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Gentle parenting pioneer & speaker

Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Transform parenting culture with Sarah Ockwell-Smith, speaker and gentle parenting pioneer. Sarah works with organisations to deliver evidence-based childcare expertise and family wellbeing strategies, reaching global audiences through fifteen bestselling books and regular national media appearances.

Trusted by Good Morning Britain, BBC Radio 5, Sky News

Sarah Ockwell-Smith
Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Sarah Ockwell-Smith

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£2k–5k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

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Sarah Ockwell-Smith's biography

At a glance

  • Best-selling author of 15 parenting books
  • Creator of the Gentle Parenting movement
  • Renowned parenting expert for national TV and radio
Sarah Ockwell-Smith is a best-selling childcare author and parenting coach. She has written fifteen books, including several international bestsellers. Sarah's expertise covers all ages, from birth to young adulthood, and she is often referred to as the creator of the Gentle Parenting movement. Sarah is well-known and trusted by thousands of parents worldwide, with over a quarter of a million social media followers. She is a 'go-to' parenting expert for national TV and radio, including Good Morning Britain, BBC Radio 5, LBC, and Sky News. Sarah has written for multiple publications, including The Daily Mail, The Guardian, and The Express, and is the tween and teen expert for the parenting website 'Good to Know'. Sarah has given multiple keynote speeches at international conferences and is experienced in running corporate training and wellbeing sessions. Her speaking style is relaxed, relatable, engaging, and humorous.

Topics, sessions and talks

How To Be A Calm Parent
Most parents struggle with staying calm. Parenting is really hard, and no parent is perfect but that doesn't stop us from feeling guilty when we yell or say something to our children that we're not proud of. Guilt is a massive problem for parents who are already exhausted and stretched thin. The good news is, there is a (realistic and achievable) way to be calmer, to lose the guilt, tame the stress and be the great role model your kids need. This talk with Sarah Ockwell-Smith, author of How to be a Calm Parent, will tell you how.
How To Survive The Tween And Teen Years
There is a lot of information for parents of younger children, but little when parents most need it: during the tween and teen years. In this talk, Sarah Ockwell-Smith, author of Between, for parents of 8-13yr olds and How to Raise a Teen, for parents of 13-21yr olds, discusses the most common behaviour difficulties faced by parents of older children (including rudeness, backchat, screen addiction, refusal to do homework and sulking): and how to tackle them in such a way that your relationship with your older child and young adult flourishes.
How To Improve Your 0-5yr Old's Sleep
The early years of parenthood are exhausting, especially because most children wake in the night for several years and bedtimes can be one of the most stressful periods of the day. Many parents turn to conventional sleep training, involving leaving their child to cry, which doesn't produce long-lasting results and can leave parents feeling stressed and anxious. There is another way though. In this talk, Sarah Ockwell-Smith, author of The Gentle Sleep Book, will discuss ways that parents can improve their child's sleep, without tears.
How To Raise Happy, Confident Children
With one in five children having a diagnosable mental health condition, now is a more important time than ever to focus on our children's emotions, confidence and happiness. Much of the current parenting advice drives a wedge between the parent/child relationship and actually damages mental health. In this talk, Sarah Ockwell-Smith, author of How to be a Calm Parent, discusses practical ways in which parents can really help their children to grow up happy, confident, with good mental health and respectful behaviour.

Why we recommend booking Sarah

Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge in parenting and child development, making her an invaluable asset for teams and businesses aiming to support the work-life balance of their employees. Her engaging and humorous speaking style ensures that her insights are not only informative but also enjoyable to listen to. Booking Sarah will provide your team with practical, gentle parenting strategies that can enhance overall wellbeing and productivity.

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Trusted by Good Morning Britain, BBC Radio 5, Sky News

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Sarah Ockwell-Smith - Because I Said So book cover

frequently asked questions

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Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

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Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

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Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

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Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

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