KATE’S 5 PARENTING GOLDEN RULES

From her new book There’s No Such Thing As ‘Naughty’

PLAY Science shows us that when we interact with our children (switching off devices), we help lay great foundations for their future mental health.

NEVER LABEL We cannot expect our children to behave well if we constantly undermine them and call them names. Labels stick – and sting .If need be, label the behaviour, not the child. ‘Unkind behaviour’, never an ‘unkind child’.

BE SILLY Children love nonsense and fun – it can provide a wonderful release if you are in an overwhelming situation. A silly distraction during a public tantrum can work wonders. Plus making them laugh releases ‘feelgood’ hormones as well as being incredibly bonding (and de-stressing for parents too).

LISTEN Little ones often act out how they feel because they don’t have the words to explain themselves. Ensure children feel listened to and heard and you will help grow a strong bond.

STAY CALM Aim to navigate any behaviour calmly and in context. Tantrums are often the result of a child’s stress response – it’s not personal. It’s our job as parents to share our calm and not add to the chaos.

had their pictures taken a decade before. It’s a pretty impressive achievement to be able to wear your wedding dress ten years later… ‘I did get really fit last year,’ she laughs. ‘I was putting on Tracy Anderson DVDS and bouncing around on my trampoline, cycling and swimming and thinking, this is great, because I was really shaping up. Then I had a bunionectomy and now I can’t do any of that, so I’ve got my Spanx on for the photo shoot today and walking has become my new heaven. We’ve got a puppy and I walk him for an hour every day. It’s just me and the dog in the woods, and that’s my time.’

With her work schedule showing no signs of easing, it seems an hour a day of ‘me time’ is about as good as Kate’s going to get for the foreseeable future.

Kate’s book There’s No Such Thing As ‘Naughty’: The Groundbreaking Guide for Parents With Children Aged 0-5 is published by Piatkus, price £14.99*