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The Republic of Parenthood: On Bringing Up Babies
'The perfect new baby gift, even for parents doing it a second and third time around’ Alice Vincent, author of Hark
'Will bring comfort and courage to all its readers' Nell Frizzell, author of Holding the Baby
Motherhood feels as though you have woken up in Oz and everything’s in Technicolor. But also, you’ve been crushed by a house.
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett began writing The Republic of Parenthood in the final weeks of her pregnancy. The plan was to document, in real time, what it means to be a parent in Britain today. But when her son was born five weeks early, she found herself catapulted into a world of crushing love, and fear, and hope.
Drawn from Cosslett’s agenda-setting Guardian column, alongside new essays and beautiful illustrations by Pia Bramley, The Republic of Parenthood is a fearless account of the first years of this new life. From Rachel Cusk to Anne Enright, many seminal writers have tackled the subject but, as a new generation become parents, Cosslett uses razor-sharp honesty and great humour to explore the unique challenges they face.
The Republic of Parenthood wrestles with the entire joyful, overwhelming, messy experience, whether writing about the impact of Britain’s catastrophically expensive childcare system, or the quest for the pair of socks that can withstand a persistent toddler's best efforts. At its heart is the understanding that something so entirely personal is also political; a paean to love and pain, and one that will resonate with weary parents everywhere.
'Will bring comfort and courage to all its readers' Nell Frizzell, author of Holding the Baby
Motherhood feels as though you have woken up in Oz and everything’s in Technicolor. But also, you’ve been crushed by a house.
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett began writing The Republic of Parenthood in the final weeks of her pregnancy. The plan was to document, in real time, what it means to be a parent in Britain today. But when her son was born five weeks early, she found herself catapulted into a world of crushing love, and fear, and hope.
Drawn from Cosslett’s agenda-setting Guardian column, alongside new essays and beautiful illustrations by Pia Bramley, The Republic of Parenthood is a fearless account of the first years of this new life. From Rachel Cusk to Anne Enright, many seminal writers have tackled the subject but, as a new generation become parents, Cosslett uses razor-sharp honesty and great humour to explore the unique challenges they face.
The Republic of Parenthood wrestles with the entire joyful, overwhelming, messy experience, whether writing about the impact of Britain’s catastrophically expensive childcare system, or the quest for the pair of socks that can withstand a persistent toddler's best efforts. At its heart is the understanding that something so entirely personal is also political; a paean to love and pain, and one that will resonate with weary parents everywhere.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2025
About the author
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
6 books34 followersRhiannon Lucy Cosslett is a columnist, feature writer and editor for The Guardian newspaper. She is the author of two novels, one memoir, and a collection of her parenthood writing.
She was born in Islington, grew up in Wales, spent time living in France and Italy, and has now returned to her birthplace, where she lives with her husband, son, and Mackerel, her cat.
She was born in Islington, grew up in Wales, spent time living in France and Italy, and has now returned to her birthplace, where she lives with her husband, son, and Mackerel, her cat.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 15, 2026
I wish the essays had been longer, tighter explorations. As it was, I felt like there was a tendency towards the superficial, without ever really delving deeper into many of the issues she paid lip-service to. Much of the more insightful analysis was quoted verbatim from academic articles, cited strictly on a one-per-essay basis, so there was never any engagement with a wider range of viewpoints. It was exhausting; I felt like I was being forced to skate from one topic to the next without a moment's pause for real reflection. (Maybe that sums up being a new parent, to be fair?)
My favourite parts were the lists of what worked for her when parenting versus what didn't.
My favourite parts were the lists of what worked for her when parenting versus what didn't.
February 9, 2026
Big fan. Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett writes about parenthood just like it is, in such a realistic and honest way. The introduction alone made me laugh, nod in agreement and want to cry because it was so relatable. What really resonated with me was when Cosslett wrote that all this modern overload of information online and unsolicited information coming from everywhere makes new mothers not follow and/or trust their instincts - ouch, so true and horrible. This book is full of great stuff, powerful stuff but it’s also hopeful and non judgmental. I must’ve dog-eared every other page! I can’t recommend it enough to any other parent or parent to be, especially who - like me - lives in Britain. So, so good.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews