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Sue Atkins

Parenting Expert | Broadcaster | Author

President: Montessori UK

Helping parents, schools and organisations raise confident children in a fast-changing world.

President of Montessori UK — championing Montessori for today’s childhood and Montessori for all.

Parenting today can feel overwhelming.

From toddler tantrums to teen anxiety. From sleep struggles to smartphones. From classroom pressures to the constant hum of the digital world.

You don’t need more noise. 

You need clarity, confidence and calm.

I’m Sue Atkins — a parenting expert, broadcaster and author with over 40 years’ experience in education and family life. I’m also proud to serve as President of Montessori UK, championing Montessori for today’s childhood and Montessori for all.

My work brings together parenting, education and healthy digital habits — helping adults feel steadier so children can flourish.

What I Believe

Parenting and education don’t need to feel overwhelming. In a fast changing world, children don’t need perfection. They need calm, clarity and connection.

I believe children thrive when:

Adults are calm and confident

Boundaries are clear and kind

Childhood is protected

Technology is guided, not feared

Education sees the whole child

Whether I’m supporting parents at home, advising schools, speaking at conferences or broadcasting nationally, the thread running through all my work is simple:
Childhood matters.
And the adults raising and guiding children matter too.

Starting School Soon?

Help Your Child Feel Calm, Confident & Ready for School

Starting school is a big milestone — for children and parents too.

Whether your child is excited, nervous, shy, emotional or still learning independence, Sue’s practical School Readiness support helps families build confidence, emotional resilience and strong foundations for starting school positively.

Featured Support for Families

School Readiness Programme

Help Your Child Feel Ready for School — Emotionally, Socially & Practically

Practical guidance, expert support and simple strategies to help your child feel emotionally, socially and practically ready for school.

Emotional Backpack Starter Kit

Build Confidence, Resilience & Emotional Wellbeing Before School Starts

Help your child feel calm, confident, and emotionally ready for school — with a simple, printable toolkit you can start using today.

Navigating the Digital Jungle

The digital world isn’t going away.

But childhood shouldn’t disappear because of it.

Through my podcast, talks and resources, Navigating the Digital Jungle, I help families:

Delay smartphones with confidence
Build healthy screen habits
Teach attention as a life skill
Have calm conversations about online safety
Raise emotionally resilient children in a connected world

Balanced. Practical. Reassuring.

If you’re looking for calm, practical guidance to help your family navigate the digital world with confidence, explore my resources, podcast and tools.

Montessori Leadership

As President of Montessori UK, I’m leading a national conversation about modern childhood.

Montessori was born in communities that were overlooked.
In 2026, overlooked communities look different — but they still exist.
My focus is visibility, inclusion and accessibility.

Today, my work honours its heritage while ensuring its principles remain vibrant, relevant and accessible for modern childhood.

Independence, respect, movement, attention and real-world learning aren’t extras.
They are the foundations of healthy childhood.

Parenting Unplugged

Calm, practical support for parenting in a digital world

Parenting in a digital world doesn’t happen in big moments — it happens at the kitchen table, in the car, at bedtime, and in all the small, everyday interactions.

From screen time and sleep to smartphones, social media, and those “just one more” moments, it can feel overwhelming knowing what’s right.

Parenting Unplugged is Sue’s twice-monthly newsletter offering simple, realistic strategies, real-life scripts, and practical ideas you can use straight away — in real conversations, in real life.

No judgement. No overwhelm.
Just calm, steady support that makes a real difference to your family

Work With Me

Parents

Schools & Nurseries

Education Leaders

Charities & Organisations

Brands aligned with
child wellbeing

Speaking & Keynotes ● Consultancy ● Media Commentary ● Workshops & Training ● Podcasts & Panels

Speaking & Keynotes

Consultancy

Media Commentary

Workshops & Training

Podcasts & Panels

If you’re looking for thoughtful, practical and media-ready expertise — let’s talk.

Parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.

And when we support parents, we support children.

And when we support children, we shape the future.