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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for health professionals who advise parents., 24 Mar 2001
By A Customer
As a practising health visitor and former midwife I approached this book, subtitled 'Abandon Your Anxieties and be a Good Parent' with some trepidation, fearing it might be another 'how to do it' tomb for anxious parents by yet another 'expert'. This however is refreshingly different because it genuinely attempts to reassure parents that they, not professionals, gurus or politicians are the experts with respect to their children. They are instead encouraged to trusts their own judgement and instincts. Though the publicity surrounding its publication has concentrated primarily on its importance for parents and (indirectly) children, I think this is also an absolute must for any health professional who gives advice to parents about parenting and childcare issues. This book addresses issues and dilemmas that also arise for us, and puts them into context e.g. cot death, smacking, child safety. It also provides more factual and unbiased information about these issues than do many advocates and campaigners. So long as we don't get defensive, we too can learn a lot from it. One of the best bits for me is Chapter Three where the author explains that though parenting and family make an important contribution to a child's development, they do not determine its outcome. Other influences - social, cultural and environmental, also play an enormously important part. Ironically, despite the plethora of advice on parenting, little is actually known of its actual impact on children. The psychologising of child rearing is also discussed. Advice is frequently based on unscientific and conflicting evidence. That this puts parents under so much emotional pressure to get it right, is described in detail. It helpfully situates how this has happened and how health professionals have contributed to it, consciously or otherwise. This book should become essential reading, not just for parents but also for politicians, experts, gurus and professionals. Bríd Hehir
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