WHAT MATTERS? is about companionable life at home with babies and small children, using belonging and behaviour together for resilient wellbeing and mental health.
WHAT MATTERS? is about companionable life at home with babies and small children, using belonging and behaviour together for resilient wellbeing and mental health.
Grandparenting, Mental health, Motherhood
WHAT MATTERS? is a small book about a big subject: the long-term health and happiness of babies, young children, and their companions at home. Based on research evidence, it raises questions about what matters for all concerned. Not only parents but also grandparents, other family members, friends, and neighbours may be childcarers at home these days. WHAT MATTERS? describes a financially manageable and practical approach, with babies and young children centre stage. It explains the link between belonging and behaviour, illuminates how children learn, and suggests many companionable activities with babies and children, involving minimal expenditure. There is a focus on adults' wellbeing, especially for mothers during the first year, while looking ahead at the common ground between toddlers and teenagers. WHAT MATTERS? can make life easier for everyone, contributing to families’ long-term mental health and happiness.
Click on the circles below to see more reviews
A great book and easy to read for busy parents. Yes, I imagine there may well be an appetite for this in public health settings, although it is hard to gauge and maybe something that is taken up at local levels. When its published, I would be more than happy to put a link to it out in our Newsletter which goes out to parent-infant services across the UK“ ~ Wook Hamilton CEO, Parent-Infant Foundation https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk
Clear but gentle and reassuring - this book will help with the best but toughest job in the world – being a ‘good enough’ parent. ~ Dr Sally Smith, CEO, peeple
In this elegantly written and helpful book, Rosemary Roberts smuggles in a lifetime’s experience and scholarship of early childhood learning and development while making it both accessible and reassuring. She offers wise companionship to help carers think about how to be good companions to babies and young children, without neglecting themselves. It’s the quality of relationship which matters. This book is indispensable for anyone spending time with babies and young children to understand better what’s going on in the everyday experience. ~ Chris Mowles, Professor of Complexity and Management, University of Hertfordshire.
I think this small book fills a significant gap in literature for parents, especially first-time parents. I love the writing and book structure – both are pitch perfect. Plain English without jargon is hard to do for those with academic qualifications. ~ Dr Anne Meade, Independent Education Consultant, New Zealand:
I really enjoyed this book …… it was a good easy read with some helpful insights for a first time Mum. ~ Expectant mum, 25 weeks pregnant with her first baby.
I think all of this is a really helpful reminder …… the mindset required for parenting, with a side order of reassurance. ~ Father, with baby of 3 months
This is a very helpful and useful book for new parents/companions. I like how short and concise it is – very beneficial for frayed attention spans! ~ Mother with a toddler
It certainly had me thinking – oh for a chance to do it all again with What Matters? by my side! ~ Prospective grandparent
I liked it very much. It would help anyone who has dealings with children of every age to think about things from a different angle. So much information out there about what you should DO. This shows us what we could BE. ~ Grandparent, grandchildren of 12, 7 and 4
