Parenting Unplugged Book Review: Lessons from The Drama Mama Diaries by Lalitha Ramanathan
I recently read a book by my friend, Lalitha Ramanathan, and honestly, it felt like reading the parenting version of my own thoughts ; just wittier, funnier, and far better worded. Parenting Unplugged isn’t your usual parenting manual that tries to fix you or your kids. It’s a warm, funny, and honest take on what it really feels like to raise little (and not-so-little) humans while trying to hold on to your sanity and sense of humour.
Lalitha, who lives in Singapore but has her roots in India, brings a beautiful blend of both worlds into her writing. Her stories feel instantly familiar ; full of the warmth of Indian parenting and the everyday adventures of expat life. I’ve been to Singapore myself, so the little details she adds made it all come alive. It almost felt like I was right there with her and her daughter at the zoo, watching those moments unfold in real time.
Her anecdotes are so real; from surviving tantrums and tricky school admissions to handling tech drama and those deep, never-ending “why” questions. You’ll find yourself nodding, smiling, and at times, laughing out loud because she gets it, all of it.
What instantly caught my attention were the chapter titles. Each one rhymes and sparkles with wit, Milestones, Meetings, and Milk-stains, Toys, Teeth, and Tiny Triumphs, Gadgets, Giggles, and Geniuses. You can tell from the titles alone that this book isn’t afraid to find humour in the everyday chaos of parenting.
As a parent of tweens, this book hit differently. Those early years of sleepless nights may be behind, but the emotional rollercoaster only changes shape. Lalitha beautifully captures that shift , the push and pull between wanting to protect your kids and watching them grow into independent (and opinionated!) humans. She makes you laugh but also reminds you to pause and savour the small wins, a smile, a hug, or even a shared eye roll.
What I loved most was how her storytelling felt like a real conversation. She doesn’t sugarcoat the struggles, nor does she glorify the “supermom” narrative. Instead, she celebrates imperfect parenting, the mess, the doubts, the moments when you lose it, and the ones that make you melt. Her tone has just the right mix of empathy and playfulness, making every page feel comforting and familiar.
This book is perfect for every parent who’s ever felt overwhelmed, tired, or unsure - basically, all of us. It’s like a cozy reminder that parenting doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful. It can be messy, noisy, hilarious, and still filled with heart.
If you’ve been needing a light, feel-good read that’ll make you laugh and remind you that you’re doing just fine, Parenting Unplugged is exactly that.
Add The Drama Mama Diaries to your shelf—buy it from [here].
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
