Parents encouraged not to be paranoid


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A new book, entitled 'Paranoid Parenting' by Frank Furedi, is likely to strike a chord with many people. It runs through a series of scenarios, usually guaranteed to strike the fear of God in most people involved in the day to day supervision of children. For example, concerns that a youngster is not keeping up developmentally with his or her peers, worries regarding 'stranger danger' and a fixation with the potential powers of corruption of television and the internet. In each case, the author - himself a father of a boisterous two year old - argues the case for staying calm, keeping things in perspective and trusting your instincts. He also emphasises the need to equip children with risk handling skills - and protecting them constantly will never engender these, so there needs to be a certain amount of controlled exposure.

Mr Furedi is a big fan of using older children to set examples to younger siblings and friends, saying, 'Children are very responsible. A 13 year old boy will help a seven-year old boy in an almost fatherly way.'

The author cannot stress enough the need for parents to avoid transmitting their negative feelings to their offspring, saying, 'Every parent wants to give their child the best start in life and that means that you've got to separate your own anxieties and fears from their interests'. He goes on to say, 'It is far better for youngsters to make their own way in the world with your love and support, rather than you continually trying to stop them doing things, expecting the worst possible outcome’.

Paranoid Parenting is published by Allen Lane, The Penguin Press, and costs 9.99.

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