The Lighter Side: Amy Poehler’s Take on Divorce
Amy Poehler has written a book called “YES PLEASE”. It is a hilarious, and often wise, account of life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Last night, I read her chapter entitled “My Books on Divorce”. I laughed out loud. As a divorced woman, I could relate to a number of her book suggestions. As a family lawyer, I could relate to others, having worked with hundreds of clients over the years. Although I would suggest you read Amy’s entire book, below are some quotations from a series of divorce books Amy is currently pitching to her editor.
Book #1: I WANT A DIVORCE! SEE YOU TOMORROW!
If you have small children, you will understand this book. This book deals with the fact that most people who divorce with small children still need to see each other every day. Any good parent will try to put their children’s needs first, and so this book will tell you how to have a knock down drag out fight and still attend a kid’s birthday party together on the same day. Chapters include: FAKE SMILING; HOW IMPORTANT IS THE LAST WORD; PHONE CALLS ON THE WAY HOME FROM THERAPY; AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO STOP BUYING TOYS.
Book #2: GET OVER IT! (BUT NOT TOO FAST!)
Chapters include: SHE DOESN’T CRY ENOUGH; HE SEEMS GAY TO ME; THIS WON’T GET YOU OUT OF A SPEEDING TICKET; AND I’M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT WHEN DO YOU THINK YOU WILL BE OVER IT?
Book #3: DIVORCVE: TEN WAYS NOT TO CATCH IT!
Divorce is contagious! Haven’t you heard? It’s like cancer but worse because no one really feels that bad for you. Chapters include: DIVORCE IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME, BUT I AM HAPPY FOR YOU; C’MON WHO HASN’T CHEATED; I JUST COULDN’T DO THAT TO MY KIDS; AND MAYBE YOU GUYS JUST NEED TO GO TO OJAI FOR THE WEEKEND.
Book #4: HEY LADY, I DON’T WANT TO F*** YOUR HUBAND
Chapters include: NO ONE AS GREAT AS YOU SHOULD BE SINGLE; IS IT HARD TO BE AT A WEDDING; YOU’VE NEVER LOOKED BETTER; HAVE YOU SEEN MARK ANYWHERE? I CAN’T FIND HIM.
Book #5: GOD IS IN THE DETAILS
This book will help you navigate all the intimate details that people want to know and frankly have a right to know. This includes how did you break up and where are you living now and who wanted it more and how long did you know and what is going on with the kids and how did you tell the kids and was it sad and is he mad and are you sad …
Book #6: THE HOLIDAYS ARE RUINED!
This book is one page long and just contains that one sentence.
Although I may not agree with everything she writes (like I hate book #6 but book #1 is spot on), Amy has a funny, and moving, perspective on divorce. Her point of view and observations just might make you smile. If you are contemplating separation, or in the throes of a divorce, a good belly laugh just might be worth the price of this paperback.