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Stella O'Malley
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Cotton Wool Kids:: What's Making Irish Parents Paranoid? Paperback – Large Print, 13 Feb. 2015

by Stella O'Malley (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
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What has happened to Irish childhood? Parents are keeping their children indoors for fear of predators lurking around every corner and children are spending their days in front of screens or in supervised activities, over-controlled and growing steadily fatter and more unhappy. But it doesn't have to be like this. Commercial interests ensure parents feel anxious and filled with fear simply to sell them more stuff, when in fact childhood has never been safer; the rates of child mortality, injury and sexual abuse are lower today than at any time since records began. 'Cotton Wool Kids' exposes the truth behind the scary stories and gives parents the information and the confidence to free themselves from the the treadmill of after-school activities and over-supervision that has become common today. The author provides parents with strategies to learn how to handle the relentless pressure from society and the media to provide a 'perfect' childhood and instead to raise their children with a more relaxed and joyful approach, more in touch with the outdoors and the community around them.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The Mercier Press Ltd
  4. Publication date
    13 Feb. 2015
  5. Dimensions
    13.97 x 1.91 x 21.59 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1781173206
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1781173206
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

'For us paid-up members of the overparenting generation Stella O'Malley's common sense is a huge relief' --Brendan O'Connor

'Filled..with knowledge and common sense' 'Magnificent book...terrific' --John Masterson - Sunday Independent/ KCLR FM

'Is this what parenthood has to be? False alarms and constant terror? Well, maybe, but that doesn't mean we can't fight for our sanity and the sanity of our kids. This book, thank goodness, shows us how.' --Lenore Skenazy (Author and founder of the 'Free Range Kids' movement

About the Author

Stella O'Malley is an accredited psychotherapist with over ten years experience as a mental health professional. Much of her counselling and teaching work is with parents and young people and she has written a series of articles on over-protective parenting for the 'Sunday Independent'. She is originally from Dublin, worked for many years in Co. Galway and now lives and Works in Birr, Co. Offaly.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Mercier Press Ltd (13 Feb. 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1781173206
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1781173206
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 1.91 x 21.59 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

About the author

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Stella O'Malley

Stella O'Malley

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
29 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and practical, with useful advice for parents and educators. They describe it as an interesting read and a must-read for those with oversubscribed children. The author is praised as brilliant.

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7 customers mention ‘Knowledge level’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched. They appreciate the practical advice and case studies. Readers describe it as a realistic, thought-provoking read for parents, educators, and anyone interested in children's freetime activities.

"This book is aimed predominately to the Irish, To me its relevant to any parent, teacher or anyone interested in bringing up children...." Read more

"I have just started reading this book and find it very informative...." Read more

"This book is a must for all parents, new and not so new! So much practical advice and the Author takes away the fear factor with pure "cop on"..." Read more

"Brilliantly written with just enough research quoted to know it was thoroughly researched, an eye opener & a must read for all Irish parents, less..." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Readability’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and enjoyable. They say it's worth reading and a must-read for parents of oversubscribed Irish kids.

"...Well, well worth a read. GET IT...John" Read more

"...An eye opening, enjoyable read, gets you thinking!!" Read more

"Excellent book. It gives realisitic expectations of moms...." Read more

"Little bit repetitive in parts but overall enjoyable and definitely some thought provoking stuff. Well worth a read" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Celi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Butally honest, but so relevant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 November 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Anyone who has liked Free-range-kids by Lenore Skenazy, and Achtung Baby by Sara Zaske, and lives in the UK or in Ireland will surely be inspired by this! Unlike the two aforementioned authors, Mrs O'Malley lives in Ireland, and seems to know the neighbour, fellow island and English-speaking UK well enough to know how anxious parents have become here. She does not condemn them, but rather blames the media. For example, she makes a good analysis of the impact of the disappearance of a certain child, and its overwhelming media coverage (which sadly did not help locate the child).
    Now I do admit that letting go if your kids when you are saturated with horror stories is far easier said than done, but for our children's sake we have to stop keeping them constantly indoors in front of screens and driving them everywhere: they need to move and they need some freedom, even though they might be reluctant to admit it, due to the lure of their video games.
    One person found this helpful
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  • john stapleton
    5.0 out of 5 stars A honest no holds barred book...Stella is a brilliant authur.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 March 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book is aimed predominately to the Irish, To me its relevant to any parent, teacher or anyone interested in bringing up children.
    She uses stats in a simple yet hard hitting way.
    The book allows you to stand back and allow kids to be just that, skinned knees and all.
    Well, well worth a read. GET IT...John
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Mumofidtwins
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book & well priced
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I have just started reading this book and find it very informative. This book was recommended to me after my friend heard the author speak at a local secondary school here in Dublin.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Nessa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed reading the case studies and the amount of research ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 April 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a must for all parents, new and not so new! So much practical advice and the Author takes away the fear factor with pure "cop on". Really enjoyed reading the case studies and the amount of research that has been put into this book, is remarkable, a credit to Stella's hard work. An eye opening, enjoyable read, gets you thinking!!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • EB51
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, a must read for parents of oversubscribed Irish kids
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 December 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliantly written with just enough research quoted to know it was thoroughly researched, an eye opener & a must read for all Irish parents, less organised time more free play. This is the book I wish I had written!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Claire
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 February 2018
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    An excellent reality check, practical book for parents, educators and anyone involved with children
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Siobhan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sensible and important advice for all parents.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 April 2018
    Sensible and down to earth advice on letting your children be children and have some freedom to learn how to be independent. Stella explains how much more risky to their future mental health it could be to have your children on screens or playing computer games than allowing them to have some independence eg to walk to the shop on their own. Helicopter parents please read this.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Maria Woulfe
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book. It gives realisitic expectations of moms
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 April 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent book. It gives realisitic expectations of moms. It also helps moms feel at ease when their kids arent involved in so many activities.. its back to basics, kids just love freetime
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • david allen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 18 August 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Practical advice, excellently delivered.
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