We'd read this book if we weren't too busy being idle. Actually The Idle Parent by Tom Hodgkinson hasn't been published in the US yet, but we did read a few excerpts on Slate and are finding ourselves attracted to the idle parenting style he advocates.
One excerpt titled "Don't take your kids to amusement parks or museums" proposes a ban on the ritualistic weekend family outing filled with the hassles of coralling the kids and their belongings only to spend the day in long lines at "shoddy" museum exhibits (he also details many more of the indignities of his family outings).
This is not the idle way. The truly idle delight, instead, in staying at home. Rather than the passive entertainment that he thinks most outings offer now his family relaxes, cooks together and just plain find things to do at home. Sure, this doesn't sound revolutionary. Plenty of families are more inclined to spend quality time together at home, but we think he's really advising parents to just relax, enjoy the moment, and stop overscheduling their families.
For someone who espouses idleness, Mr. Hodgkinson sure has written a slew of books: How To Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto, The Book of Idle Pleasures, The Idler's Diary and many others. You can read more about The Idle Parent here. Excerpts can be found on Slate.
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i'm a fan.
view BuddhaBellysMum's profile
Too bad his "message" is inconsistent and contradictory. Reject health and safety guidelines and embrace responsibility...for what? Hospital trips? Some of his comments are funny, his attitude unapologetic. OK. Check. I'd like this guy to come over to my house please!
view stickyricemama's profile
i like it.
view k8theriver's profile
I think the general message is to lighten up. Enjoy there here and now and not be so focused on every little thing. The list may seem contradictory to some. I can understand why. But he raises and interesting point. From it, I can see myself stepping back, taking a deep breathe and letting go a little. I think if you do, you actually may have a better grasp.
I like it.
view annaland's profile
From it, I can see myself stepping back, taking a deep breathe and letting go a little. I think if you do, you actually may have a better grasp.
Thanks, I already grasped his "message." I have been a full-time mom for almost three years and take every hour at a time. ;-)
view stickyricemama's profile