FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEW YORK – What do you do when your boyfriend’s daughter asks you for a tampon two minutes after first meeting her? And how young is too young to curl up and watch “Borat” with said boyfriend’s son? Performer and writer Dani Alpert mulls over these questions and more in her hysterical new memoir all while highlighting her unconventional and pseudo-parenting role as “The Girlfriend Mom,” (May 5, 2020).
When Dani fell in love with a divorced dad of two, she went from intentionally child-free to babysitter — without compensation. She’s not pretending to be a blended family expert. Instead, she candidly and comedically shares her mistakes (what kid doesn’t want a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation as a Christmas gift?) as well as her successes (like transforming an alcove into a space where the kids can freely graffiti as a mode of self-expression).
Seven years in, she couldn’t imagine her life without her boyfriend’s kids — only to be dumped for a natural blonde. Unguarded and invested, Dani fights for a place in the lives of the children she never wanted. Her story is one-of-a-kind while also representing the growing communities of do-it-yourself families and those who are child-free by choice. Dani’s distinctive position and look at the world, as well as the circumstances that created “The Girlfriend Mom,” allow readers to join her journey — without putting themselves in immediate danger. Dive into Dani’s life as she takes on an unorthodox role in a family already in progress — and opens herself up to a boatload of tears, and just as many laughs along the way.
Early praise for Dani Alpert and ‘The Girlfriend Mom’:
“I’ve known Dani since she was 17, and not surprisingly, she has written a book that is uncensored and fearless. ‘The Girlfriend Mom’ is a gutsy book written with heartbreaking honesty and humor. A real (hilarious) look at the modern family!”
— Heather Dubrow,
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” and Heather Dubrow’s World
“Her boobs are real, and so is her attitude. Witty, engaging, and sweetly sharp, she’s a new comic voice to reckon with.”
— Ali Wentworth,
Actress and New York Times bestselling author
“Just when you thought the definitions of the American family had become as broad and diverse as they could be, here comes Dani Alpert’s hilariously honest look at her own! ‘The Girlfriend Mom’ is Dani’s heart-warming account of her DIY approach to maintaining her bond with the children of her longtime ex-boyfriend. But it’s the budding friendship with the kids’ mother, the ex of her ex, that proves her far-reaching tenacity for love, friendship, and family.”
— Dan Bucatinsky,
Actor and author of “Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight?”
“The cultural spotlight cycles across young moms, single moms, special needs moms, moms-to-be, adoptive moms, military moms, celebrity moms, empty nest moms, moms of multiples, mocha moms, first-time moms and soccer moms, all spiritually joined in motherhood.By sharing her story, Dani Alpert skillfully introduces a very different niche of women with many of the responsibilities and heartaches of childrearing though they never expected or even wanted the label of ‘mother.’ Adoptive and step-mothers will find common threads here, but in the end, it is fascinating to realize there’s no one quite like a Girlfriend Mom.”
— Karen Malone Wright,
Founding voice and chief executive, The Not Mom
“Harrowing, hilarious, and ultimately hopeful, her global effort to keep moving forward at all costs shows how going backwards can lead to some unexpected places — most surprisingly, to yourself.”
— Heidi Shink
Author of “3 Minutes to a Pain-Free Life”
“The Girlfriend Mom”
Dani Alpert | May 5, 2020 | Memoir | Paperback | 9781734575200 | $14.99
Dani Alpert’s first headshot was her mugshot taken after getting arrested for tagging in the New York suburban town where she grew up. She’s been trying to reclaim those glory days ever since. After attending NYU Film School and the American Film Institute, Dani spent 25 plus years working as a screenwriter, stage performer, producer, and director. Her Lifetime Television film parody “A Really Intimate Portrait . . . of a Complete Unknown” was a festival breakout, lauded by both critics and audiences. Her writing has appeared in publications including Medium, theWoolfer, HuffPost, Babble, Pilates Style Magazine, Stepmom Magazine, and the Hollywood Journal. She’s spoken at lifestyle conferences and been interviewed on nationally syndicated radio shows for being the Girlfriend Mom. Dani boasts placing second (in the mature category) in the 2014 U.S. National Pole Championships. Pictures provided upon request.
In an interview, Dani Alpert can discuss:
- How a woman who is child-free by choice must unexpectedly (and reluctantly) invite children into her life when she falls in love with a dad — or does she turn and walk away?
- The boundaries and expectations of a tertiary caregiver, from legal to financial to ethical and beyond
- Sacrificing your own autonomy not just for the person you love but also for the people your person loves
- Parenting on the fly — quirks, mistakes, and lessons learned for someone who never expected to have children
An Interview with Dani Alpert
1. When you met Julian and discovered he had kids, what was your initial reaction? When did you begin to think about how his child-filled life would affect your child-free one?
I didn’t care because it was lust at first sight. All I was thinking about was getting into his pants, not starting a long-term relationship. The possibility of meeting his kids, let alone getting involved with them (in any way) was not on my radar. I continued on my child-free life way. There was also a part of me that thought dating a dad was sexy — I’d never had a dad before. That sounds creepy.
In the beginning, Julian almost made it seem like he didn’t have kids — by that, I mean, because he didn’t have full custody, there were plenty of “between-the-sheets” days. As time went on, he’d cancel our plans more frequently. It didn’t truly hit me over the head until we moved in together. I’d get the side-eye from Julian if I preferred not to partake in the weekend activities with the kids. My feeling was, they were his kids and his time with them — I was just the girlfriend. When I started to feel my autonomy slipping away, I knew this might be an issue.
2. When you add children into the mix, it undoubtedly changes a romantic relationship dynamic. How did you navigate, making sure your needs were expressed and addressed while also considering the kids?
It was a clear-cut Jekyll/Hyde relationship. When we weren’t with the kids, we were starring in homemade porn (figuratively speaking … sort of). And when we had the kids, we toned down the PDA. I adjusted to Julian’s “Dad” persona, which was easy because it was temporary. As time went on, expressing our love for one another in front of the kids wasn’t an issue. I don’t think our romantic life suffered at all.
3. You were a part of these kids’ lives during their formative years. How do you think the experience would have differed if they were younger? Older?
If the kids were much younger than 8 and 13, I wouldn’t have stuck around. Julian would’ve been more involved (I’m guessing), and his attention more divided. Somewhere inside, I knew this, and I’d often remark to anyone who’d listen, that I was lucky because Julian didn’t have full custody, and the kids weren’t infants or toddlers.
I don’t know that the experience would’ve been different if the kids were older. There’s no way of knowing. Based on my one and only experience, they were the perfect ages. I was able to be an influence in their lives, do a bit of molding, and I never had to wipe anyone’s ass.
4. You formed a great relationship with the children’s mother, Marie. How did that form, and how did it help you in the wake of your breakup with Julian?
I reached out to Marie out of desperation. She was my gateway to Tyler. I wasn’t speaking to Julian, and Tyler was too young to drive. I needed her if I was going to see Tyler. When she and I started talking, a weight had lifted. She validated and encouraged my relationships with her kids, thanking me for loving them. It made perfect sense to me. Who better than the ex-wife to know what I was going through? Marie was an unexpected salve and instrumental in my healing.
5. Do you still identify as child-free despite your strong relationship with your ex-boyfriend’s children?
The short answer is yes. I’m a woman who knew I didn’t want kids, and I never had them. And then Julian and the kids happened. My strong relationships with Nicole and Tyler doesn’t necessarily make me feel as if I have kids — it’s a lot more nuanced and beyond explanation. I will say that when Nicole refers to me as her stepmother to friends or work colleagues (because it’s easier than explaining Girlfriend Mom), it tickles me. However, I don’t identify with stepmom. Girlfriend Mom is the only description that makes sense to me … that I can relate to — even now.
A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent.
Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.
