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In The Idle Parent Tom Hodgkinson provides a revolutionary and wholly sensible approach to childcare, based on the idea of D.H. Lawrence and many others that the best thing we can do for children is to leave them alone.

Of course, this doesn´t mean that we should completely neglect them, but rather that we should provide them with the space and time to grow up self-reliant, confident, happy and free. To do so we need to stop worrying and start nurturing the natural instincts towards creativity and independence in every child. And in so doing we will find ourselves becoming happier and better parents.

This is the perfect guide for anyone grappling with parenthood and wondering why the existing manuals are so dispiriting.

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The Idle Parent is Tom Hodgkinson´s radical parenting remedy against stifled, mollycoddled children.

Modern life is wrecking childhood. Why can´t we just leave our kids alone?

If you´ve ever wondered why so many of today´s children are unhappy, spoilt, stressed and selfish, then the answers and the remedy are to be found in The Idle Parent.

Tom Hodgkinson wants us to leave our kids be, to give them the space and time to grow into self-reliant, confident, inquisitive, happy and free people. Full of practical tips of what to do and (more importantly) what not to do, Tom will not only help your kids be happier, but also help you, their parents, live happier and more fulfilled lives.

´Wise, practical, funny, personal, it will make you a much better parent´ Oliver James

´An inspiring book, genuinely subversive. Time to put away "silly adult things" and embrace childhood in all its messy glory´ London Lite

´A recipe for bright, happy people with need of neither television nor shrink. Who could ask for more?´ Evening Standard

´An original, thought-provoking book´ Toby Young, Mail on Sunday

Tom Hodgkinson is the founder and editor of The Idler and the author of How to be Idle, How to be Free, The Idle Parent and Brave Old World. In spring 2011 he founded The Idler Academy in London, a bookshop, coffeehouse and cultural centre which hosts literary events and offers courses in academic and practical subjects - from Latin to embroidery. Its motto is ´Liberty through Education´.

Find out more at www.idler.co.uk.

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Tom Hodgkinson is the founder and editor of The Idler and the bestselling author of How to be Idle, How to be Free, The Idle Parent and Brave Old World. In 2011 he and his partner Victoria launched the Idler Academy of Philosophy, Husbandry and Merriment, a business which offers online and real-world courses in the liberal arts and practical skills, from philosophy and ukulele to business skills and singing. For a weekly update of news and comment from the world of The Idler, join Tom´s mailing list at idler.co.uk

Tom Hodgkinson is editor of The Idler and author of How To Be Idle and How To Be Free. He contributes a parenting column to the Daily Telegraph and writes for various newspapers and magazines. He lives on a farm in Devon with his family.

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