This is the author's memoir about gender and parenting, including incredible interviews discussing gender, how families are shaped, and the difficulties and wonders of being human. A father for ten years, a mother for eight, and for a time in between, neither, or both ("the parental version of the schnoodle, or the cockapoo"), she has seen parenthood from both sides of the gender divide."

"Featuring conversations with Richard Russo, Trey Ellis, Augusten Burroughs, Edward Albee, Timothy Kreider, Ann Beattie, Susan Minot, and other parents and former children."

Caveat Emptor -- Daddy. Red card ; The plover's egg; I'm awake, I'm awake ; Conversations with fathers and sons: Richard Russo, Ralph James Savarese, Trey Ellis, Augusten Burroughs. -- Maddy. That'll teach 'em a lesson ; The orphan girl ; The griffin ; Conversations with waifs and angels: Edward Albee, Barbara Spiegel, Timothy Kreider. -- Mommy. The jumble ; The muffle voice. -- I'll Give You Something to Cry About: In the Hall of the Mountain King. Conversations with mothers and daughters: Christine McGinn, Ann Beattie, Veronica Gerhardf, Susan Minot. -- Postlude: Anti-Venom -- "Same Monkeys, Different Barrel" : a conversation with Jennifer and Deirdre Boylan by Anna Quindlen.