Cover Image: Horizontal Parenting

Horizontal Parenting

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I think this book will end up getting marketed along the lines of a silly novelty, and it kind of is, but it's also a really good resource. When you're exhausted -- especially if you're a parent with chronic illness -- it can be hard to think of creative ways to play with your kids in a way that doesn't exhaust you more. This book is packed with cute, clever ideas, some of which my three year old son absolutely adored. The illustrations are adorable, and the games are easy, fun, and totally doable.

Was this review helpful?

A bit of a one-note joke, but one that I felt into my bones. As a parent of a elementary school child and a toddler, my primary emotion is SO TIRED. SO SO TIRED. So the playtime ideas and underlying humor spoke to me. Not sure it needed more than 100 pages, but the art was charming and I may actually do some of these activities with my kids.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a cute book with some clever ideas off games to play with your kids while lying down. The illustrations are great. Some of the games are silly and a few of them made me laugh. This book is perfect for all parents. It would even make a great gift for first time parents.

Was this review helpful?

Horizontal Parenting by Michelle Woo is a fun and interesting gloom about finding things to do with your child whilst lying down. I’m not sure if this is satire or an actual resource but either way it’s useful.

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

I have a 3.5 year old at home and I CAN NOT WAIT to play the games mentioned in here with him. He's going to love them...especially the "Guess what's on my butt" game! This is the new book I'm giving to all my new parent friends for their sanity and giggles. I love that it has practical hilarious games to do!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. It was funny and practical! The art is so cute! This would be a great gift for any parent!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed Horizontal Parenting--great for the exhausted parent and the older grandparent! It reminded me of my mom encouraging my children to roll the wooden cars (and eventually matchbox cars) on the:"Nonna highway'! While the book may be tongue-in-cheek, the ideas aren't bad and truly would be enjoyable for most kids while still engaging with them, rather than sitting them in front of the television or other device to entertain them.

Was this review helpful?

IF I ever were to have friends with children, I definitely get this for them. It has a lot of interesting ideas, some of them being tried and true classics, some of them things I'd never thought of before.

When dealing with kids constantly it is easy to get overwhelmed making it difficult to find things to keep the rascals entertained. This book is the solution.

Was this review helpful?

This book has come into my life at the perfect time. As a tired mom of an energetic toddler, I’m always looking for a second to lie down! These are absolutely PERFECT quick games to play with your toddler and rest. Two birds, one stone!

The illustrations are colorful, inclusive and attractive. The language is simple and easily understandable. It’s a super quick read and you can just open any page and have an activity to do with your toddler.

Love it! Can only recommend further!

Was this review helpful?

Gosh, I needed this book this week. While my kids are a bit older than the targeted audience, this book was a nostalgic look at the challenges of the younger years and a reminder that no matter how old they are, parenting is exhausting, and you can use all the tips!

The idea is so clever and we may even have since implemented some of these suggestions with our bigger kids. This book would make the perfect baby shower gift (or maybe 1st birthay gift for the parents...when they actually never stop moving!!)

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

As the parent of a four year old and a newborn, this was right up my alley. I would love nothing more than to play with my toddler without moving, and/or play with him while engaged in feeding the new one! Therefore, this book and all of its suggestions on activities for seated or laying down parents to entertain small children was equal parts hilarious and completely practical. I can’t wait to try out some of the suggestions!

Was this review helpful?

Review to come August 10th on blog (and a few weeks later on Goodreads and Amazon).

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I am not a parent myself, but I have done lots of babysitting, I worked at daycares and other places. So while I don't know what it is to have kids 24/7, I do know that kids can tire you out. Haha. This book looked really interesting and I am really happy I was able to read it!

So, you are a parent, or you work with kids, and you want to play a game, but you are just too tired. Well, this book is perfect for you! Because all you have to do is lie down. Yep, it is that simple. Either on the floor or couch, just lie down. You may need some small things to go along with, but some of these fun ideas don't need that and require the kids to get you items or use the toys they have. The ideas were so much fun to read and at times I just loved how creative they were and how much fun they were. Not just for the kids btw, but also for the parents.

Some of my favourite games from this book are: Secret agents (you are the spy boss and you give your kid a series of tasks), Horizontal Hokey Pokey (aka dance while lying on the floor), Roll the Burrito (use a blanket, lie in the middle, let your kid add ingredients (toys etc.) and then roll it all up), Couch fishing (I remember doing that when I was young, so much fun). And there are many other games that sounded like a delight to me! 

The book is also full with illustrations to go with the fun exercises/things to do and I really love their style, they really made it even more fun~

All in all, Highly Recommended! I am sure this book will be used a lot, I just love that parents can take a bit of a rest and still have fun with their kids.

Was this review helpful?

This was such an amazing and funny book every parent should have on their shelf or e-reader! It haas 50 games you can play with a kid while lying down or sitting comfortably on a sofa while your young one is busy with the tasks. There are also bonus sections for almost every game so you basically get two games instead of one.

Would certainly use these games myself and recommend the book to my friends!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-copy!

Was this review helpful?

A parenting book which is a must for all and will surely be a favourite!!
This book gives us a funny take on how parents can find some time for themselves by providing some useful tips/ games/activities for the kids to do in the meantime.
Some are so cool and hilarious that surely toddlers will get a kick out of doing it .
There are about 50 of such activities so lot of options for parents to choose from in rotation.
Some of my favourite ones are
How tall and I?
A portrait of Rest.
RailRoad to restoration.
Whats in my butt?

Was this review helpful?

This is such a funny book with lots of good tips for parents when they are feeling a bit lazy or just need a mini break! The illustrations are cute and I think little kids would also get a kick out of the different, fun things they can do.

Was this review helpful?

This book is so what I needed. I have a 2 year old son and am also 23 weeks pregnant and have several Autoimmune issues that cause me to be fatigued even when not pregnant. I love this book and all the ideas of how to keep your child entertained when you just need to sit or lay down. It's rough some days. Since my son is only 2, some of the ideas in the book wouldn't be realistic at this age because he wouldn't understand but I'll be keeping this book around so in 2 years when I have a 2 and 4 year old, I can rest 🤣

Was this review helpful?

This book is absolutely hysterical. I grabbed my husband and made him look at every single idea with me.

Personal favorites:
Ninja Walk, Amnesia, Couch Potato, Held Captive, Tattoo Parlor, and Will it Roll?

The illustrations are cute and funny! I don't care whether or not this is supposed to be purely comedic, parenting advice, or somewhere in between- I am definitely adding a few of these to my arsenal!

Was this review helpful?

This might very well be my new favorite parenting book. There are some truly great (and totally doable) activities that involve very little effort on the parents' part. I think my favorites are "Hide-and-Seek-ish" and "Lotion Painting." These will definitely be added to the "mommy had a busy day and just wants to be still" toolbox.

Was this review helpful?

Horizontal Parenting is humor and works in brief snippets of story and pieces of life. I liked the pairing of images with these moments and reflections.

Was this review helpful?

This book is a riot! My brother has a 2 year old and 5 year old and lives in a 900 SF apartment in Chicago and we are a year into the covid pandemic. I've been reading a page or two a day and communicating the "game of the day" to him. Michelle Woo is so creative and down-right hilarious! The illustrations are perfect. So very entertaining, even if you don't have kits!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Chronicle Books), Michelle Woo (author) and Dash Tolstikova (illustrator) for the opportunity to review Horizontal Parenting, in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is August 17, 2021.

I'll be ordering this book. Someone's review mentioned that this would be a perfect shower gift, absolutely!

Was this review helpful?