A tenderly observed, ruthlessly honest and hilariously funny memoir about the joys and horrors of motherhood

A Woman Of No Importance

Now available in B format paperback, this book tells the inside story of what it is actually like to be the mother of a pre-school child

Kate Konopicky is a regular contributor to Junior magazine on child-related issues and she lives with her family in South Ealing, London

If there's one thing that everyone has an opinion about it's how to bring up a child - especially your child. Kate Konopicky found herself an embattled mother, knowing that however hard she worked everything was wrong. If she went back to full-time employment she was neglecting her child. If she stayed at home the child would be clingy and shy. So, she became a combination of teacher, nurse, nutritionist, psychologist, entertainer and mind reader. She didn't get weekends off and never phoned in sick when she wanted a lie-in. The boss was illogical, demanding, incapable of undertaking the simplest task. Yes, we've all had jobs like that but at least we got paid for them. 
 
Kate Konopicky is an anarchic voice in the face of regimented parenting books. With brilliant humour, she'll make you believe you're not a failure when your fairy cakes don't rise, and you'll slowly come to realise that you may not be perfect but that you are doing your best. 
 
'A wildly irreverent look at the parenting game. This riotous look back over her first five years of motherhood will come as a relief to imperfect parents everywhere - in other words, to all parents.' You Magazine

Kate Konopicky

'If you need a giggle and/or reassurance you're not the only pregnant woman with strong feelings on weak bladders, maternity knickers and interfering strangers, you need 100 Things I Hate About Pregnancy. Great for a quick pick-me-up!'

this fun little book celebrates being pregnant and peevish...the author's witty gripes will keep you smiling through it all

Though a very special time for every woman, pregnancy can be pretty stressful, and unless you've been there it's hard to appreciate what a woman is going through. 
 
In this hilarious book Kate Konopicky lists 100 things that she hated when she was pregnant, from baby on board badges ('Not funny. Just twee.'), to jokes about cravings ('No I don't want a piece of coal for my lunch and I haven't eaten the potting compost') , dropping food on your stomach, the fact that HE'S not pregnant, having to decorate the nursery, maternity bras and horrible baby stationery.

100 Things I Hate About Pregnancy

About us

About Us (Header 4)

Best-Jane-Austen-quotes_Online-Desktop_Penguin

James-Baldwin

Marian-Keyes

haruki-murakami-320×320-1

Richard-Osman

Malorie Blackman

Lisa-Jewell

Charlie-Mackesy

Authors (Header 3)

Children&#039;s

Company

Discover

Fiction

Non-fiction

Penguin Classics

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Work with us

sectionTitle

isEnabled

anchor

anchorLabel

prhuk/featured-book

prhuk/praise-section

maxBooks

showViewMore

prhuk/books-section

hideAuthorAlert

formName

iterableDivision

iterableBrand

buttonText

description

heading

legalText

successHeading

successText

image

alignment

variation

prhuk/email-section

prhuk/series-section

prhuk/biography-section

prhuk/articles-section

prhuk-authors

Penguin Shop: 15% off for a limited time with code PENGUINXMAS2025

Little Black Classics Box Set

White Nights

Frankenstein

Kate Konopicky

Praise for 100 Things I Hate About Pregnancy

'If you need a giggle and/or reassurance you're not the only pregnant woman with strong feelings on weak bladders, maternity knickers and interfering strangers, you need 100 Things I Hate About Pregnancy. Gr ...

this fun little book celebrates being pregnant and peevish...the author's witty gripes will keep you smiling through it all

Books by Kate Konopicky

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter