The Secret Diary of a New Mum (Aged 43 1/4)

The first of its kind, this is a hilarious and brilliantly observed real-life diary of a new ‘midlife mum’. The essential antidote to earnest pregnancy books.

Whatever your age, becoming a mum for the first time brings with it excitement, anxiety and numerous challenges. But how do you cope when, to top it all, you discover you are old enough to be the mother of everyone else in your NCT group? The story of one woman, one new baby, a slipped disc and rather too many wrinkles, The Secret Diary of a New Mum (Aged 43 1/4) follows the tale of a midlife mum as she tries to make the transition from experienced TV producer to utterly inexperienced parent.

One in five babies is born to a mum over 35, and the number of over 40s giving birth has doubled. The first humorous narrative account of what it’s really like to be a midlife mum – whether it’s deftly side-stepping any questions about age and baby number two or weeping as younger counterparts ping back into their size ten jeans within thirty seconds of giving birth – this is the thoroughly entertaining, insightful and often hilarious account of what happens as you face up to menopause and new motherhood at the same time.

First published by Vermillion (Penguin Random House) in 2011
Reissued by Duckworth in March, 2021

“Brilliantly observed. Reading this book about motherhood is like looking in the mirror, funny, embarrassing and yet cruelly honest.”
Fay Ripley

“Warm, witty and very, very wise – the perfect antidote to all those po-faced pregnancy books. As a fellow Geriatric Mother I found myself constantly laughing and nodding along in agreement”.
Imogen Edwards-Jones

“Hilariously candid”.
The Daily Mail

“Very funny…astute…insightful…a recommended read!”
Weston-Super-Mom

“This honest, laugh out loud account gives a wonderful insight into the incredible journey of becoming a mum.”
The Sun

“I laughed out loud and cried in buckets and it has been a long time since I enjoyed a book quite as much… This is one seriously witty book! I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. Whether you are a modern middle-aged mum or not, whether you are yet to be pregnant, are now pregnant, or have already had a child – it is just absolutely timeless. And an amazingly entertaining read… I can’t praise it enough!”
www.mostlyyummymummy.com

‘A wincing, but hilarious, account of other judgey people and a must-read for any new mum: whatever their age.’
Anstey Harris

‘Relatable, honest, and absolutely hilarious.Such an important story about motherhood that rang so true. I laughed out loud so many times!’
Jessica Ryn

‘The Secret Diary of a New Mum is an honest and very funny account of her trials and tribulations when author Rosen became a first-time mother in her 40s. A must-read for all mums-to-be.’
Nina Potell, Prima magazine’s Best Books of the Month (March)

‘Really enjoyed this searingly honest book from the fabulous Cari Rosen. It’s funny and insightful and a thoroughly entertaining read.’
Josie Lloyd

‘Sparky, funny and brutally honest’
Lissa Evans

‘Warm and funny and relatable. Just what we all need right now… ‘what a perfect Mother’s Day treat it would be.’
Veronica Henry

‘God knows we all need a boost right now and who better to bring a smile to your face?’
Penny Parkes