Lockdown Parenting Fails explored in hilarious new book

Brighton author Nathan Joyce explores Lockdown Parenting Fails in his new book (Welbeck Publishing Group, available from Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith, Hive.co.uk, Wordery).
Nathan JoyceNathan Joyce
Nathan Joyce

Nathan, aged 38, said: “I wanted to try and find the funny side of lockdown and drew upon my own experience as a new dad flailing around trying to cope with the unique challenges that the pandemic has brought with it.

“I discovered Twitter during lockdown, a mere 14 years late, and found that there were some very funny people out there sharing their experiences of home-schooling horror-shows, baking (mistakes) and working-from-home fails.

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“It made me feel a lot better reading their stories, and I thought it would be a great idea to compile 250 of the funniest Tweets from around the world, mixed with my own experiences.

“I think it appeals to people because so many of us have been there, with work calls interrupted by kids shouting “Daddy’s boring!”, being rumbled hoovering up a Wispa in the toilet while trying to catch a moment’s peace, managing to lock yourselves out during the clap for carers or entering the lounge to find that the kids have managed to write ‘Thank you Hoes’ instead of ‘Thank you Heroes’ on the front window.

“We’ve all realised how difficult a job teaching one kid is, let alone a class full. And how hairdressers managed to cut hair and talk to you without chopping people’s ears off is beyond me.

“I write these kinds of books, and I’m always looking for a good idea to make people laugh. I’m not a doctor, a firefighter or a teacher, but what I can do is put together silly books to make people smile.

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“It’s aimed at parents of kids of all ages, all of whom will identify with many of the experiences in this book!

“It’s probably a standalone book, but it’s possible there might be a sequel if there’s another lockdown. I could probably write a second book entirely filled with my own Lockdown Parenting Fails!

“I’ve written ten humour and puzzle books in the last four years, and this was one of my favourites to put together.

“The one that I probably enjoyed coming up with and writing the most, just because I’m such a huge fan of the subject, is The David Attenborough Activity Book. It’s been a huge hit during lockdown because so many more people are at home looking for ways to entertain themselves and their kids. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love Attenborough! The Royal Geographical Society Puzzle Book and The Big Book of Trump were also great fun to write.

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“I used to be a book editor at Bloomsbury (the folks who published Harry Potter) in London and moved down to Brighton after falling in love with the Lanes on day trips. I quit my job in London to retrain as a secondary school history teacher and started a masters at Sussex Uni in modern history.

“I funded the course by taking on freelance editorial work, and during that time, I was asked to write my first book – A History of Insults. After that, people kept asking me to write books so somehow it became my full-time job!

“I didn’t expect things to turn out this way, but I love what I do, so it’s worked out well.”

Lockdown Parenting Fails compiled by Nathan Joyce is published by Welbeck, priced £9.99 in hardback.

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