Manchester residents help devise parenting advice book

Manchester residents figure strongly in a book on parenting advice produced by Manchester City Council.

Manchester's Little Book of Great Parenting contains a selection of tips from residents after the council received around 700 suggestions from over 300 respondents following a public appeal for help earlier this year as part of the city's annual 100 Days Manchester Challenge.

Mums, dads, grandparents, carers and children were all asked to send in their top tips for the new book, available now from the council's Children's Information Service on freephone 0800 083 7921 (Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm.)

There are ten top tips amplified by suggestions sent in by residents, the top tip being giving love and affection. A south Manchester resident writes: "Don't shower your child in material things because at the end of the day it means nothing. Support, friendship and love are the key thing to being a great parent."

On giving a child time, attention and praise, a Gorton parent writes: "Give your child quality time from the word go. They will grow up with confidence, believing they can achieve anything, because they feel loved, appreciated and accepted."

The council is a government trailblazer on parenting and the new book is the latest development in its city-wide parenting initiative. A section in the book outlines the city's parenting strategy.

The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "Being a parent is perhaps one of the most challenging roles in life and we recognise that we must do everything possible to provide help and advice.

"The great thing about this book is that it contains tips from Manchester residents that actually work. We know that we have many fantastic parents in the city but there are those who need support or simply some advice. We hope this book will help meet that need."

The book is also available on the council's website, www.manchester.gov.uk (accessed under 'parenting' via the general A-Z search.)

Media contact:

Jane Lemon, tel: 0161 234 3179