Cotton Wool Kids:: What's Making Irish Parents Paranoid?

Anyone who has liked Free-range-kids by Lenore Skenazy, and Achtung Baby by Sara Zaske, and lives in the UK or in Ireland will surely be inspired by this! Unlike the two aforementioned authors, Mrs O'Malley lives in Ireland, and seems to know the neighbour, fellow island and English-speaking UK well enough to know how anxious parents have become here. She does not condemn them, but rather blames the media. For example, she makes a good analysis of the impact of the disappearance of a certain child, and its overwhelming media coverage (which sadly did not help locate the child).Now I do admit that letting go if your kids when you are saturated with horror stories is far easier said than done, but for our children's sake we have to stop keeping them constantly indoors in front of screens and driving them everywhere: they need to move and they need some freedom, even though they might be reluctant to admit it, due to the lure of their video games.

This book is aimed predominately to the Irish, To me its relevant to any parent, teacher or anyone interested in bringing up children.She uses stats in a simple yet hard hitting way.The book allows you to stand back and allow kids to be just that, skinned knees and all.Well, well worth a read. GET IT...John

Brilliantly written with just enough research quoted to know it was thoroughly researched, an eye opener & a must read for all Irish parents, less organised time more free play. This is the book I wish I had written!

I have just started reading this book and find it very informative. This book was recommended to me after my friend heard the author speak at a local secondary school here in Dublin.

An excellent reality check, practical book for parents, educators and anyone involved with children

This book is a must for all parents, new and not so new! So much practical advice and the Author takes away the fear factor with pure "cop on". Really enjoyed reading the case studies and the amount of research that has been put into this book, is remarkable, a credit to Stella's hard work. An eye opening, enjoyable read, gets you thinking!!

Excellent book. It gives realisitic expectations of moms. It also helps moms feel at ease when their kids arent involved in so many activities.. its back to basics, kids just love freetime

Excellent0