I have always admired Erma Bombeck.  I enjoyed her self-deprecating humorous writing about motherhood in suburbia at a time when most mothers were not admitting to the problems of raising kids. Raising kids was supposed to be noble and exciting and a pleasure for moms. The idea that someone would poke fun at being a mom and even complain, was novel.

I read almost all Bombeck’s books when I was a teenager.

Now that I have written a book using a similar style to Erma Bombeck (so I’ve been told), albeit with a Jewish twist (since I’m Jewish!), I have some splainin’ to do about my book.

You see,  since my book, Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby! has been out on the market for 9 months, I can assess how well it has been doing (great!), regroup slightly (why not?), and dispel just a few misconceptions that may be floating out around there.

Let’s discuss one particular myth that surrounds the book, such as:  Is The Joys and Oys of Being a Mother, Mother-in-law, and Grandmother book only for Jewish mothers, mothers-in-law and grandmothers?

The short answer? No. Absolutely not. Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby!  is for any grandmother who wants to get it right.

Any grandmother who is a person on this planet, who does not want to turn into the mean old mother-in-law stereotype (in spite of her best intentions).

Some might say (and have said) that  “Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby!” is to grandmothers as Erma Bombeck’s books were to mothers.

How do I know? Because since my publisher released the book last September, I have received comments and testimonials from readers of all different backgrounds and cultures about how much they enjoyed my book.

I think, “wow – people really get it.”

But wait: If people already get it, why did I write the book?

For the past ten or so years, since many of my friends have begun to marry off their children, becoming grandmothers, I noted that many of their discussions with each other and me consisted of venting about their relationships with their daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, in-laws, and even grandchildren.

As I listened to these comments (coming from friends and acquaintances in my personal, professional life from various religions and cultures), I was fascinated, sympathetic and also wondering how I would fare when I became a mother-in-law.

And when I did become one, I reflected back on my own memories as a new daughter-in-law, and  realized that I had to chronicle my sometimes bumpy experiences as a mother-in-law and grandmother.

Granted, Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby! is for a niche market, which means that the book targets a very specific group of people who are transitioning to becoming moms of adult kids, moms-in-law, and grandmothers.

And the book for the most part has been written on Jewish sub-topics. Because hey, I’m Jewish; I’m Orthodox and that’s the world I live in.

However, the book is not only for Jewish people. The book is for anyone who wants to get the mother-in-law thing right.

Regarding the Hebrew and Yiddish terms used in the title, and some (but not all) of the chapters, the glossary explains those terms for the uninitiated to Jewish culture.

Hey, you don’t have to be Jewish to read “Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby!”

If your sons-in-law and daughters-in-law are driving you crazy (think Endora from “Bewitched” and you do not want to turn into her, do you?), take a  look at “Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby!”

Think Ida and Rhoda from the “Rhoda” show (okay, okay, those characters were Jewish…) and you’ll realize how universal the topic of helicopter mothering (and mother-in-law-ing)  is.

So universal that you might buy it as a gift (or for yourself) for good summer reading.

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