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

Critics Review

• It is like a letter from a wise friend who happens to have done years of research (…) I am grateful for it

  Aida Edemariam, The Guardian

• Made me think about me and who I am and my parents and who they are and maybe, hopefully, one day what sort of parent I might strive to be

  Dolly Alderton

• I’ve had the most wonderful feedback from this episode. People stopping me on the street to say how much they’ve love the book’s advice. Philippa’s wisdom and delivery has resonated with many parents out there. I can’t thank her enough for her time and energy

  Happy Place podcast

• I don’t have kids but [this book] is a fascinating read on the emotional baggage we all carry

  Elizabeth Day, How to Fail podcast

• The Easter holidays were a complete joy because of your book – I feel about a trillion times more relaxed and connected as a parent and I have also found it very helpful for my sobriety and recovery

  Bryony Gordon

• 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

• Philippa Perry goes through each stage of parenthood, from pregnancy to the teen years, suggesting emotional techniques that will help you to have a strong and healthy relationship with your babies and yourself

  Mother & Baby

• It gave me hope as a new parent that whatever learnt behaviour you’ve got from your mum and dad (…) you can learn from that but it doesn’t have to stay with you

  Babita Sharma, BBC News

• In fact, I’d say Philippa Perry is one of the wisest, most sane and secure people I’ve ever met

  Decca Aitkenhead, Sunday Time Magazine

• she writes with an inquisitive elegance rarely found in parenting guides (…) the book is still firm with parents but also forgiving (…) it is forgiving and persuasive – God, it’s persuasive. I’ve yet to meet a parent who hasn’t altered their parenting to some degree after reading it, myself included

  Hadley Freeman, the Guardian

• I’m going to be honest Philippa, this has genuinely had such a positive impact on my life and my relationship with my daughter – so thank you very much for that

  Josh Widdicombe

• A wise book on parents and children

  The Times

• The main message is that is that it’s best to acknowledge, rather than dismiss, children’s feelings (…) and that parenting is not about perfection

  i Newspaper