Noni Hazlehurst, mother of two, and Playschool presenter for more than 20 years has recorded an uncensored reading of Adam Mansbach’s genius book, Go the F*ck to Sleep for Text Publishing. Take a look:
Go the Fuck to Sleep – read by Noni Hazlehurst from Text Publishing on Vimeo.
You can get your own copy of Go the F–k to Sleep here.
Noni Hazlehurst says: ‘Clearly this hilarious book is intended for adults, not children. Traditionally we suffer in silence, unwilling to admit our helplessness. Adam Mansbach has struck a chord that’s reverberating all over the world. Hopefully this will encourage parents to be honest about the problem, find solace in the fact that they’re not alone and start swapping ideas that might work.’
Comments
71 Comments so far
That is great just what I needed, a good laugh especially after 3 nights of no sleep and totally beside myself. Is awesome to see noni reading it but yet it seems so wrong lol
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Brilliant!!
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Thanks so much for the laugh today. Seen this before – but love it!
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Good to see Noni has a sense of humor, love her, love the book.
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Jan, go the fuck to sleep.
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Hilarious! Such an honest book. We may not say it, but late at night we are all thinking it.
Noni gave a fabulous interpretation – exasperation and all
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i may have growled it under my breath once or twice!
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too funny! read pages from the book a while ago. Noni reading it makes it even better she has such perfect expression
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Noni Hazelhurst is the BOMB!! I had tears in my eyes watching this. I fell in love with her all over again.. .
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Too too funny. Can Noni come to my place to play?
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Noni – You are a dead set champion and a national treasure !
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I love Noni. She read stories to me as a kid through Play School and it warms my heart that she’s reading this deliciousness to me now
LOVE YOU NONI!!
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She is awesome ! I can’t believe it go removed from youtube and they censored Samuel’s version too. Boring !
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I love you Noni!
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Have you heard Samuel L Jacksons version! That one is priceless.
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It’s all fun and games until some bogan gets a hold of it and reads it to their kids, because that’s how they talk to their kids in everyday life. Sad.
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Love this! My little darling hasn’t always been a good sleeper and can relate to every word of this book!!
Noni brings back warm fuzzy feeling!!
Thank you Noni and thank you Mumamia for posting this clip!!
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Amazing story telling!
Every parent who has experienced battle of the bed time, can relate to this hilarious & dare i say genius performance.
My 3 teenagers thought it was awesome…………
Thank-You for sharing it
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That’s so deliciously wrong!
Probably because I watched her read to me as a child on Play School!
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It’s like hearing your teacher swear. Brings back playschool memories, the book readings were my favourite part. Very funny Noni!
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Brilliant! Well done Noni.
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Noni is a legend. She deserves an OAM for this reading alone.
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Here is the full version:
http://vimeo.com/26403238
I just have to say, I love Noni. Gosh it brings back such happy memories of playschool. She;s just like a mum to me
(sad I know)
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Thanks for sharing that link
Was finally able to view the video – very funny, and as a mum of four I totally understand!
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Aaah US coorperate owned media sites…the home of hypocrasy.
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They take down Noni’s version but Samuel L. Jackson’s reading is still there? What sort of dimwits run YouTube???
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Most of Samuel L. Jackson’s ones have been removed also
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I’m glad that I managed to download it from youtube before it got deleted:)
I think it’s great and i can really relate to it. I suffered from chronic tiredness for years. My small kids would go to bed fine but then they would wake up on and off all night.
All pregant women should be given a copy of that book so when their child’s sleeping issues drive them cracker jack fucking crazy they know that they aren’t the only mother in the world going through it.
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I’ve been trying to find this. bloody youtube
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For all the other ridiculously stupid things You Tube allows the public to post, but they ban this…. SERIOUSLY!!!!
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Wonderful! Although cringed at my childhood plays oil star using the f word
). After a night last night having jnr up all night ad he adjusts from cot to bed & eventually crashing in our
bed at 6am (first time ever!) as I was too tired to move my 37 weeks pregnant self to
lead him back again….much needed light relief. Am glad to see commenters enjoying the book. Sleep deprived parents don’t need any more sanctimonious advice or tips about hetti g kids to sleep!!! Iove the bit in the story where the microwave beep wakes the kid up.
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http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6536596/samuel-l-jackson-reads-go-the-f-to-sleep is link for Samuel L Jackson reading it.
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http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/life-and-style/essentials/noni-hazlehurst–go-the-f-to-sleep-2489864.html
Not a full clip, but gives you the idea
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YouTube have removed the video … not at all sure why though trying to find out, or get a replacement…
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I would love to have watched this but it has been removed by YouTube because it was a violation of their policy on harmful activities….now I’m REALLY intrigued!
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Yes what is with that??? I think everyone in the country is linking it so why remove it?
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Hilarious. Noni has now read to me through every stage of my life so far!!! Could not have been done by a better person. (unless she did it in tandem with John Hamblin)
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With Warren playing the piano in the background!
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FU BAR WU BAR JOHN!!! My favourite…
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Brilliant! I love Noni and I love that this book allows us (dedicated, loving parents) the courage to admit that parenting is NOT easy and can be frustrating at times. If you have ever felt this way – you are not alone and you are not a failure – it happens to the best of us!
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No kids but OMG I am having early 70s Play School flashbacks right now!
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Hahahahahaha! After a crappy couple of days this gave me a much needed giggle!
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Wow, I wonder how many takes this took?! So good!!
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I disagree..stupid book, perpetuating the myths that kids are in charge and that parenting is awful, that reading is a dreary task. I find the attitude of swearing at kids, no matter how funny this book may seem, to be quite demeaning to the children..
Also, what will you say when they tell you to ‘Shut the F…up’ , as they will undoubtedly find and read this book soonish. Or will you put it under lock and key?
I wonder what Steve Biddulph thinks of the book? Has anyone asked him?
What! Reading to sleep…not on! Just begin how you mean to continue. That is, you start this expectation at a very early age. Before bedtime, they choose 2 or three books, you read them, then say, warmly and sweetly yet in a tone that encourages no discussion, ‘It’s adult time now. Time for little people to go to sleep.’ do the cuddle, kiss…and leave the room. They get used to this. This is called a routine, and they need these. They sleep. Yes I did use this method, and yes, she did sleep. No I wasn’t a harsh parent, just in charge when I needed to be.
Seriously. Children need and appreciate firmness at times as long as there are plenty of choices for them to make, within limits of what is developmentally appropriate and at times that are appropriate.
Jan
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Seriously Jan?!?!? If you truly believe what you have written you either dont have kids, were blessed with sleep angels like my second child, or have endured some hard core crying while “training” your kids to sleep. Good luck to you, but please don’t judge the very many parents for whom a gentle but firm “time to sleep now darling” doesn’t work. and really, noone is suggesting you read the book to your kid. And if you don’t have adult books that kids are not to read (without lock and key) then maybe YOU need some boundaries.
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Jan, I think you may have missed the point here.
My husband and I aways let our child pick 3 books at bedtime and yet, she always tries every trick to get us to stay. And after a long day, our patience is not what it should be.
I had a good giggle because I can relate, Noni reads it so well and it’s refreshing to see some politically incorrect parenting humour being published.
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At first I absoluted hated this book but after many many months of a baby who would not go to sleep I felt my mental health failing and having disturbing thoughts. It is well documented what a constant lack of sleep does to someone so for adults I now understand this book completely. I don’t love it but understand it. It’s honest. For people who have children who sleep it’s probably not intended for you.
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Wha?!?
You don’t read it to the child – you read it to your mates and cack yourselves!
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Someone’s had a sense of humour lobotomy..
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Not Happy Jan! ….. Take some time to reflect and laugh, at some of the ‘hard times’ of being a parent. Get over yourself….. The clip should be played on free to air TV it’s so funny.
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There’s always one!
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i think the crucial statement there is “she did sleep”.
one child to get to sleep is not that hard even if they are bad sleepers it’s the combination of number 1, 2, 3, 4 and on that make you really cracker jack fucking crazy (to quote catgirl above).
anyway that is totally beside the point, the book is aimed at parents, who are allowed to have a laugh. jan, YOU ARE NOT MEANT TO READ THIS TO THE CHILDREN. i don’t think steve biddulph has any particular issue with parents having a laugh, in fact i would think he might even encourage it!
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Jan, I just love it when self-righteous parents with easy children think they have all the answers. What irks me is your assumption that children who don’t sleep must not have a ‘routine’. Their parents aren’t ‘firm’ enough, must not set ‘limits’ That is hogwash. There are many reasons why children don’t sleep – colic, chronic eczema, diet, autism, asthma to name a few…
My first slept like an angel from day one, my second suffered so severely that she never slept through the night until she was four years old. Both of them had the same dinner, bath, bed routine. I was to become a single parent masquerading as a sleep-deprived zombie. Regardless of the health difficulties of your child, you do begin to lose touch with your sympathy, you start to resent them (unfairly, yes) when it takes a terrible toll on your own health and capacity to function. Imagine being woken up every two to three hours through the night for a period of 48 months. That is excruciating torture in anyone’s estimation. I can truly, madly, deeply, understand the sentiments in this book.
As to the ‘dangers’ of your children reading this … they would NEVER hear language like this in the playground!
From your exalted view on high, lacking any sense of humour at all, you WOULD think that the ‘type’ to buy it would leave it sitting on the bottom shelf of the book stand…
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Of course i didnt think that book was for reading to children. I suggest you read my letter properly.
And no my child wasn’t a “dream child.” In fact she had really bad colic which lasted for ages. I had a caesarean and was also pretty much left to do everything myself as her father turned out to believe ithis was all the woman’s role, lifting nappy buckets included, not recommended after a caesarean. So i was exhausted too. I later became a single parent, so night time was important for me to do some things that didn’t revolve around parenting. Like reading. Like watching DVD’s (yes often comedy!) LIke talking to friends. Like rewarding myself for maintaining patience and calm–chocolate was good! Like sleeping! (just in case you’re wondering.) That’s why I was firm. Kids know when they have the upper hand.
Yes, I did only parent one child, but also worked in a program supporting single parents from difficult backgrounds with parenting issues.
Yeah, yeah, the book was superficially funny. Not creative though, why is someone saying “Shut the F*** up funny” ? Yes Noni did do a good job. She is an actress and I suppose the irony of her reading it was amusing.
But I still think this book and its popularity is an indication of parenting attitudes tha will impact on you an dyour kids later. My point was that if IN MASS people perpetuate the myth that parenting is a drag when it gets a bit inconvenient, and show a lack of respect towards their kids, then this attitude is perpetuated further.
I ALSO wonder what you would all say if in this book a TEACHER or School Principal were the character saying “Shut the f*** up? Surely they have lots of difficult kids and would love the chance to say this, let off steam? Seriously, I am interested, in all honesty what you would you think of this? I bet there would be an outcry. In fact teachers probably have lots of kids saying just this to them. Are they justified in having a laugh at your kids in this way?
Yes, maybe there is “one in every bunch.” oops, gee, I think beyond the superficial laugh. Guess what, everyone does not have to think like everyone else! We can laugh at different things. Just because someone does not agree with you, that doesn’t make then humourless. And do you know what…lots of humour originates when comedians think differently from other people! Think, The Chaser. But that’s beside this point.
Parenting is not just for the moment..everything impacts years down the track. Kids know everything, they sense their parents atitudes to them. My preference was to be mindful of this with my parenting syle. Why? Because I was parented by someone who was hypocritical, lack of respect shown for his kids.
I think that if we try to behave mostly as we would like the kids to behave then this is a good barometer. Kids need to look up to their parents and look to them for behaviour. So if parents think kids are inconvenient, and show little respect for them, sure as hell they are going to think you are all inconvenient and show you no respect when they are older. Get back to me on this!
In fact that book looks like a kids book so unless it is kept under lock and key (and how ridiculous that is) then there’s a very good chance that the book will be read by kids. And, there is the internet.
I do apologise though to the parents of kids with conditions or illnesses that mean they dont sleep..asthma, autism, etc. Of course I know if a child is sick they need specail attention. I should have made that point. I do sympathise wih these parents.
Yes Steve Biddulph would think to have fun, and share a laugh with your partner and children is great. My point was has anyone asked him what he thinks of this book? I dont think we can possibly guess this without asking him. I suspect I may guess what he may say as I have heard him talk. But let’s ask him. Easy to diss somone someone for having alternative views on this book, without asking an expert.
No I am not self-righteous, possibly my writing style may lead you to believe this. Sorry, didn’t write to an audience. Or maybe I’ve touched a nerve? Personal attacks lead me to think that may be the case. Oops that sounds a touch self-righteous…
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Oh my goodness Jan – you take this all too seriously.
We all know the importance of routines, we love our kids, we parent intentionally, etc etc. Why else do we read a quality site like Mamamia?
But some days, it’s really nice to just have a laugh about the serious things in life without having someone tell us we are wrong to enjoy it. We all need an outlet for our frustration sometimes, and isn’t it better to read or watch something completely un-PC like this than yell at our kids?
Take a chill pill love – you’ll feel better!
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My husband and I cried with laughter! So true
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Noni for PM lol! Brilliant. The best thing is that when my sweet 4 year old takes 2 hours to get to sleep and cones out if her room a dozen or more times every night I no longer yell at her. I say Go To Sleep and channel my inner Noni and it actuallymakes mr see the lighter side and not be so cranky!
Of douse on the occasions when I want to get down with my badass mummy side I channel Samuel L Jackson lol! That version had mr in tears
Thank god parenthood requires a massive dose of humour a’s how else would we cope!!!
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Oh, Noni!
This. Is. Awesome.
She does such a good job of that wild-eyed-desperation, coupled with a grin-through-clenched-teeth that all parents know only too well.
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absolute GOLD!
I’ve had the shittest day on record in quite some time but this, this makes up for everything (almost)
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Ha ha!
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“and that’s the end of the story!”
If only it was the end of the story, and wasn’t repeated every f’ing night!
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Loved this book when you posted about it before.
Loved it even more with Noni reading it.
Am sending the link to everyone.
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And John, who was often with Benita! My sister and I used to call him ‘Funny John’.
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Absolute classic this book. Brought a big laugh to my husband and me after many stressful nights wishing the kids would sleep
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I loved Noni! back in the days, I remember every afternoon, I must run back home from school to see her on play school!
Love her. (Also Benita, George and Monica!)… Flood of memories!
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I love this so much!! “Do you know a baby like that?” lol. I knew she was my favourite Play School presenter for a reason =D
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I used to watch Noni on playschool as a child. I can remember her reading books very clearly..listening, enraptured. Her voice takes me right back..This grown up version is funny yes, but also kind of surreal!
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As someone who was lovingly read stories by Noni on Playschool as a child…. I am dying of laughter right now.
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All it needs is Big Ted and Humpty in the background….
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I like how it’s done in a Playschool type way. Check out Samuel L Jackson reading this book also on YouTube. Very funny!
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It is up on youtube again, was only down briefly in fact. Some brave and handsome guy re-upped it. He even fixed the dodgy aspect ratio. What a hero! :p http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xtcB457jqQ
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