Hunt, Gather, Parent

Author: Michaeleen Doucleff

Genre: Nonfiction, Social Science, Personal Development

Pages: 352

Star Rating = 5.0 Highly Recommend

A book for all Mums out there! Truly a great read for mothers. This is not a parenting book but a book of great advice! I went into reading with an open mind. I wasn’t looking for answers about a topic but was highly interested to get a basic understanding of how other cultures raise children. I think in America we place a high amount of stress on mothers to be a ‘perfect’ Mum (Whatever that means). As social media is a great tool for sharing it also can make you question if you are doing this whole parenting thing correctly.

Michaeleen Doucleff travels to different parts of the world to experience parenting in new cultures. She is a journalist and struggling mother herself with a 3 year old toddler. As she travels through each culture she learns a solid nugget of information that speaks volumes when raising children. The information might be blankly obvious but great to hear how others handle a similar situations across cultures. Doucleff tells her story as she takes her child on for the ride. She is interviewing and working with her toddler right next to her and she experiences other parents giving her hands on advice. Some advice topics were tantrums, helpful kind toddlers and enjoying being a parent.

What makes this book fantastic how it has changed the way I think of parenting now. Here are a few examples of how this book has changed my thoughts around parenting.

I am a type of person that is all in or all out. Once I had my baby I thought my entire life is that child which it is but that doesn’t mean my life has died. I thought for every second that she is awake I needed to entertain her, I need to give her activities, I need to do whatever good parents did to make good people. After reading this book, the author has taught me that our children don’t necessarily need to be entertained 24/7 they just want to be with us. If you love hiking then go hiking! Don’t think, “my toddler will hate it, I don’t want to take them because it’s not an activity that they want to do”. No, don’t think like that! Take them on that hike. Yes it is different but they will love it because they are with you. You do you and tag your children along.

Another solid nugget of information that I thought was helpful was reducing micro managing your child. Every time I am with my child I find myself always saying “hey! No! Don’t do it like that” And I thought I was helping but Doucleff taught me to take a step back and allow your child to experience things on their own! (Like hello! Who likes to be told what to do all the time) And I am talking about in safe environments not dangerous ones. For example, if they want to fold the clothes for you, let them! Even if it's done so wrong don’t interfere just let them. You can show them, guide them without feedback.

Another key piece of information that I loved was teaching your children to help out early! When you need to clean the house have them clean the house with you. Toddlers are little helpers and if you want them to help just involve them! Even if they make a bigger mess. For example, I clean the floors every week and once my toddler saw what I was doing she wanted to help. I gave her the mop and she was making a huge mess but overtime as I guided her, she wants to help every Sunday with me. If I told her she was doing it wrong or never involved her she might not want to ever help.  We can help install this value of cleaning in their brain and they will want to do it years leading.

Again, so much great information from this book. If you are a mum and want to read in on what other cultures do with their crazy toddler tantrums or how to raise helpful children this book is a good one! I highly recommend to all mums!