SarahOckwell-Smith

Do we need to rename gentle parenting?

I was interviewed for this piece in the Independent yesterday. The UK’s education ‘behaviour Tsar’ Tom Bennett had told the Sunday Times that parents were to blame for current behaviour issues at school, specifically parents who were scared to discipline their children. This then resulted in an inevitable attack on gentle parenting, with many – including professionalsContinue reading “Do we need to rename gentle parenting?”

Raising boys with gentle parenting

Is my new book ‘How to Raise a Gentle Man‘ just a gentle parenting book for raising boys? I’ve been asked this question A LOT since I announced it, so thought I’d answer it in a little video. In short: Yes and no. It’s not just more of the same. It’s something very different. GentleContinue reading “Raising boys with gentle parenting”

Are you raising a boy?

Read the introduction to ‘How to Raise a Gentle Man’ for free I can finally say that my new book ‘How to Raise a Gentle Man’ is OUT NEXT MONTH! To celebrate, I thought you’d like a little sneak peek. So, here’s the introduction of the book – in full. I hope you enjoy it!Continue reading “Are you raising a boy?”

How to Raise a Gentle Man

Raising a boy in today’s world can feel overwhelming. Many parents are worried about the messages their sons are absorbing, the pressure to be tough or dominant, the pull of the manosphere and online incel culture, and the associated rise in misogyny and violence against women and girls. Programmes like Netflix’s Adolescence has brought theseContinue reading “How to Raise a Gentle Man”

What Makes a Good School? (Hint – it’s Not in the Report)

This is a guest blog, from headteacher Rob Dell, who also wrote THIS article (about whether mainstream schooling and gentle parenting can ever mix: When I meet new parents at our school, they often arrive armed with the usual tools: performance tables, Ofsted grades, league positions. I understand why. These are the official signals—public-facing indicatorsContinue reading “What Makes a Good School? (Hint – it’s Not in the Report)”

My Family’s Journey with ADHD

Tell us why you wrote your new book, Raising Attention? I’ve been gestating this book for almost a decade. It’s taken me that long to be able to make sense of what my family went through and to be able to process it in such a way that I can write a book that isContinue reading “My Family’s Journey with ADHD”

It’s not your fault

On the guilt of being the parent to a child with explosive behaviour The following is an extract from my new book: RAISING ATTENTION all about the guilt, shame, embarrassment, self-doubt, anxiety and regret that all parents face in their darkest and most exhausting moments. For those raising children with explosive behaviour however this self-blame, questioning andContinue reading “It’s not your fault”

A plea to the parents of the ‘good’ children, from the parents of the ‘naughty’ children

“I’m so sorry darling. I don’t understand why nobody has shown up” I did understand. I just didn’t have the heart to explain to my shattered newly 7 year old, sobbing, in our empty living room, decorated full of balloons and banners to celebrate his birthday party. He had invited his whole class. None ofContinue reading “A plea to the parents of the ‘good’ children, from the parents of the ‘naughty’ children”

Parenting children with ADHD or explosive behaviour – a free excerpt from my new book Raising Attention

My new book RAISING ATTENTION, a supportive guide for parents and carers of children (of any age) with ADHD or undiagnosed explosive behaviour is published on July 3rd. Read on for a free excerpt from the introduction: The path of a parent who has a child displaying explosive behaviour can be a lonely one. IContinue reading “Parenting children with ADHD or explosive behaviour – a free excerpt from my new book Raising Attention”

My top gift recommendations for teenagers

One of my most popular posts at this time of year is my list of top toy recommendations for children, every time I share this I am asked if I can recommend similar for older tweens and teens, so here are my top tips: Under £10 Uno card game Crystal art kit Stone mandala paintingContinue reading “My top gift recommendations for teenagers”