about the book

I wrote this book, mostly in the middle of the night, when I had my second child Blaise. I realised how many little things I had learnt with my first child, Ziggy. I had asked friends and family for advice, read bits of parenting books and discovered many things through experience. I found I was applying these tips and they were easing my first few months with Blaise.

There are a multitude of parenting books on the market - most of which would take you three months to read. As a parent, first, second, or even third time round you just don't have the time to wade through them. You tend to pick out the important facts and try to apply them to your parenting style. This book aims to just give you tips. It is meant to be easy to read - in a spare moment when your baby is sleeping, when you are feeding them, or even on the loo!

It doesn't tell you how to get your child into a routine, or how to get them to sleep through the night - for that you probably need to set aside some time to read one of the parenting manuals. I don't claim to be a 'parenting guru', but I am a mother of two who knows how the little things can help to make life easier. This book contains day to day hints for any new parents.

I have spent the past few months asking everyone I know who has a child, for their 'one top tip' and here they are. Perhaps you'll think some of them are glaringly obvious, but they may not be to everyone.

Good luck and don't forget - you are not alone, and whatever you may think - you're doing a great job.