A big part of being a Rules parent is getting the attitude right. Once you’ve learnt to think the right way about your children and about what you’re doing, most of the rest of it falls into place.

So this section is all about how to get the attitude that goes with being a Rules parent. Your attitude to your children and your attitude to the job of being a parent. You need to see your children in the best light in order to enjoy them as much as possible and give them the upbringing they need. If you see them as demons, or angels, or anything else negative or unrealistic, you’re going to find the next few years pretty tough.

It’s all about building the right relationship from the start so that your kids can grow and become gradually more independent, and you can get as much as they do out of it.