Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

Parents pull up the shades and invite you to look into their dirt-filled crevices, and admit the absolute truth in the humorous parenting book, Lose The Cape: Never Will I Ever (and then I had Kids!) by Alexa Bigwarfe and Kerry Rivera. In this second book in the Lose The Cape series, parents reveal all; all the things that they once judged other parents for doing - before they had kids. This collection of honest, side-splitting stories shines with unabashed and sometimes painful truths as families show how views make drastic shifts when their 'dream' children become real, flesh and blood, screaming, crying, pooping little humans that have feelings, thoughts, and opinions all their own. The stories go beyond most parenting tales, revealing Mom and Dad's dirty little secrets, including the old bottles hiding under the crib, using cartoons to keep the kids quiet, and even bribing picky kids to eat with the promise of sweets. If you are a parent, then laugh and cry alongside hundreds of other parents that are doing the best they can (and sometimes admittedly not) with what they've got. If you don't have kids yet, beware; a few years from now, you could be turning that finger back around on yourself! Now, let's play a game of 'Never will I ever.'

Have you, in childless innocence, watched with searing judgment as a desperate parent shoved junk food at their child in the supermarket, only to find yourself doing the exact same thing years (and a child) later? Then this book is for you! Lose The Cape by Alexa Bigwarfe and Kerry Rivera is a comical look into the lives of parents who have suddenly found themselves fighting a never-ending battle with an unseen force; with little hope for survival. I love how each story shows the views and (dare I say) prejudices before becoming parents. The after part of the story is humbling and can be read as an entertaining cautionary tale for future parents. Thanks to the authors for encouraging honesty and comedy in parenting; it is so important to be able to laugh at our mistakes and perceived weaknesses sometimes. This book is an excellent resource for the overwhelmed parent, reminding them that you don't have to be a superhero to be the best parent, so lose the cape!