9 Things

It is easy in our fast-paced, competitive, consumer-driven world to forget that children are not mini-adults, projects to be managed or problems to be solved. This common-sense guide to parenting and caring for children under eight, reminds us that a child’s development cannot be rushed, or crudely measured again milestones. It takes an entire childhood to grow and there is no perfect when it comes to parenting.

In her informed, heartfelt way, popular Australian parenting author Maggie Dent takes a comprehensive look at the 9 Things that truly matter in raising children, and why they matter so much. She uses the metaphor of a wise aunty, Wilma — a voice of ancient wisdom that seems to be disappearing amidst the chaos.

With passion, warmth and humour, Maggie draws on current research and her extensive experience as an educator, counsellor and mother of four to guide parents and caregivers in their endless decision-making, to raise children who are happy, healthy, strong, kind and resilient.

“This book is a wonderful gift to parents of our time! Maggie’s genius is in weaving together research, experience and wisdom to create a very readable text that awakens our natural intuition about raising children. We are made to be good at growing up our young and Maggie captures the essence of what it is to go back to basics, go back to instincts and do right by our children.” — Dr Vanessa Lapointe, clinical psychologist and founder of The Wishing Star Lapointe Developmental Clinic in British Columbia, Canada

“I love Maggie’s writing, her previous books have already found their way into thousands of grateful parents’ hearts. Maggie’s special gift is that her writing makes hard facts, dry academic research and complex information completely accessible. She is so easy to read — that afterwards you feel so very satisfied! This book, like her others is the knowledgeable but well informed friend you always wanted.” — Jenny Mosely, author and international education consultant, and creator of QCT, Quality Circle Time, UK.

Contents :

• Introduction
• 1st Thing — Connected mothering
• 2nd Thing —The bountiful brain in infancy
• 3rd Thing — Go-slow childhoods
• 4th Thing — Roosters and lambs
• 5th Thing — The magic of movement and play
• 6th Thing — Gorgeous girls and beautiful boys
• 7th Thing — Expectations, belief systems and mindsets — positive memory pathways
• 8th Thing — Kindness and fairness really matters
• 9th Thing — The safe circle of community
• Conclusion
• Appendix 1: Nursery Rhymes
• References
• Index