Review: Little F*ckers by Ryan Martin

This is not a book about perfect parenting. It's about embracing the glorious messiness of family life and celebrating the win of getting through another day, humour intact. 

Little F*ckers is not a book to be read cover to cover but more to jump to the chapters that cover your current parenting struggles.

Ryan Martin gives advice on many different challenges, scenarios and solutions. He uses humour as a great leveler and many scenarios and solutions come from his own life experiences as a parent.

There are sections on communication, helicopter parenting, building resilience, setting reasonable boundaries, technology and much more.

I found the section on building gratitude in your children the most interesting and liked that even with the author this was a bit hit and miss however even when you don't think you're getting through to your teen they will say or do something that will show you they are listening and taking it in.

The chapters jump around from toddlers to teens. I would have liked the book to be presented more in chronological age order making it easier for parents to navigate.

I found Little F*ckers to have some good content with practical advice that appears to be easy to put into practice. Ryan Martin adds plenty of humour and his own fails which prevents the book from coming across as preachy.

There is also advice to parents to lead by example.

"Your child doesn't need you to be infallible or to pretend you've got everything figured out. They need you to show them what it looks like to be human, to take responsibility when you mess up, and to bounce back with humility and grace rather than defensiveness and excuses." Ryan Martin - Little F*ckers.

There is an extensive index in the back allowing the reader to look up a situation and go straight to the relevant pages.

I think the takeaway from Little F*ckers is to put down that phone, connect with your children and have some fun. You will make mistakes but remember to celebrate the wins.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 26th May 2026

Genre: Non Fiction / Parenting

Pages: 425

RRP: AU$36.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

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