u003eYou will meet \"The Woman with Fifteen Children,\" \"The Baby Mama from Hell,\" and her \"Doppelganger Daughter,\" who both bear a striking resemblance to Goldie Hawn. You will find yourself submerged in these story-poems that play out like vignette films due to Knutson's distinct gift for storytelling. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Carolynn Kingyens, author of \"Before the Big Bang Makes a Sound\" and \"Coupling.\"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 74\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.18 x 8.5 x 5.5 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 31, 2022\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42121787015303,"sku":"9789390601943","price":20.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/3374bf959d3d17bbcd6aa548a8e459f0.webp?v=1732555929","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/kiddos-mamas-do-the-darndest-things-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}