Manifesto of the Idle Parent

One of my favorite parenting books that I read last year was more of an anti-parenting book: The Idle Parent, by Tom Hodgkinson. He includes this rather snappy manifesto that will give you a pretty good feel for the tone of the book. This is probably going to go up on my fridge or near the family calendar.

THE MANIFESTO

1. We reject the idea that parenting requires hard work.
2. We pledge to leave our children alone.
3. We reject the rampant consumerism that invades children’s lives from the moment they are born.
4. We read them poetry and fantastic stories without morals.
5. We drink alcohol without guilt.
6. We reject the inner Puritan.
7. We don’t waste money on family days out and holidays.¹
8. An idle parent is a thrifty parent.
9. An idle parent is a creative parent.
10. We lie in bed for as long as possible.
11. We try not to interfere.
12. We play in the fields and forests.
13. We push them into the garden and shut the door so we can clean the house.
14. We both work as little as possible, particularly when the kids are small. ²
15. Time is more important than money.
16. Happy mess is better than miserable tidiness.
17. Down with school.
18. We fill the house with music and merriment.
19. We reject health and safety guidelines.
20. We embrace responsibility.
21. There are many paths.