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Dr Mary O'Kane : Perfectly Imperfect Parenting

@drmaryokane

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Lecturer in Psychology and Education
📚 Perfectly Imperfect Parenting | Anxious Children in an Anxious World
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This was supposed to be a post about the Sunday Times bestseller list. But events of the past week or so have changed it into a post about the kindness within the independent author community.

I am so pleased to tell you all that my book is now Number 5 on the Sunday Times Bestsellers list. However, over the past few weeks the responsibility of the book has weighed heavily on my shoulders at times. Writing a book has been described as like having a baby, with a pregnancy that lasts a lot more than 9 months, but then once the book finished, labour starts, and it can be emotionally exhausting.

Please don’t think that I underestimate the importance of an Indie Author getting to Number 5 on this list. I honestly am so honoured, and so proud of this accomplishment. If the book is my baby, this is a very proud mama moment! I am thankful to every one of you who has supported me, and everyone who has bought the book. My wish, more than any Bestsellers List, is that you find the book empowering and that it helps you to support the children in your lives.

That leads me to kindness and friendship. As an independent author it is so important to surround yourself with people who you can trust and depend on to support you in your work. I need to thank two women from the writing community who have really done that for me this week: Geraldine Walsh and Rachel Drury. You have reminded me of the importance of taking time to be grateful for the little moments of joy, of the importance of writers supporting writers, and the importance of friendship in our lives.

So, I am hoping this week to focus on the positive, to savour the moment of the Bestsellers List, it is little glittering moment to enjoy. But more importantly, to be thankful for the family and friends in my life who have supported me in my writing journey. by @drmaryokane

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OK guys, so you have made me cry! And not a little tear running down my cheek, big old sobs!

I am over the moon to be able to tell you all that ‘Anxious Children in an Anxious World: Facing Fears and Finding Brave’ has reached:
❤️❤️❤️
Number 1 in the @irishtimesmagazine Bestsellers non-fiction list this week!
❤️❤️❤️
It is unheard of for an independent author to reach the Number 1 spot (I think this is the first time it has happened!). We are competing with authors who have the backing of well-known publishing houses, and publicists working with them to promote their books. Independent authors are sitting at their kitchen tables contacting media outlets themselves, and doing all their own publicity, trying to get the word out about their books. So, I am just so grateful to all of you who have supported me along the way, and shared information about my book. Thank you to each and every one of you. I appreciate your support more than you will ever realise.

There are two important people I want to mention today. The first is my editor @_geraldinewalsh for her editorial and emotional support. She is just wonderful at what she does, and the book is all the better for her guidance.

But today it is also very important to recognise Rachel Drury from @buythebook.ie When I wrote this book the Bestsellers list was the last thing on my mind. I had no idea that an Indie author could even be considered for inclusion – this wasn’t the case when I published Perfectly Imperfect Parenting.

But Rachel and Des at buythebook.ie have been working to change that. Now that they are registered with Nielsen as an online bookseller, their members can be considered for inclusion in the Bestsellers lists. Thank you so much Rachel for giving all Indie authors this opportunity, and for persuading me to find my inner brave, and give it a go!

And finally (shameless plug here!) if you haven’t already bought a copy, you can buy one at the link in bio and see what all the fuss is about! by @drmaryokane

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by @drmaryokane

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😂😂😂 by @drmaryokane

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Could our teens’ phones be affecting their mental health more than we realise?

This week on Perfectly Imperfect Parenting, I was joined by Dr Claire Conlon, Chartered Principal Clinical Psychologist and Founder of the Caterpillar Clinic, to explore the growing research around smartphones, social media, and young people’s mental health.

We chatted about what the research is telling us about the impact of smartphones — and particularly social media — on our teens, including rising levels of anxiety, depression and suicidality.

If you missed it live you can listen back now, link in bio. This is an interview every parent should listen to!
*Trigger Warning: Mention of Suicidality*
#PerfectlyImperfectParenting #TeenMentalHealth #Smartphones #ParentingTeens #MentalHealthAwareness by @drmaryokane

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Delighted to be speaking at this event in Dundalk on Tuesday!

Scan the QR code to secure your tickets to this amazing event!

Or tickets available at:
https://buytickets.at/raisingreal/2340281 by @drmaryokane

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This seems very appropriate for today. The wonderful Charlie Mackesy ❤

#worldmentalhealthday2026 #MentalHealthMatters #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay #Mentalhealth #YouAreNotAlone #WorldMentalHealthDay #BeTheLight by @drmaryokane

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This week on #PerfectlyImperfectParenting, Mary is joined by Dr Claire Conlon, Chartered Principal Clinical Psychologist and Founder of the Caterpillar Clinic, to explore the growing research around smartphones and young people’s mental health.

They chat about what the research is telling us about the impact of smartphones — and particularly social media — on our teens, including rising levels of anxiety, depression and suicidality.

Tune in this Saturday from 11:30am on 103.2 Dublin City Fm

#TeenMentalHealth #Smartphones #ParentingTeens MentalHealthAwareness by @drmaryokane

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5 days ago

Another important one from Spilling the Tea on Autism and ADHD by @drmaryokane

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Love this one from @toucan_education ❤ by @drmaryokane

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❤❤❤

[Credit: @nomagicwanduk ] by @drmaryokane

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7 days ago

Are you a 'good enough mother'?

I chatted with Debbie Allen on Good Morning Dublin this week about the pressures on mothers today to be perfect, and how instead we should focus on being a real parent. One who makes mistakes and also repairs.

If you missed it live, you can listen back here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/1032DublinCityFM/dr-mary-okane-are-we-good-enough-as-parents-5th-october-2026/

or at the link in stories. by @drmaryokane

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