Mother of three Cheryl Critchley, who refuses to let theparenting industry run her life, is on a mission to de-clutter parenthood and bring back the basics. Today'sparents are time-poor and confused. We are literallydrowning in paraphernalia, from programs teaching babiesto read to professional party planners for five-year-olds. We have lost confidence and become paranoid,wrapping kids in cotton wool and spoiling them rotten.Cheryl says it's time to slow down, relax (yes relax!),keep it simple and take charge. Parents need permissionto ignore the guilt-trip laid on by marketers pushing$1500 prams and overpriced private schools. They needgood, basic advice on how to host a great party withoutspending a fortune, whether your child is ready forschool and what to tell teenagers about drugs. They alsoneed to be wary of kids growing up too fast and becomingslave to the range of new technologies taking over theirlives.

With expert tips and straight talking advice, inthe style that has made Cheryl's Parent Trap column inthe Herald Sun so popular, you can unspoil your kids andtruly enjoy life with them. It's not too late!.