Book Review: Inspired Parenting, by Dorka Herner

Dorka Herner is a Hungarian psychologist and mother of five, and this is her book of reflections on motherhood. Divided into six chapters, such as “Reshaping the patterns that shape us,” it seems to be intended as a tool for learning or developing the reader’s own parenting; however it really is just a series of daily writings, from funny little aphorisms about saying a nursery rhyme and realising it is intended as a tool of mind control; to longer vignettes about her twins getting into a good school. Nothing in the book asks the reader to consider how it relates to them, or to reflect on its meaning. It doesn’t advocate a particular style of parenting, or offer advice on any of the many challenges described – just tells you about them.

Inspired Parenting may offer some insight into someone else’s parenting, and it’s always useful to try to understand how other people live. It’s a pleasant book to dip into now and then.

[Disclosure: I was sent a review copy of Inspired Parenting by the publisher. You can get a copy here, with a 10% discount using the code SPROGCAST at the checkout.]