This interview is sponsored by ZooBooKoo educational toys and games.
Author of 'Raising Happy Children for Dummies', Sue Atkins, talks about the book, parenting and being a mum.Profile:
Former deputy head teacher, Sue has trained in life coaching, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Emotional Freedom Techniques at the highest professional levels. She offers various parenting courses and coaching in workshops, by phone, email, on CD.
What inspired you to write this handbook?
I was invited by the publisher’s Wiley and Sons to write the book.
What do you believe is the secret to the success of this ‘Dummies’ book – after all there are just so many parenting books out there?
The “Dummies” books are wonderful because they take complicated subjects and simplify them without patronising the reader.
It can be a major task for a time-pressured parent to read a book. What’s the best way to get the most out of your ‘Dummies’ book?
My book is designed, like all “Dummies” books to be a quick reference when you need a bit of advice, an idea or a practical tip. You don’t have to read them from cover to cover or from chapter to chapter – they are designed to be a quick reference when you need a hand.
What do you feel is one of the most common mistakes that we parents all make that threatens the happiness of our family relationships?
I think parents need to develop their own confidence in their ability to be a positive, relaxed and great parent and to trust their belief in themselves as they are the real experts for their own children.
The book is bursting with practical tips. As a parent, which do you feel is one of the most useful tips?
The ability to keep learning as you go along, trust your own instincts and to be firm, fair and consistent in your discipline.
How do your children feel about you being a ‘parenting expert’? Surely that puts huge pressure on you as a mum?
I’m just a work in progress like us all. I don’t claim to have all the answers – I just ask great questions to help parents find their own answers.
As a parenting expert, what is your greatest achievement to date? Being invited to appear on the flagship BBC Radio 2 “The Jeremy Vine Show” and BBC Breakfast TV and having my own regular Parenting Q & A slot on BBC Radio Surrey and Sussex every month.
And what has been the worst moment, professionally?
Struggling with the technology to get my work “out there” to a wide global audience. That has been a REAL nightmare but I have a great guy called Simon Jordan from The Simon Jordan Consultancy working with me now so I can finally relax and enjoy the ride !
And finally, what do you enjoy most when you are not helping us improve our parenting skills?
Singing very loudly along to the radio in my little red mini, walking my dogs in the Surrey countryside and having friends round for a meal.
How to contact Sue:
http://www.thesueatkins.com/
@sueatkins
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Positive-Parents-Confident-Kids/359670183556?v=app_4949752878
This interview was sponsored by ZooBooKoo educational toys and games.
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