The Republic of Parenthood

Description

‘The perfect new baby gift, even for parents doing it a second and third time around’ Alice Vincent, author of Hark

‘Will bring comfort and courage to all its readers’  Nell Frizzell, author of  Holding the Baby

Motherhood feels as though you have woken up in Oz and everything’s in  Technicolor. But also, you’ve been crushed by a house.

Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett began writing  The Republic of Parenthood  in the final weeks of her pregnancy. The plan was to document, in real time, what it means to be a parent in Britain today. But when her son was born five weeks early, she found herself catapulted into parenthood: a world of crushing love, and fear, and hope.

Drawn from Cosslett’s agenda-setting  Guardian  column, alongside new essays and beautiful illustrations by Pia Bramley,  The Republic of Parenthood  is a fearless account of the first years of this new life. From Rachel Cusk to Anne Enright, many seminal writers have tackled the subject but, as a new generation become parents, Cosslett uses razor-sharp honesty and great humour to  explore the unique challenges they face.  

The Republic of Parenthood  wrestles with the entire joyful, overwhelming, messy experience, whether writing about the impact of Britain’s catastrophically expensive childcare system, or the quest for the pair of socks that can withstand a persistent toddler’s best efforts. At its heart is the understanding that something so entirely personal is also political; a paean to love and pain, and one that will resonate with weary parents everywhere.