With its success this year, TIME OUT: The Mother of all Comedy Shows began giving airtime to fathers, too. Pop Culture will host another mom-centric show on Nov. 11

Okay moms, who among us haven’t uttered these words: “Do you need a time out?”

Fortunately in our household the threat of time outs has faded as my five-year-old transitions into the next phase of childhood—of course don’t ask me what threat is next. I’m thinking it’s something like, “Straight to your room.” I’d hate to total the number of times during his toddler years I gave him the dreaded mom look and said, “I think you need a time out.” In reality I was probably the one who needed one.

Jacki Kane, an Atlanta transplant and former stand-up comic, has transformed the concept of time out for moms just like me. Kane, who once worked crowds at venues like Harvey’s Comedy Club, figured her career was over after her two children were born. She quickly realized the comedy circuit was not a match for a new mom with two young children. “It began when a club owner introduced me as the middle age lady,” recalls a cringing Kane. “As a new mom I felt like my day was reduced to wiping stuff. I was exhausted. The shows at the big clubs didn’t start until past 10:00pm. After kids, I wasn’t even awake at 10:00.”

Like many other new parents, Kane’s perspective and interests had changed after having children. “Other comedians were covering topics like sex and dating. I was up to my ears in diapers and Cheerios. It was like a different world.” After Kane opted out of mainstream comedy, she began compiling funny stories from her parenting experiences.

This past January, Kane decided to try out some of her motherhood material during an open mic night at Café Airplay in Portland. Topics like “Pets and the Kids Who Promise to Take Care of Them” and “Honey, I Shrunk My Libido” resonated with the crowd. “It was so fun to get on stage and say things I couldn’t say in front of my kids,” said Kane. With the success of the first show, Kane launched TIME OUT: The Mother of all Comedy Shows which she describes as a combination of open mic night and moms’ night out.
In TIME OUT moms are asked to loosely interpret the show’s topic through readings, stand-up and even the jitterbug. Kane sticks with topics that are unique to parenting such as vomit and the trials and tribulations of finding a good baby-sitter. “Once you become a mom nothing can gross you out,” reports Kane. “As a mom you have to give up inhibitions.” This lack of inhibition and common experience is likely what leads moms to share their stories on stage.

From first time performers to seasoned comics and even grandmothers, the only prerequisite to participate is parenthood. Kane doesn’t hold formal auditions and tries to keep the atmosphere really loose. Moms who have taken part in past shows report that the audience laughter is the “Oh yeah I’ve been there,” kind. Those who have been willing to share have emerged unscathed and empowered. The comedy of the evening turns into a support group of sorts with shared camaraderie. Kane’s favorite performers are grandparents. “It’s fantastic to see an older generation with the same stories. If the issues we’re talking about have been around for decades, it makes you feel like you can survive it too. Plus we had one grandmother who totally went for it and worked a jitterbug into her performance.”

After the first official show in January, interest has soared. TIME OUT is now averaging five shows a month with more in the works. And, after backlash from dads about being left out, a new show called “Dad’s Revenge” will give airtime to fathers.

Tickets prices range from $8 advanced purchase to $10 at the door. The next TIME OUT in the ‘Couv will be at Pop Culture (1929 Main Street) on November 11th from 7:00-8:30pm. The show is called “Guess Who’s Messing up Dinner: Tales of Thanksgiving Gone Awry.” Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com. Have material to share? No experience is required to take the stage. For a complete list of upcoming shows or to participate visit www.jackikane.wordpress.com.

Kate Dyer-Seeley is a mom, a writer, a coffee junkie and avid reader. Her olumn appears every other issue in The Voice.