Coping with Early Parenting: The Magic and Mess of the First Few Years

This book is a supportive guide for parents in the early years, empowering readers to make informed choices about parenting, tailored to their own family. Written by a clinical psychologist with personal experience of early parenthood, the book blends an honest account of the challenges faced by the modern parent with an understanding of child development and what babies and children need to thrive.

Helping parents to feel more confident about their parenting, more excited about getting to know their unique child, and more inspired to tune in to their own experiences, needs and values, the book explores topics such as:

• the structure and development of the brain
• the importance of self-care and how to integrate it into real life as a parent
• two central theories informing parenting today: attachment and behaviourism
• practical ideas to support children with their feelings, help them make sense of their experiences and nurture them through play
• "good enough" parenting and how it supports resilience

Parents will be supported to enjoy their child and feel good about their parenting, even when things are messy and imperfect.

Informative, accessible, and deeply compassionate, this is essential reading for anyone navigating or preparing for early parenting. It is also a useful resource for anyone providing support to families during this important developmental period.