Southampton-based drama teacher Daisy Harris-Reid, known to her 13.6k Instagram followers as ‘Mum about Town’, has written her first book, a self-help manual for women coping with separation and solo-parenting.
The pocket-sized ‘Separation Survival Guide – How to Press the Reset Button’ is based on her own experience and three-year marriage break up journey. ‘It’s the book I wish I had had to help me through at the time’, Daisy told In Common. ‘A mix of practical advice and, almost more importantly, a guide to the emotions I went through’.
Mirroring that ‘journey’, Daisy’s book is divided into the ‘stages’ she encountered along the way – from denial to acceptance of what’s happening – along with the emotional ups and downs, from anger to actually enjoying the freedom. Then finally Daisy discusses the practical issues around co-parenting and being back in the dating game. Designed to be interactive, the book also has sections for readers to fill in about their own journeys so that the guide really becomes personal to them.
While writing honestly about the difficulties and struggles involved, Daisy’s overall message is a positive one, aimed at reassuring other women in her position. ‘I want to give them confidence and empower them to re-discover themselves.’ she said. ‘It’s important never to give up and to always remember that you are enough. Sometimes good things come out of pain. Personally I am now enjoying the opportunity just to be me.’
Certainly Daisy has found her own new niche as she turned adversity to her advantage by building up a now thriving Instagram business. She says that she wouldn’t have set up her Mum About Town account in 2020 had she not needed a diversion when her assumed ‘married life’ path began to crumble. Her account showcases the very best that Hampshire has to offer and details her various outings and experiences locally – some with her son and some as a single woman. She followed that up by founding and launching Hampshire_parents which offers social meetups and support – online and in real life – for mums, dads, and small businesses.
The Separation Survival Guide costs £7.99 and is available on Amazon and by following the link on Daisy’s Mum About Town Instagram page.
In the new year Daisy has a couple of Q&A sessions coming up; in Kingsworthy, Winchester on 28 January 2024 at the Cart & Horses, and in Romsey on 23 March 2024 at No 5. Tickets available on Daisy’s Instagram page.
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