NPR's Book of the Day: Lauren Brantz's 'Poems of Parenting'

NPR's Book of the Day delves into the heartfelt and humorous world of parenting through Lauren Brantz's latest work, Poems of Parenting. Hosted by Andrew Limbong, this episode offers listeners an intimate exploration of Brantz's poetry that captures the multifaceted experiences of raising children. Released on May 6, 2025, the episode provides a comprehensive look into how Brantz transforms everyday parenting challenges into relatable and amusing verses.

Introduction to 'Poems of Parenting'

Andrew Limbong opens the episode by sharing a relatable anecdote about the unpredictability of parenthood:

“The other night my toddler was up at 11 and then at 2am and then I fell asleep on the floor of her room. And then she woke up again and I thought it was six. So I picked her up and brought her downstairs until I realized it was only 3am. It's one of those moments where all you can do is laugh because I don't know, what else are you gonna do?”
— Andrew Limbong [00:45]

This moment sets the tone for the discussion, highlighting the blend of exhaustion and humor that Brantz captures in her poetry.

Meet Lauren Brantz

Lauren Brantz brings a wealth of experience as a preschool and art teacher, as well as a background in writing and illustrating children's books. Her work behind beloved shows like Sesame Street and Miss Rachel adds depth to her new venture into adult literature. In this episode, Brantz discusses her first book for adults, Poems of Parenting, which emerged from her personal experiences as a parent navigating the chaotic and joyous moments of raising children.

A Glimpse into the Poetry

Brantz begins by reading one of her poems, "Monitor," which encapsulates the constant vigilance parents maintain:

“You'll just have to imagine a little drawing of a woman looking at her monitor. Monitor. It will be hard for me to unplug your monitor if I could watch you at 43, sitting at your work, making sure you take lunch breaks, making sure you're happy. How can I unplug the monitor when I care so much to see? I promise it's not creepy. I'm just a silly mommy. Okay, that came out creepy. Please just ignore me.”
— Lauren Brantz [03:51]

The interviewer praises the poem, noting how it resonated with her own experiences:

“There were so many poems in here that I laughed out loud at. That was one of them.”
— Interviewer [04:22]

Another standout poem, "Dinner Plate," is shared to illustrate the subtle frustrations and humorous observations of mealtime dynamics:

“Night after night, plate after plate, grain, veggie, fruit, protein in place, watching it never go into the mouth on your face, trying to be chill and breezy. A healthy relationship with food is the mum. I'd like to be sitting with a smile, secretly thinking all the while, from a global standpoint, this is super beep. Oh, my God, the waste. The waste.”
— Interviewer [04:34]

Brantz responds to the impact of her poetry:

“I do think I came pretty close with this book, at least from an emotional standpoint. Like, it'll say, you know, you need to change your kid's diaper this many times a day, but it doesn't say how you're feeling while you're changing the diaper. It's kind of a different perspective, you know?”
— Lauren Brantz [05:43]

Connecting Through Shared Experiences

The episode emphasizes how Brantz's poetry offers a sense of community and validation for parents. The interviewer highlights how Brantz's work allows parents to feel seen and understood in their everyday struggles:

“What I love about your poetry is that you put words to things we all experience, yet don't or can't talk about. It's kind of a process of making me, us as parents, feel seen.”
— Interviewer [05:43]

Brantz acknowledges the exhaustion that comes with parenting and the role of her support network:

“I know me and my mom friends talk about it, and we send each other memes on Instagram about all the feelings. But it is, you know, I don't think a lot of the parenting books that I read before I had kids really. It's really hard to capture what being a parent is gonna be like.”
— Lauren Brantz [05:43]

Processing Emotions Through Poetry

A pivotal moment in the discussion revolves around Brantz's poem "Spicy Little Nugget," which portrays her daughter's intense emotions:

“Woke up angry, woke up sad, only wants mom doesn't want dad. Woke up yelling, full of rage. I guess this is just the age. Spicy Little Nugget, Angry mini bean, My tiny, raging sweet pea. I'll make sure you feel seen.”
— Lauren Brantz [06:27]

Brantz explains how writing this poem helped her navigate her daughter's dysregulation:

“With my daughter, I found that imaginative play is the most helpful thing for her when she's having big feelings... I kind of just have to let her have that moment... It made her laugh, and it turned this whole thing and kind of just seeing her more as, like, a little spicy nugget versus, like, you know, you know, you're not on opposing sides as your kid.”
— Lauren Brantz [07:06]

This approach underscores the therapeutic aspect of poetry in managing and understanding parental emotions.

Transitioning to Adult Literature

Brantz shares the genesis of her book, which began as an outpouring of emotions during a particularly chaotic period:

“We were all sick. Everyone had colds, and nobody was sleeping. And I had finally gotten my son down. And I went and I finally got into bed, and I was looking at photos of him lovingly. He's so adorable. And I was like, ugh. Finally going to go to sleep, and I hear him cry. And I was like, no, shut your little baby face. I didn't say I didn't like that, but that was my feeling. And I wrote that first poem that night, and then I wrote, like, 50 more, and I just couldn't stop writing them.”
— Lauren Brantz [08:32]

The interviewer draws parallels between Brantz's work and other candid parenting literature, highlighting the liberation that comes from expressing unfiltered emotions:

“I remember when the children's book Go the F to Sleep came out, and I had very, very little ones then, and it was so liberating because that was kind of exactly what you sometimes scream in your head.”
— Interviewer [09:19]

Celebrating Motherhood and Identity

In the poem "Mom Joy," Brantz explores the reconciliation of personal identity with motherhood:

“Mom joy. Almost 40. Finally realize what my body is for. It's not for you. It's not for them. My children come close, but not even then. It's really for me to carry my brain, which holds more than expected. Stroll around target, solve big problems, do nothing. Soft, fleshy mush. Watch out, everyone. Here comes my tush.”
— Lauren Brantz [10:01]

Brantz elaborates on the empowerment that comes with embracing her role as a mother:

“I'm almost 40, and I've actually really enjoyed reaching this age. It feels very liberating... you can hold so much more in your brain. It's, like, beyond your work and your life and this and that. You're, like, thinking about all these things for them all the time.”
— Lauren Brantz [10:30]

The interviewer muses on the cognitive changes motherhood brings, likening it to managing intricate systems:

“I kind of like to think of it as your brain's keeping so many lines of a train running cross intersections in all sorts of ways.”
— Interviewer [11:11]

Finding Joy in the Chaos

Concluding the episode, Brantz shares the significance of joyful moments amidst parenting challenges, such as spontaneous dance parties:

“It's. It's the best feeling in the world. I always say whenever things are kind of not going right at home, we have a dance party. Just being with my kids and playing music and dancing around, it always brings to light what I feel like is most important.”
— Lauren Brantz [11:59]

This sentiment encapsulates the essence of Poems of Parenting—finding beauty and joy in the everyday moments of raising children.

Final Thoughts

Lauren Brantz's Poems of Parenting serves as both a mirror and a companion for parents navigating the tumultuous yet rewarding journey of parenthood. Through her evocative and humorous poetry, Brantz provides a space for parents to laugh, reflect, and feel less alone in their experiences. NPR's Book of the Day episode effectively highlights the depth and relatability of Brantz's work, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the literary portrayal of parenting.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Andrew Limbong [00:45]: “The other night my toddler was up at 11 and then at 2am...”
• Lauren Brantz [03:51]: “Monitor. It will be hard for me to unplug your monitor if I could watch you at 43...”
• Interviewer [04:34]: “Night after night, plate after plate...”
• Lauren Brantz [05:43]: “It's really hard to capture what being a parent is gonna be like.”
• Lauren Brantz [06:27]: “Spicy Little Nugget, Angry mini bean...”
• Lauren Brantz [07:06]: “It made her laugh, and it turned this whole thing...”
• Lauren Brantz [08:32]: “We were all sick. Everyone had colds...”
• Lauren Brantz [10:01]: “Mom joy. Almost 40...”
• Lauren Brantz [11:59]: “Just being with my kids and playing music and dancing around...”

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview of Lauren Brantz's Poems of Parenting and the meaningful conversations it sparks about the realities of parenthood.