Politically Incorrect Parenting

Politically Incorrect Parenting

Do your kids sometimes make you feel your head is going to explode?
Ever yelled at them until you were hoarse?
Why is it so hard to be the parent you though you would be?

For harassed parents struggling to understand why they end up screaming at their kids and tearing their hair out trying to make them understand that bad behaviour has inevitable consequences, this is the perfect book to help your family make it through the crucial first decade or so and still enjoy each other's company.

Practical commonsense answers and real life examples, logical and realistic strategies, and innovative behaviour modification tools that work in the real world - all from a parent and family therapist who's seen almost everything there is to see and offers some hard-won battlefield wisdom.

"It's a strange thing that I find myself writing parenting books. Mostly that's because I think parenting books are a large part of the problem. Too many experts and too many theories, all of which makes normal mums and dads feel like they don't do what the experts are telling them then their kids will grow up stupid, or ugly, or both.

I think that the whole 'modern parenting' thing has stolen the peace of mind of a generation of parents who are actually doing a perfectly fine job. If I can reassure people that they're doing okay, that their kids don't need them to solve every last little problem for them, and that with a little common sense and a few simple tools you can deal with just about any parenting dilemma you're ever likely to face, then I'd consider it a job well done.

And if a few more kids end up climbing trees, walking to school by themselves, or learning how to be bored without irritating their parents, then id be even happier still." - Nigel Latta.

Written in down-to-earth language, this book needs to be handed out at birth: an essential guide for the struggling parent who knows family life can and should be better!

The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show on Channel Nine: Bringing up kids has never seemed more difficult with all the rules, regulations and judgments modern society places on parenting. Now, clinical psychologist Nigel Latta brings his unique brand of humour to Australia, to lead us through the maze of tactics to keep the little tackers at bay. Presented with tongue firmly in cheek, this is a series that will debunk the myths and have Mums and Dads rediscover that tried and true methods are often the best. The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show will air on Channel Nine later this year.

Nigel Latta Clinical psychologist, bestselling author and father of two Nigel Latta specialises in working with children with behavioural problems, from simple to severe. A regular media commentator and presenter, he has had two television series adapted from his books- Beyond the Darklands and The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show.

Politically Incorrect Parenting
Harper Collins Publishers
Author: Nigel Latta
ISBN: 9781869508654
Price: $27.99

Interview with Nigel Latta

Can you explain what Politically Incorrect Parenting is?

Nigel Latta: I'm effectively just trying to tell normal mums and dads that you don't have to buy in to all the drama around raising kids. It's not complicated, and it doesn't have to be such a big stress. A few simple strategies will get you through, and if you stop worrying about all the crazy stuff we worry about all the time and just let them get on with the business of being children without all the constant hovering from adults, then you'll probably all have a lot more fun.


How will your book help frustrated families?

Nigel Latta: Hopefully it will make them feel more in control, and feel better about being a normal mum and dad. We all get angry, we all yell. You don't have to be perfect (none of us are) you just need to use a bit of common sense and it should all be fine.


Why is it so common for parents to try and solve every single problem for their child? How and why should parents stop doing this?

Nigel Latta: Because for the last fifteen years we've all been told that it's our job to solve all their problems, and that children must never feel bored, or unhappy. Boredom is good, it teaches you to amuse yourself. Problems are good, they teach you how to deal with the real world. Bloody knees are good, they teach you to hold on to things you're climbing as tightly as you can. How you stop is you just stop. You let them find ways to enteratin themselves, you let them take risks, and you let them fall over from time to time. All that stuff is how we get to be functional adults.


Is it possible for children to not irritating their parents, when they're bored? If so, how?

Nigel Latta: No. Children are generally irritating when they're bored. That's just their way of trying to get us to do everything for them. The trick is making sure they understand that part of being a kid is learning how to entertain yourself without adult intervention. That's a good skill to learn and something you have to teach them. The simplest way to do that is to say "go outside and play". Amazingly, they often do.


Can you talk a little bit about The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show and what the show will investigate?

Nigel Latta: Basically the show is a lighthearted look at some of the sillier aspects of modern parenting, with some solid strategies to make it all a little easier. The show really tries to make the point that bubble-wrapping kids isn't such a great idea, and it's not much fun for them or us. Lighten up a bit and let them go do some of the things that we all used to do. Wouldn't it be great if kids could climb trees again? And race billy-carts down hills? And build huts in the bush? I think it would.