Editorial

Bringing in awareness and compassion to explore perfectionism, judgment, and burnout with parents 
Dr. Cynthia A. Frosch from the Department of Human Development and Family Science, Auburn University in the USA and Dr. Marissa L. Diener from the Department of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah question whether the pursuit of ‘perfect parenting’ is damaging parents’ and children’s wellbeing. 

The realities of Gentle Parenting: A psychological perspective 
Dr Lucy Gore, Clinical Psychologist, challenges Gentle Parenting, asking
whether its principles are realistic in everyday parenting and may even be harmful. 

Surrogacy is for life: What makes a good start? 
Following the publication in April, 2023, of the IJBPE supplement, ‘Care in surrogacy: Practice, ethics and regulations’, Dr Marilyn Crawshaw, Honorary Fellow, University of York, proposes further debate and reflection on some of the key issues affecting the wellbeing of surrogate-born infants and their families across their lifespan.

Articles

Autism and parenthood: How can autistic parents best be supported during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period? 
Sarah Hampton, Research Fellow, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK outlines the growing evidence base concerning the experiences of autistic birthing parents and outlines recommendations for adjustments to clinical practice. 

From prescription to collaboration: Dialogues with Parents 
Ana Teresa Brito, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal and Brazelton Gomes-Pedro Foundation for Baby and Family Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal propose a paradigm shift in intervention with families: from prescription to collaboration; from objectivity to empathy; from linear to multi-dimensional and systemic understanding of development; from inflexible professional boundaries to flexible ones. 

Parenting styles – past, present and future
Mary Nolan, IJBPE UK Co-Editor; Emerita Professor of Perinatal Education, University of Worcester, UK explores the century-old debate about parenting styles, and in particular the contribution made by Diane Baumrind, and Eleanor Maccaby and John Martin. It concludes by noting that the latest research in parenting styles suggests that authoritative parenting may not be the unquestioned ‘best’ style and that the debate about how best to parent children is moving in a new direction. 

Grandparents and non-custodial child care: Joys and difficulties 
Susan M. Moore, Emeritus Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences, Winburne University of Technology, Australia  and Doreen A Rosenthal, Emeritus Professor, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia present a discussion of the roles that non-custodial grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren, and the stresses and difficulties they experience in undertaking these roles.

What happens in early childhood never stays in early childhood 
Dr Jonathan Sher an IJBPE Contributing Editor; Founding Partner in Scotland’s Coalition for Healthier Pregnancies, Better Lives; and Affiliate Professor, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, Australia. Based in Edinburgh, on the importance of preconception health and parenting support.

Regular Features

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