Lessons from a Default Parent - Surviving the Frontline of Family Life (From a Woman on the Edge)

What nobody tells you about parenthood, from one of the 'silent partners' behind the Parenting Hell podcast. School-run coordinator, party planner, clubs organiser, laundry sorter... and maybe even a 'real' job on top! Sound exhaustingly familiar? From assumptions surrounding who is staying home with the kids to the never-ending list of 'school' admin, being 'the default parent' rears its head in a plethora of ways. So this book is for all the defaults out there - bored out of their eyeballs or so overwhelmed they could scream expletives into the wind for a solid hour - to know their invisible labour is seen, valued, and can even sometimes be rebalanced. With heartfelt and hilarious advice, Lou Beckett provides much-needed comfort and community for the one who is depended on the most (and often feels appreciated the least), and maybe - just maybe - how we can begin to muddle through a little better, together.

About the author

Lou Beckett is a mother of two, ex-secondary school teacher and wife to Rob Beckett. The (mostly) silent participant of the incredibly successful Parenting Hell podcast (spoken about not to except for the occasional "right to reply" episodes), she can speak about the similarly 'silent' issues: default parenting, emotional labour and managing the mental load of parenthood.

Her popular and well-read blog post 'A very long whinge' prompted many 'me too' moments from fellow parents and gained 56,000 views almost overnight and 116,600 impressions on Instagram.

Product details

• Authors: Lou Beckett
• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 12.02.2026
• EAN: 9780241762912
• ISBN: 978-0-241-76291-2
• No. of pages: 320
• Subjects: Guides > Self-help, everyday life > Partnership, sexuality; SELF-HELP / General, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / General, Memoirs, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Parenting / General, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Parenting / Fatherhood, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Parenting / Motherhood, Self-help & personal development, Family psychology, Family & relationships, Advice on parenting, Radio / Podcasts, Self-help, personal development and practical advice, Parenting: advice and issues, Relationships and families: advice and issues, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Parenting / Co-Parenting