Traditional values

There’s so much conflicting advice about how to be a good parent, sometimes it’s you who volunteers to sit on the naughty step just for a bit of time out.

But thanks to two local PHD psychologists and mums, a new practical parenting book should keep your kids compliant and you compus mentus. Celebrating Families by Helen Sanderson and Maye Taylor takes a more traditional and practical approach to parenting by using the current revival in crafts to help families improve communications with their children.

Author Helen Sanderson from Heaton Mersey who is also the government advisor on person-centred learning says:

“In my professional life I have learned many techniques for exploring relationships and improving communication through person-centered planning’” she said.

“As a mother of three, I found myself introducing these into my own family life and realised that they could be useful for every family.”

Co-author Maye Taylor from Holmes Chapel adds: “As a parent you have a definite place: in the wrong. Not only will your children tell you that, but so will the experts.

“This is a kind of warts-and-all book which celebrates the family without a single mention of the naughty step or time out!

“This book is published in the spirit of ‘this worked for us, we hope it’ll work for you’”.

The book presents parents with simple techniques for exploring their family relationships and then working together to explore and record their observations in creative and memorable ways.

Practical, crafty activities detailed in the book include making a family serving dish which records what the family loves about each other, creating a one-page profile with your child and filling a picture frame with Fimo images of your child’s favourite things.

Each of the nine chapters is based on stories told by real families and features children aged from three months to 16 years-old. The book introduces stories from families of all shapes and sizes, including single parent families, mixed-race couples and families with disabled children.

Celebrating Families is being launched at a free public event at Waterstones in Wilmslow on Friday 29 February 6-8pm with both authors reading extracts, signing copies and answering questions. The book retails at £14.95 and is also available at Amazon and selected booksellers.

If you can’t wait to buy it, we have 5 copies to give away. To enter the competition, fill your details in the form below and you will be contacted via email:

To be in with a chance of winning, simply fill your details into the form below and we’ll pick a winner at random.