The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did)

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 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 So clear and true … can’t stop recommending it to people … helpful for all relationships in life, not just parent-child ― Nigella Lawson 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 and how we react to situations that test our patience and emotions. She explains that these sharp reactions might well be down to what happened in our childhoods – and the flashpoints that these emotions can stir up makes for fascinating reading whether you’re actively parenting or not. 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 If you’re determinedly not a self-help kind of reader (like me), make an exception for [this book]. And if you’re not a parent, don’t dismiss it. The message is one of non-judgemental kindness. The sophisticated psychoanalytical version of my « count to ten and then say something kind » advice to my kids (and myself) when things start to fall apart ― Vogue As a mother of a three year old, I have an aversion to the endless saccharine social-media posts about parenting. Perry’s book is the antithesis of all that – practical and logical ― Elle