But Why?: How to Answer Tricky Questions from Kids and Have an Honest Conversation with Yourself
By Clemmie Telford

But Why? aims to help you tackle those awkward questions that can floor the best of us. Imagine the scene: you're trying to put the kids to bed, your brain has checked out for the day and suddenly, from nowhere, all manner of unrelated, but potentially important, questions are flung into the night-time routine as you're trying to get them to brush their teeth properly: * But why are humans ruining the planet? * But why don't boys wear dresses? * But why do people get married? * But why do we have feelings? * But why can't I look like everyone else? * But why do you have to work? With a foreword by leading psychotherapist Anna Mathur (author of Mind Over Mother) this book is informed by a huge, varied body of research. Including conversations with experts via Clemmie's popular 'Honestly' podcast, the insight of 300-plus contributors to her blog 'Mother of All Lists', bravely sharing first-hand accounts, and, of course, Clemmie's own experience as a mother of three. It can't promise definitive answers, but it will give you a wealth of ideas to draw upon, along with tips on how to explore the topics mindfully, pointers on where to seek more information and, perhaps most importantly, a reminder of what you absolutely should avoid saying to your kids even if you're knackered or have been caught off-guard. Clemmie describes this book as an 'existential crisis' which found her challenging everything she thought she knew about everything (but in a good way). 'I hope the book will act as a catalyst for our own thoughts on a range of subjects, giving us the opportunity to have honest conversations with ourselves about important topics such as race, gender, sexuality, politics and religion.'