Coping with Early Parenting
The Magic and Mess of the First Few Years
Published on 25. May 2026
316 pages
978-1-040-61888-2 (ISBN)
Description
This book is a supportive guide for parents in the early years, empowering readers to make informed choices about parenting, tailored to their own family. Written by a clinical psychologist with personal experience of early parenthood, the book blends an honest account of the challenges faced by the modern parent with an understanding of child development and what babies and children need to thrive.
Helping parents to feel more confident about their parenting, more excited about getting to know their unique child, and more inspired to tune in to their own experiences, needs and values, the book explores topics such as:
the structure and development of the brain
the importance of self-care and how to integrate it into real life as a parent
two central theories informing parenting today: attachment and behaviourism
practical ideas to support children with their feelings, help them make sense of their experiences and nurture them through play
"good enough" parenting and how it supports resilience
Parents will be supported to enjoy their child and feel good about their parenting, even when things are messy and imperfect.
Informative, accessible, and deeply compassionate, this is essential reading for anyone navigating or preparing for early parenting. It is also a useful resource for anyone providing support to families during this important developmental period.
Helping parents to feel more confident about their parenting, more excited about getting to know their unique child, and more inspired to tune in to their own experiences, needs and values, the book explores topics such as:
the structure and development of the brain
the importance of self-care and how to integrate it into real life as a parent
two central theories informing parenting today: attachment and behaviourism
practical ideas to support children with their feelings, help them make sense of their experiences and nurture them through play
"good enough" parenting and how it supports resilience
Parents will be supported to enjoy their child and feel good about their parenting, even when things are messy and imperfect.
Informative, accessible, and deeply compassionate, this is essential reading for anyone navigating or preparing for early parenting. It is also a useful resource for anyone providing support to families during this important developmental period.
Reviews / Votes
'A beautifully honest and grounding guide for new parents. Rooted in evidence and empathy, it invites us to care for ourselves as we learn to care for our children.'Dr Emma Svanberg, Clinical Psychologist and Author of Parenting for Humans
'Coping with Early Parenting is an insightful and empowering guide for parents. Hannah draws on psychological research and therapeutic approaches to offer compassionate tools that help parents meet the challenges of family life and savour the tender moments. She captures the real complexities of parenting, while encouraging readers to tune out cultural pressures and instead trust themselves as the true experts on their child. This book is a wise and supportive companion for anyone wanting to feel more resourced and understood on their parenting journey.'
Dr Caroline Boyd, Parenting Clinical Psychologist and Author
'Coping with Early Parenting: The Magic and Mess of the First Few Years is a beautifully written blend of science, lived experience, and deep compassion. It invites parents to reflect on their own upbringing and how it shapes their relationships and parenting journey today, while offering warmth, understanding, and practical insight. A book I wish I'd had when I first became a parent. This book reminds us that good parenting isn't about perfection, but about connection, curiosity, and repair. A truly empowering and reassuring read for every parent.'
Dr Jade Redfern, Clinical Psychologist, Founder of Inside Out Parenting and Permission To Be Human
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Product notice
Reflowable
Illustrations
1 Tables, black and white; 13 Line drawings, black and white; 13 Illustrations, black and white
File size
3,66 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-61888-2 (9781040618882)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
05/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€207.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
05/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€31.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Dr Hannah Guzinska is a Clinical Psychologist with a special interest in the well-being of babies and very young children and their parents. With extensive experience in working with families, she currently mainly supports practitioners, offering training, consultation, supervision, and reflective practice. She is a passionate advocate for providing emotional containment, co-regulation and compassion to family practitioners, and for helping them make sense of difficult experiences, to create a culture of support which filters down to parents and their babies and children.
Content
Introduction 1. My Parenting Journey Part 1: The Big Picture 2. Parenting in Context 3. The Baby's Developing Brain 4. The Adult Brain and the Stress Response Part 2: Taking Meaningful Care of Yourself as a Parent 5. Realistic Self-care 6. Meaningful Self-Care Part 3: The Science of Parenting 7. Behaviourism 8. Learning through Relationships Part 4: Getting Practical 9. Seeing the World Through Your Child's Eyes 10. Managing Big Feelings 11. Playful Parenting Part 5: You Do You 12. What Matters to You? 13. Getting to Know Your Baby Part 6: Embracing the Mess 14. Rupture, Repair and Resilience 15. A Compassionate Approach to Parenting Differences Epilogue: Parenting is Messy
