Blissfully Blended Bullshit. Rebecca Eckler. 2019. Dundurn. 280 pages. [Source: ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley].
As someone in a blended family, I appreciated Eckler’s humorous approach with this book. I read this book as a bit of a “what to expect when you’re blending families,” because she tackles a lot of the big and small questions — dealing with exes, connecting with step-children, finances, etc. She holds no punches, even those that don’t portray her in the best light. Her input from friends provide unique perspectives of those with varied experiences. This isn’t just a book about Eckler, but about the range of blended family experiences.
In describing the start of her relationship and how it developed, she tackles common “issues” that arise for parents as they date and join families. She didn’t sugarcoat any of it, and she presents her experience without judging others. She covers not the logistics of dating as a parent, but also the emotional angst that comes with it. It’s important to note that she doesn’t hold anything back. She’s graphic to a fault (didn’t need the visual for how she conceived her “Mid Life Crisis Baby”) which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Nonetheless, that fits the theme – divorce, coparenting, and blending families isn’t pretty and neat. It’s messy and crass and beautiful, too.
While Eckler’s experience certainly doesn’t mirror my own with blending a family, the issues are similar. For that, I think it’s a valuable contribution to the books available to those having to navigate such important, yet sensitive, changes to their family. I absolutely recommend it to those embarking on, in the midst of, or cruising through blending their bullshit. It’s full of insight and more than a few laughs.
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