Lou Beckett takes us through parenting in those early days. How the default parent takes on so many roles and deals with whatever is thrown at them. Lots of advice and humour to navigate this momentous time. This was such a good and relatable read. Its funny and heartwarming. As a parent and former default it just spoke to me so much. Its honest and open about life with children and the strain it puts on you as a parent and partner. The humour keeps it from becoming self help and makes it fun and engaging. I also enjoyed the section towards the back with Rob's input. It shows their teamwork and love. A must for any default parent

'Lessons from a Default Parent' explores the emotional, mental and practical load carried by the parent who becomes the family's default carer. Lou Beckett examines how this role is formed, why it persists, and how recognizing it can open the door to healthier, more balanced family conversations. I really enjoyed the book and found much of it relatable even though I had my children some thirty to forty years ago. Then societal expectations were very clear: babies and children were very much the mother's domain. It was refreshing to read how the thoughts so many of us quietly held back are now being named, examined and becoming part of open, healthy discussions between default and non default parents. There are plenty of suggestions about broaching this subject if these conversations aren't currently being held, or they are but you don't feel heard. The book is written with honesty and humour, offering genuine validation of the conflicting feelings most default parents experience. Lou Beckett perfectly captures the emotional rollercoaster of loving our children to the moon and back while still longing for those halcyon days of uninterrupted sleep and 'me' time. My one slight criticism is that it can feel a little repetitive in places, with some themes revisited more often than needed. However, the overall message remains strong and worthwhile.