Sarah Ockwell-Smith
BSc Psychology, 1997
AUTHOR OF PARENTING & CHILDCARE BOOKS
“I remember my time at the University of Greenwich fondly. It provided me with a strong foundation and understanding of psychology as well as myself. The combination of these gave me a good deal of confidence going forward in my career.”
Sarah Ockwell-Smith is a well known parenting expert and popular author specialising in the psychology and science of raising children. When Prince George was born, Sky News sought her thoughts, and she’s just been on Woman’s Hour talking about babies’ sleep.
She introduced the idea of ‘gentle parenting’ – defined as bringing up children with empathy, respect, understanding and boundaries – through a series of books and a website of the same name.
Sarah’s psychology degree has underpinned her evidence-based approach to parenting. Significantly, she has reduced the guilt of thousands of parents over their children’s sleeping patterns, and shown they don’t need to leave their babies to cry themselves to sleep.
“Scientific research shows us that if you do what comes naturally and comfort your crying child, they are more likely to be settled and happy in the long term. And understanding why your child is waking in the night helps you work out a rational response.”
After graduation Sarah embarked on a five-year career in pharmaceutical research and development, working with clinical trial data, until she had her first child in 2001. She retrained as an antenatal teacher, hypnotherapist/psychotherapist and doula (someone who supports a woman through pregnancy and birth) before concentrating on writing and coaching. Today she is a regular columnist for the Huffington Post and contributes to a wide range of daily newspapers and parenting websites.
In May 2020 Sarah took part in the Virtual Alumni Showcase, answering questions from the alumni community in a special Instagram Q&A.
Sarah Ockwell-Smith
BSc Psychology, 1997
AUTHOR OF PARENTING & CHILDCARE BOOKS
“I remember my time at the University of Greenwich fondly. It provided me with a strong foundation and understanding of psychology as well as myself. The combination of these gave me a good deal of confidence going forward in my career.”
Sarah Ockwell-Smith is a well known parenting expert and popular author specialising in the psychology and science of raising children. When Prince George was born, Sky News sought her thoughts, and she’s just been on Woman’s Hour talking about babies’ sleep.
She introduced the idea of ‘gentle parenting’ – defined as bringing up children with empathy, respect, understanding and boundaries – through a series of books and a website of the same name.
Sarah’s psychology degree has underpinned her evidence-based approach to parenting. Significantly, she has reduced the guilt of thousands of parents over their children’s sleeping patterns, and shown they don’t need to leave their babies to cry themselves to sleep.
“Scientific research shows us that if you do what comes naturally and comfort your crying child, they are more likely to be settled and happy in the long term. And understanding why your child is waking in the night helps you work out a rational response.”
After graduation Sarah embarked on a five-year career in pharmaceutical research and development, working with clinical trial data, until she had her first child in 2001. She retrained as an antenatal teacher, hypnotherapist/psychotherapist and doula (someone who supports a woman through pregnancy and birth) before concentrating on writing and coaching. Today she is a regular columnist for the Huffington Post and contributes to a wide range of daily newspapers and parenting websites.
In May 2020 Sarah took part in the Virtual Alumni Showcase, answering questions from the alumni community in a special Instagram Q&A.
