Audio Book Review: I Can Barely Take Care of Myself By Jen Kirkman

I Can Barely Take Care of Myself:

Tales From a Happy Life Without Kids
By Jen Kirkman

Length: 6 hrs 20 mins

Narrated: Jen Kirkman

"You'll Change Your Mind."

That's what everyone says to Jen Kirkman—and countless women like her—when she confesses she doesn't plan to have children. But you know what? It's hard enough to be an adult. You have to dress yourself and pay bills and remember to buy birthday gifts. You have to drive and get annual physicals and tip for good service. Some adults take on the added burden of caring for a tiny human being with no language skills or bladder control. Parenthood can be very rewarding, but let's face it, so are margaritas at the adults-only pool.

Jen's stand-up routine includes lots of jokes about not having kids (and some about masturbation and Johnny Depp), after which complete strangers constantly approach her and ask, "But who will take care of you when you're old?" (Servants!) Some insist, "You'd be such a great mom!" (Really? You know me so well!)

Whether living rent-free in her childhood bedroom while trying to break into comedy (the best free birth control around, she says), or taking the stage at major clubs and joining a hit TV show—and along the way getting married, divorced, and attending excruciating afternoon birthday parties for her parent friends—Jen is completely happy and fulfilled by her decision not to procreate.

I Can Barely Take Care of Myself is a beacon of hilarious hope for anyone whose major life decisions have been questioned by friends, family, and strangers in a comedy club bathroom. And it should satisfy everyone who wonders if Jen will ever know true love without looking into the eyes of her child.

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My Review:

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It finally felt like I met a like minded soul. The wit and sarcasm greatly helped me to like this book so much. 

I've made it no secret to everyone and anyone who asks me that I don't want kids. I came to this decision almost 10 years ago. I was never the teen who would see a baby and immediately stop everything and go coo at a kid. I respect kids and the people who want or have kids. I just don't want one of my own. I can barely keep up with my 3 year old dog while I'm 21 years old, why would I want to keep up with a kid?

I don't find joy in kids. I regularly compare my dog to a kid because, to me, he's the closest thing I'll ever want to have that comes close to a child. I'm impatent and temperamental. I don't want a kid to have to keep up with my moods. I also don't want the added responsibility of taking care of another human being. 

I'm lucky in the sense of when people ask me why I don't want any kids I just deadpan 'because I don't want any' and they leave me alone. I've perfected my 'resting bitchface' for occasions like that and I'm proud. At the end of the day it's no ones business what I chose to do or not do with my body.

I've come to the conclusion that if that's what it takes to become a 'woman' in other people's minds then I'm much happier being a child for the rest of my long and happy life.

The Audio Book:

The audio book was awesome. I liked how her intonation changed when she was reading something witty or sarcastic. I enjoyed the reading and I would listen to other audio books by her in the future.

My Rating: