Book Review:Parenting Unplugged by Lalitha Ramanathan
- Smita Das Jain
- Sep 26
- 2 min read
Writer Smita Das Jain reviews the book Parenting Unplugged: The Drama Mama Diaries by Lalitha Ramanathan
"Superheroes aren't created only in comic books and action movies; they are made in labour wards in hospitals where parents are born."
This line from Parenting Unplugged: The Drama Mama Diaries captures the soul of Lalitha Ramanathan’s delightful book: parenting is nothing short of heroic, and yet, in her words, it becomes an adventure filled with wit, humour, and tenderness.
Parenting is often treated as a heavy subject, weighed down by advice columns, how-to manuals, and pressure-filled discussions. Lalitha flips the narrative. She takes the chaos of parenthood and narrates it with such ease and humour that what could have been overwhelming instead becomes heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny. Serious insights are scattered across the pages, but they never feel preachy. The lessons emerge naturally through her storytelling.
The book reads like a memoir, but its charm lies in its universal appeal. Whether you are a parent or not, you will recognise the anxiety, the joys, and the absurdities in her stories. The simplicity shines through everyday moments, such as navigating school admissions, handling tantrums, or balancing work and motherhood in a foreign land, are portrayed with such humour that readers can’t help but smile, even while realising how challenging those situations must have been in reality.
What impressed me most was Lalitha’s ability to maintain a consistent narrative voice that blends humour with poignancy. I was laughing from the first page to the last, and there wasn’t a single chapter where I didn’t smile. Yet, there were moments where I found myself moved to tears. Achieving that balance in a book that is neither a romance nor a thriller, but a memoir of parenting, is an extraordinary accomplishment.
The author's writing style is crisp, accessible, and conversational. She doesn’t hide behind complicated prose. Instead, she uses simple language to deliver profound truths. The anecdotes flow like everyday conversations, which makes you feel as if you are sitting across the table with a friend who’s letting you in on her family’s funniest (and sometimes hardest) moments. Her humour, often self-deprecating, is her greatest strength.
Some lines that stayed with me:
“While dragons are magnificent, their mothers are even more so!”
“We may be bossy, but the boss is the baby!”
“Celebrate like no one is watching you. But clean up afterwards like everyone is watching, so that they do join in.”
Every chapter in the book has multiple lines that hold truth wrapped in humour, a rare quality that makes the book sparkle.
I rate the book a 4.7/5. Parenting Unplugged is a reminder that parenting doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. It can be messy, chaotic, hilarious, and heartwarming all at once. And that’s exactly what makes it beautiful.
Comments