Penelope Leach’s new book Family Breakdown is horrible
Pre-school children whose parents are separated should not be allowed to spend the night with their fathers, said a top parenting expert.Psychologist Penelope Leach, whose books have sold millions, accused couples who have split up and arrange sleepovers of putting their own rights ahead of their children’s. The fact is that overnight stays with fathers from as early an age as possible are crucial if children are to form strong attachments with both parents. Her advice went against ‘common sense’ and that ‘the bond between fathers and children is just as important.
Until now, Ms Leach has been best-known for her bestselling book Your Baby & Child: From Birth to Age Five, published in 1977. It caused intense controversy by arguing that only mothers can care adequately for their children and that the paternal role is of only secondary importance.
Psychologist Penelope Leach has said that generally children of separated couples aged four and under should not be parted from their mother to have a sleepover with their father. In her new book, Family Breakdown, the former president of the National Childminding Association highlights the damage that separating parents can have on even a young baby. Her argument that society treats access to children as ‘a right’ rather than focusing on the interests of the child is dead wrong. Society and especially the family court looks at the best interest of the child- without exception.
