The Idle Parent

THE MANIFESTO OF THE IDLE PARENT


We reject the idea that parenting requires hard work
We pledge to leave our children alone
We reject the rampant consumerism that invades children from the moment they are born
We read them poetry and fantastic stories without morals
We drink alcohol without guilt
We reject the inner Puritan
We don’t waste money on family days out and holidays
An idle parent is a thrifty parent
An idle parent is a creative parent
We lie in bed for as long as possible
We try not to interfere
We play in the fields and forests
We push them into the garden and shut the door so we can clean the house
We both work as little as possible, particularly when the kids are small
Time is more important than money
Happy mess is better than miserable tidiness
Down with school
We fill the house with music and merriment
We reject health and safety guidelines
We embrace responsibility
There are many paths
More play, less work

 
idle parents

Books

idler 41 qi

The Idle Parent

Order Now. Published 5th March. "Wise, funny, practical and personal, The Idle Parent puts the fun back into parenting." Oliver James
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idler 42 Smash the system

Idler 42: Smash the System

The new 350 page Idler, a collection of radical essays by Alain De Botton, Penny Rimbaud, John Mitchinson, Jay Griffiths, Paul Kingsnorth, Oliver James. Published 17 June 2009. Pre-order now for £18.99.
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idler 41 qi

The Idler's Diary 2009

With recipes, drawings, arcana, poems and other pearls of wisdom - the "Idler Diary" will help you gently float down river in 2009.
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book of idle pleasures

The Book of Idle Pleasures

A sumptuous compendium of one hundred pleasures, each lovingly described and illustrated.
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how to be free

How to be Free by Tom Hodgkinson

"Packed with wit, anecdotes and ideas ..." Word Magazine
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how to be idle

How to be Idle by Tom Hodgkinson

Take control of your life and reclaim your right to be idle.
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i fought the law

I Fought the Law by Dan Kieran

"Very funny...should be at the top of Tony Blair's reading list." The Times
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how to fish

How to Fish by Chris Yates

Recommended to anyone interested in either angling or doing nothing.
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cloudspotter's guide

The Cloudspotter's Guide by Gavin Pretor-Pinney

"Read this eye-opening and amusingly written book" Daily Mail
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