The Kids Are in Bed

“In the constant maelstrom that is raising young children, it’s hard to take time for yourself—and enjoy it. This entertaining, well-researched book can help.”
—People

“As stress and its costs to individuals and society come under increasing scrutiny, experts are lining up to point the finger at a burgeoning problem: the stress brought on by today’s intense parenting styles … [The Kids Are in Bed] is a practical, well-thought-out argument for a different approach—one in which parental free time is a priority.”
—The Chicago Tribune

“Bertsche, a journalist and mother of two, encourages fellow parents to find, or create, free time for themselves … the suggestions in [the] book are laudably specific, and heeding them might very well improve one’s own parental happiness gap.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Honest and funny, this feels like a much-needed conversation with a  good friend, which is always worth the time.” 
—Booklist

“Fellow parents: We are doing enough, and Rachel Bertsche has the research and the chops to get us to embrace imperfection and take time to enjoy ourselves, our lives and our partners. The Kids Are in Bed is a welcome kick in the big-parent pants and a reminder that adults deserve fun and joy as much as (and maybe more than) those little ones we love.”
—KJ Dell’Antonia, author of How to Be a Happier Parent

“I wish I had The Kids Are in Bed when my Karglings were born! All new moms should shove a copy in the diaper bag between the asswipes and Aquafor! A perfect how-to not morph solely into someone’s mom and retain your badassery in a world of Disneyfication and baby sharks.”
—Jill Kargman, author of Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave and creator of Odd Mom Out

“Bertsche’s call for parents to drop the guilt and take some time for yourself is spot-on—if you’re perpetually available to your child but you’re a desiccated husk, nobody wins.  Her message in this thoughtful, eye-opening, well-researched book is a gift to parents: that one of the very best things you can do to have happy, healthy kids is to—gasp!—take time for yourself.”
—Jancee Dunn, author of How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids

“An affirming gift to parents everywhere, The Kids Are in Bed is a scientifically-based permission to peek out of the cozy madness of parenting and make room in their lives for themselves.”
—Lucy Knisley, author of French Milk and Kid Gloves