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It. Goes. So. Fast.
It. Goes. So. Fast.: The Year of No Do-Overs | Mary Louise Kelly
8 posts | 9 read | 1 reading | 8 to read
Operating Instructions meets Glennon Doyle in this new book by famed NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly that is destined to become a classicabout the year before her son goes to collegeand the joys, losses and surprises that happen along the way. The time for do-overs is over. Ever since she became a parent, Mary Louise Kelly has said next year. Next year will be the year she makes it to her son Jamess soccer games (which are on weekdays at 4 p.m., right when she is on the air on NPRs All Things Considered, talking to millions of listeners). Drive carpool for her son Alexander? Not if she wants to do that story about Ukraine and interview the secretary of state. Like millions of parents who wrestle with raising children while pursuing a career, she has never been cavalier about these decisions. The bargain she has always made with herself is this: this time Ill get on the plane, and next year Ill find a way to be there for the mom stuff. Well, James and Alexander are now seventeen and fifteen, and a realization has overtaken Mary Louise: her older son will be leaving soon for college. There used to be years to make good on her promises; now, there are months, weeks, minutes. And with the devastating death of her beloved father, Mary Louise is facing act three of her life head-on. Mary Louise is coming to grips with the reality every parent faces. Childhood has a definite expiration date. You have only so many years with your kids before they leave your house to build their own lives. Its what every parent is supposed to want, what they raise their children to do. But it is bittersweet. Mary Louise is also dealing with the realities of having aging parents. This pivotal time brings with it the enormous questions of what you did right and what you did wrong. This chronicle of her eldest childs final year at home, of losing her father, as well as other curve balls thrown at her, is not a definitive answer?not for herself and certainly not for any other parent. But her questions, her issues, will resonate with every parent. And, yes, especially with mothers, who are judged more harshly by society and, more important, judge themselves more harshly. What would she do if she had to decide all over again? Mary Louises thoughts as she faces the coming year will speak to anyone who has ever cared about a child or a parent. It. Goes. So. Fast. is honest, funny, poignant, revelatory, and immensely relatable.
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sarahgreatlove
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Pickpick

I laughed, I cried. The narration is fabulous. Such a great book but - parents of teenagers, beware: listen at your own peril. There will be feelings. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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NovelNancyM
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Loved this honest memoir. Had me tearing up in so many places as I connected with the author as a daughter of a strong mother, the death of a father, and being a parent of adult children. Some days of childrearing often feel endless, yet once they're over, it feels as if those years pass so quickly.

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britt_brooke
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I don‘t listen to NPR, so wasn‘t super familiar with Kelly, but this memoir in essays touches on so many relatable parenting moments. She‘s also a soccer mom of two sons with almost identical age split as my boys. These stories are the ones I enjoyed most. The thought that my boys might one day play on the same high school team nearly made my heart burst! Looking forward to discussing at #bookclub !

DocBrown What is this? You *don‘t* listen to NPR?!? Don‘t you fear for your mortal soul?? 7mo
britt_brooke @DocBrown 😂😂 7mo
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Sara_Planz
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What an incredibly relatable book and honestly I read it at the perfect time. With so many women talking about how hard it is to be everything to everyone, Mary Louise Kelly really hits the nail on the head. I empathized with every bit of struggle, guilt, and failure that she writes so honestly about in this book, but I also cheered right alongside her as she found ways to be more present for herself and her children.

NovelNancyM Great photo that captures the essence of the book!
6mo
42 likes1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
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Those 2 were just in diapers 😭
I am so sentimental about my kids growing up, so I knew I had to read this book. The soccer cleats especially resonate, as we do lots of soccer.
The book is very readable, but not as relatable to our family, as Kelly has a more demanding job than mine, and also a higher tax bracket. However, when she shares the feelings of missing her kids‘ events due to work commitments I can sympathize. The audio was well done.

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Kappadeemom
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Non fiction about how fast raising children happens and how we struggle with the guilt of chasing a career and chasing kids. As a working mom who raised 6 kids, this resonates with me.

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ImperfectCJ
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I finished listening to this audiobook while sealing and stamping graduation announcements. Mary Louise Kelly and I don't have a whole lot in common (same generation, elder children a year apart in age, and that's pretty much it), and I admit to glazing over during some of the world news bits, but as Kelly writes about the milestones of middle age---empty nest, aging parents, career shifts, marriage challenges---her words resonate so much for me.

ImperfectCJ I generally avoid anything that's compared in blurbs with Glennon Doyle's writing, but I'm glad I made an exception for this one. I don't know if it will feel significant to others not in a similar life stage, but it was a comfort to me to read. 11mo
ImperfectCJ And I really need to vary my sentence construction a little more. Reading over this review, I realize I'm very tied to the "statement, but..." format. Something to work on. 11mo
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ImperfectCJ
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Started this one before work but luckily also before putting on makeup. I hope I don't cry through the whole thing, but as the parent of a high school senior, this is the perfect time for me to read this, which is also the worst time for me to read it, if I don't want to walk around with mascara lines down my face.

brittanyreads Mom of a kindergartner here and even that cover alone is pulling at my heart strings 😭 I hope you enjoy the book and all those precious moments, too 🙂 11mo
Suet624 I have 4 children. The first two leaving for college were tough on me, despite the fact that each time I still had children at home and a super busy work schedule. Two years before my twins (the final two children) left for college I started working with a therapist to help me deal with it. We had traveled for years together to soccer tournaments and they were my buddies. Despite the preparation it still wasn‘t easy to see them go. 💔 11mo
Tamra I heard an interview with her on NPR and it was great. There are times when I think I can‘t wait for them to be independent adults and then most of the time I think none of us are prepared! 😩 I hear most of the time kids start that separation long before so it isn‘t so abrupt. But still….I hope mine go to college nearby and live at home. (I say that now.) 😉 11mo
rretzler My younger son is also a HS senior this year. The first son leaving was rough, but I still had one at home - I don't know how I will get through this one. Haven't read this book, but seeing the soccer shoes and @Suet624's comment - my husband spent many wonderful hours with both sons traveling to soccer tournaments, until both of them “retired“ in their respective 10th grade years. That was difficult because we didn't talk nearly as much. 11mo
Chelsea.Poole I‘ve just started this as well and I‘m having a rough time. Also hits close to home with those soccer cleats 😢 my boy just turned 8, so hopefully we have many more tournaments to go. 11mo
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