The Equal Parent

How Sharing the Load Helps the Whole Family Thrive

By: Paul Morgan-Bentley

Narrated by: Paul Morgan-Bentley

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

"All parents and would-be parents should read this book. It will change their lives." (Mary Ann Sieghart, journalist and best-selling author of The Authority Gap)

A myth-busting must-listen about creating parenting equality for fans of Caitlin Moran, The Danish Way of Parenting, and The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read.

• Why do mothers wake first when their baby cries at night?
• Why do fathers take so little time off work to bond with their newborn babies?
• Why are mothers never praised for being "hands on"?
• Is there a biological difference in mothers’ and fathers’ parenting instincts?
• Why do nurseries and schools often call mothers first when there is a problem?
• Why don’t we expect fathers to have a more active role in caring for their children?

As a new father and head of investigations at The Times, Paul Morgan-Bentley found himself lying awake in bed one night after settling his three-month-old back to sleep. With all these questions buzzing in his mind, he decided to go a mission to answer them.

Drawing on his own personal experience of fatherhood–from the utter joy to the sometimes overwhelming panic Paul and his husband felt caring for their newborn son, to the chemist who calls Paul "MummyDaddy" and the juggle of nursery pickups with work deadlines, Paul delves into what it really means to share the parental load.

With a range of case studies, research from around the world, and conversations with leading scientists, The Equal Parent explores the truths behind the falsehoods about parenting roles–and why challenging these myths to achieve parenting equality will benefit all of us: mothers, fathers and, most importantly, our children.

"With rigorous research and compelling personal insight, The Equal Parent is an essential interrogation of the inequities of modern parenting. This book will change the way you see your family." (Leah Hazzard, Sunday Times best-selling author of Womb)

"The Equal Parent is an important book–an antidote to the many misconceptions surrounding parenthood. Thoughtful and encouraging, it is an inspiring look at how parenting can be." (Catherine Cho, author of Inferno: A Memoir of Motherhood and Madness)

"An incredible book on parenthood." (Ziauddin Yousafzai)

"A really valuable book, written with great insight and warmth." (Brian Viner, author and critic)

©2023 Paul Morgan-Bentley (P)2023 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Essential reading for all new parents

An incredibly accessible, well written assessment on the state of gender relations in families in the UK. Essential reading for all parents to be and new parents. This book is helping us set up for success as we await our first baby.

So insightful and relatable

Really well written book that i can relate to in so many ways. I think it is so important for each parent to have alone time with the children to learn about their way of doing things.

I was very lucky to take 3 months off work for each of my children and it was so invaluable. We definitely need to do more to breakdown the stereotype of “the dad’s role”. We are so different to how my parents’ generation parented in a very positive way and long may that continue!

Fantastic read!

fantastic insight for all those supporting parents

A well written, and delivered book exploring the equalities and inequalities surrounding parenting. informative, warm and relatable. A must read for those working with/supporting/about to become parents. (social worker, previous perinatal worker, and parent)

I wish this was out when I first became a parent!

Such a great audiobook, full of personal stories, really interesting research and great interviews. I loved the part with Malala’s dad. I raced through it and learned so much. I’ve already recommended it to so many friends!