The Funny Side: A Relatable Parenting Book Filled with Humor and Heart

What happens when the everyday challenges of parenting become the stories you laugh about later? That question is at the heart of The Funny Side, by Shari Marshall. A humorous parenting book about family life, relationships, and the unexpected moments that make raising a family anything but predictable. Shari wrote this book to celebrate those wonderfully messy, funny, and relatable moments that parents know all too well—and to remind us that sometimes laughter really is the best way through.

The Funny Side: Relatable Anecdotes from a Once-Frazzled Parent

Parenting is messy, unpredictable, and often downright hilarious. The Funny Side is a collection of laugh-out-loud, heartfelt stories that celebrate the chaos of raising kids. Whether you’re smiling in recognition or laughing through the madness, these relatable moments remind every caregiver of one simple truth: you’re never parenting alone.

The Funny Side Book Details

Book Title: The Funny Side: Relatable Anecdotes from a Once-Frazzled Parent
Author: Shari Marshall
Genre: Parenting & Family Humour (Books) | Humour for Stress | Child Care (Books)
Publisher: Writing Sparkle Books
ISBN: 978-1-0692832-0-7 (Paperback, 171 pages)
ISBN: 978-1-0692832-1-4 (eBook)
Publication Date: May 5, 2025

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Praise for The Funny Side

Self-Publishing Review, 4-star review: “Approachable, insightful, and heartfelt, these well-penned stories are a cheerful reminder that creating another person is one of the wildest and most rewarding choices a person can make.”

Literary Titan: “The Funny Side is perfect for exhausted moms who need reassurance that they’re not alone, dads who could use a reminder that yes, this happens to everyone, and even soon-to-be parents who have no idea what they’re getting themselves into.”

The Prairies Book Review: “Marshall writes not as an expert but as a fellow parent in the trenches—wry, warm, and never preachy. She gives readers permission to release perfection and shame.”

About Shari Marshall

Shari Marshall is an award-winning Canadian author, book coach, and lifelong lover of storytelling. While she writes across genres, The Funny Side: Relatable Anecdotes from a Once-Frazzled Parent comes from a personal place: her experience as a parent.

For Shari, parenting has been an inspirational part of everyday life and of her writing. The Funny Side grew from the funny, messy, heartwarming, and sometimes questionable moments she experienced while raising her children. She wrote the book for her sons, but realized the stories could also resonate with other parents.

Shari’s writing has appeared in publications including Chicken Soup for the Soul, Parents Canada, Mamalode, and The RCMP Quarterly. The Funny Side won the Literary Titan Gold Book Award for Nonfiction in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Funny Side about?

The Funny Side is a humorous collection of relatable parenting anecdotes drawn from Shari Marshall’s experiences raising her sons. They’re stories that celebrate the everyday chaos of family life and the laughter that helps us get through it.

What genre is The Funny Side?

The Funny Side: Relatable Anecdotes from a Once-Frazzled Parent is nonfiction, specifically:

• Parenting & Family
• Humour
• Personal Essays & Memoir-style nonfiction
• Parenting anecdotes

The primary genre is Humorous Parenting Nonfiction.

Genre: Parenting Nonfiction | Humor | Personal Essays

Who Is The Funny Side For?

The Funny Side: Relatable Anecdotes from a Once-Frazzled Parent is for parents, caregivers, and anyone who has experienced the wonderfully unpredictable world of raising children. If you’ve ever found yourself laughing at a parenting moment that didn’t seem funny at the time, this book is for you.

These humorous parenting anecdotes are perfect for readers who enjoy personal stories, relatable family experiences, and nonfiction that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Whether you’re in the middle of raising children or looking back on those years with a mixture of fondness and disbelief, The Funny Side offers a reminder that you’re not alone—and sometimes the best thing we can do is laugh.

Other Books by Shari Marshall

• Vizard (Prequel in The Ember Files Series)
• Ember Stone (Book 1 in The Ember Files Series)
• Chimera and Curses (Book 2 in The Ember Files Series)
• From the Ashes (Book 3 in The Ember Files Series)
• Dug Up (Standalone Adult Fantasy)
• The Lost Goblin Map (Middle-grade Fantasy)