How Not to F*** Them Up

Nov 16, 2024 11:05 AM

Author:Oliver James

As a mother, are you comfortable in your skin?

Want to know how best to be a stay-at-home or working mum?

Babies have very simple needs, yet many parents are overwhelmed with elaborate advice on how to meet them. In How Not to F*** Them Up, leading child psychologist Oliver James argues that your under-threes do not need training; it's getting your head straight as a parent that's important.

Drawing on extensive interviews and the lastest clinical research, James identifies three basic types of mum: the Hugger, the Organiser and the Fleximum. Outlining the benefits and pitfalls of each, How Not to F*** Them Up shows you how to recognise which style suits you best and outlines simple strategies to reconcile personal ambitions with the needs of your family.

Empowering and provocative, Oliver James will help you make the best choices for bringing up a happy, confident child.

Reviews

Easily readable, liberating ... a book you can trust.

—— The Independent

In a perfect world every parent would have a parenting masterclass before the baby arrives. This is the next best thing!

—— Arabella Weir

At last, something for the modern mother! A sane voice amid the shrill cacophony of childcare books

—— Imogen Edwards-Jones

I agree with Oliver James. Caring for a baby or toddler is personal, because you have to tune in to the child's changing needs.

—— Sue Palmer , The Times

Unlike other books of this sort, How Not to F*** Them Up focuses on the wellbeing of the parent as a starting point for meeting the needs of the child... This is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve, and is not afraid to admit his own frailties. As a result his theories come across not as condescension, but as advice from one fucked-up-person to another.

—— Jake Wallis Simons , The Independent on Sunday

... it is obvious that James is truly on the side of women and creating a society in which parenting and the issues it raises are shared between both partners.

—— Louise Carpenter , The Times Magazine

Hugely gripping... it certainly makes you think.

—— Angels and Urchins

[Oliver James] does a great job of describing some of the problems in modern society and how the demands of the 21st century can affect a person's happiness... [he] uncovers the answer to how to reconnect with what really matters and learn to value what you've already got. In other words, how to be successful and stay sane.

—— Ana Ivanovic, Tennis Professional , Amazon

Advice that focuses on training you - the parents - rather than your kids. A refreshing approach.

—— Easy Living

Deeply moving

—— Angus McBride , Guardian

A searingly honest book

—— Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan , Daily Express

Extremely honest and candid

—— Lorraine Kelly , Sun

(A) testament to the ferocity of maternal love

—— Allison Pearson , Daily Telegraph

Previous Article：Smashed Next Article：The Essential Writings of Dr Edward Bach

Comments

Welcome to zzdbook comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.