Author of "Accidental Guide to Fatherhood" Compares Children to Food Poisoning and Pets
Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 07:10AM Michael Lewis, author of Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood, on NBC’s Today Show, compares new parenthood to food poisoning , being mugged and talks about his children in terms of “it”, comparing them to a pet or dog.
MATT LAUER: Michael, these are your words (from the book): “Memory loss is the key to human reproduction. If you remembered what new parenthood was actually like, you wouldn’t go around lying to people about wonderful it is and you certainly wouldn’t ever do it twice.”
MICHAEL LEWIS: I just think I have so much more to offer than Bristol Palin and the abstinence program.
It’s like, you go on a trip, you go to Paris, you get there, tell all your friends you’re going, you get there, you get food poisoning, you get mugged, the Frenchmen are mean to you; you come home. You don’t have the nerve to say you had a horrible time in Paris. And after 6 months, you persuade yourself you had a wonderful time in Paris.
This is what this new parenthood is like. I found myself 6 months later lying ot people about it, and that’s why I started writing about it.
MATT LAUER: You say (in the book), “How does this man’s resentment of this thing (his child) that lands in his life and instantly disrupts every aspect of it for the apparent worse turn into love?”
MICHAEL LEWIS: I think the answer to that question is, in part, in the suffering, in the taking care of the thing, you learn to love it. I mean, it’s what happens with a pet, it’s what happens with a dog, when you take care of something, you learn to love it.
The first reaction is, OMG. Second reaction is, “Does he realize his children will see this interview and read his book someday?” What an abominable creep. And his witless wife sits next to him on the couch giggling…
Another quote from this crappy book: “I cease to be able to watch the birth of what is presumably my child with anything but horror.”
I know what you’re all thinking… “why couldn’t he have been my dad?”
A few years ago, our Army priest used to have the kids turn to their parents at some point during the Mass, on occasion, and tell them, “Thank you for giving me life.” And it was beautiful. I also heard from a Korean soldier here say that every year on his birthday, he gives his parents presents and thanks them for giving him life.
Viva la differance’.
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Reader Comments (7)
I don't have kids yet, but I think that saying that having kids doesn't have its share of unpleasantness and inconvenience is like claiming that there's no pain in childbirth.
He doesn't say that he doesn't love his kids, but that he learned to love them. I have a lot of respect for that kind of honesty. I've no idea if this book is any good, but I do greatly enjoy Louis CK when he talks about his experience of fatherhood.
No sense of humor here. Sounds like a David Sedaris reaction to childbirth and parenthood. Of course it could be a communist atheist plot to destroy the family and everything good about the American way of life, so let's keep an eye on this guy. Next thing you know he'll start criticizing something really sacred like our wars.
Jez, being a father is the most rewarding, and scariest thing you will ever do. Once you do though you will understand your purpose for being here on this earth. It seems most other things pale by comparison.
Jez, unpleasantness is one thing. This creep compares children with dogs, calls his children "it" and says anyone honest wouldn't say parenthood is wonderful, wouldn't do it twice... what the hell is this comment?
“I cease to be able to watch the birth of what is presumably my child with anything but horror.”
"Presumably"? What an egomaniac. This man should be no where near children. What a disgusting attitude. This is NOT normal.
This man is a creep and I hope he gets the help he needs.
He seems to fit right in with Obama who thinks children are a "punishment".
My daughter is a joy, even with all her little issues. When a child is crying and you pick them up and they place their little arms around your neck because they trust you to make them feel safe, then you will know what it like to be a "somebody." This fellow here is very odd.
Thank God I am not like-minded with this foolish man. My children have been a big massive drain on the bank account and taken thousands of hours of my time and attention...and I would relive it all gladly! Having boys and girls and watching them grow up, playing with them, sharing their thoughts, introducing them to God and books and music and thinking...what a joy it has been!
What a foolish and stupid little self-centered male. He truly is missing the point of life itself. Wow.