Description

‘Hugely warm, wise, hopeful and encouraging’ Alain de Botton
‘So clear and true … Helpful for all relationships in life, not just parent-child’ Nigella Lawson

Every parent wants their child to be happy and every parent wants to avoid screwing them up. But how do you achieve that?

In this absorbing, clever and funny book, renowned psychotherapist Philippa Perry tells us what really matters and what behaviour it is important to avoid – the vital dos and don’ts of parenting.

Instead of mapping out the ‘perfect’ plan, Perry offers a big-picture look at the elements that lead to good parent-child relationships. This refreshing, judgement-free book will help you to:

* Understand how your own upbringing may affect your parenting
* Accept that you will make mistakes and learn what you can do about them
* Break negative cycles and patterns
* Handle your own and your child’s feelings
* Understand what different behaviours communicate

Full of sage and sane advice, this is the book that every parent will want to read and every child will wish their parents had.

Publisher Review

Not got kids? It doesn't matter, as the wonderful psychotherapist Philippa Perry's latest book is actually about using our pasts to understand ourselves (...) it's also an excellent book for reminding yourself: life is hard and you're doing your best - so try not to beat yourself up for everyday mistakes * Stylist * EVERY parent should read this book, however old their child. In fact, any adult in a relationship should read it too. Distilled in less than 250 pages is a road map to healthy relationships. Required reading * Express * I'm not a parent. But I fucking LOVE Philippa Perry and think she's wise and brilliant so this will be amazing * Bella Mackie * The Easter holidays were a complete joy because of your book - I feel about a trillion times more relaxed and connected as a parent and I have also found it very helpful for my sobriety and recovery * Bryony Gordon * A beautifully comprehensive look at what it might mean to be a sane and emotionally intelligent parent; hugely warm, wise, hopeful and encouraging that, with a little self-reflection and insight, we could all learn to spare the next generation a few of our own troubles * Alain de Botton * I don't have kids but [this book] is a fascinating read on the emotional baggage we all carry * Elizabeth Day, How to Fail podcast * I've had the most wonderful feedback from this episode. People stopping me on the street to say how much they've love the book's advice. Philippa's wisdom and delivery has resonated with many parents out there. I can't thank her enough for her time and energy * Happy Place podcast * This is a kind and forgiving book that advocates kind and forgiving behaviour, to ourselves and our partners * Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Times * Made me think about me and who I am and my parents and who they are and maybe, hopefully, one day what sort of parent I might strive to be * Dolly Alderton * It is like a letter from a wise friend who happens to have done years of research (...) I am grateful for it * Aida Edemariam, The Guardian *