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'Sweet Potato' Guide Digs Deep Into Southern Roots

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By JANINE DORSEY

Published: February 17, 2008

"The Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Raising Children for Fun & Profit," by Jill Conner Browne (Simon & Schuster, $22.95)

The title of this book caught my attention since I am looking to recoup some of my losses on my children. Nearly $300 a month for years for private music lessons and they still have no paying gigs.

But, alas, this book offered no practical advice. What it does offer, though, is page after page of Southern-fried, mama-style humor.

If you are already a fan of any of the "Sweet Potato Queens" books, this one is a must-read for your lounging-around-sipping-sweet-tea time.

If your life has ever been turned upside down by the sudden appearance of someone who is knee-high to a tadpole, then read this book directly.
Jill Conner Browne extols the virtues of the "in-bed peeing ease of a catheter" after the Caesarean-section birth of her very own darling, BoPeep, the benefits of nursing on a previously lacking bust line, the all-too-necessary nap time and other perks of motherhood.

Then there's the inevitable downside of the job: in a word, snot.

"Most babies will staunchly resist such efforts, and, indeed, put up a fuss of mythic proportion. They made that snot theirveryownselves and it is adorning theirveryownfaces and garments and living quarters and they just do not see where that is any business of yours."

But wait, there's more! There are chapters on talking to your kids about sex, potty training and potty mouths. Manners, housework, tooth fairies, ignorant husbands and discipline are also covered with Browne's signature Southern style.

Janine Dorsey is the news/special projects producer and entertainment editor for TBO.com.

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