How Not to Raise a Perfect Child

A perfect child: * Dresses neatly and practises the violin before breakfast * Comes top of the class and is captain of everything * Is unfailingly obedient and sweet-tempered * Is a perfect credit to its perfect mother A real child: * Prefers shoelaces undone and mismatched socks * Shouts 'Bum!' at Granny * Turns breakfast and bedtime into a battleground * Is the normal offspring of imperfect parents With affectionate lack of illusion and a refreshing honesty about her own shortcomings, Libby Purves examines the pleasures and pitfalls of raising children from three to eight years old. Playgroup, starting school, rude words, pets - all these topics are tackled with frank good humour and down-to-earth advice. Best of all is her reassuring reminder that there is no such thing as a perfect child.