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BOOKS

GREAT NEXT READS

Fresh off my shelf, here are some great reads that have helped me, and the Dance Mama community, and some who have contributed to Dance Mama Live.

Happy to add more recommendations! Contact me. 

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The 'female' danceR

Within an edited collection from leading voices in dance,  Claire Farmer and Helen Kindred, Dance Mama Founder/CEO, Lucy McCrudden and Professor Angela Pickard have co-authored the chapter 'Sustaining a dance career as a parent'. 

This brings together recent information and research on how to navigate your career as a parent in dance, from knowing your rights, economic and logistical factors, to ideas on how to manage your time well to balance your responsibilities. 

Also contains a great chapter on pregnancy by IPADN member, Chloe Hillyar and much, much more!

Available from Routledge, now. 

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MATERNAL JOURNAL

Lucy is excited to be included in Maternal Journal's book. Lucy contributed a dance guide as a great extension to the journaling process alongside other artists including celebrated poet, Hollie McNish and authors Laura Godfrey-Isaacs and Samantha McGowan. 

Laura is on our Research Advisory Group and has also been a featured Guest Speaker on Dance Mama Live! in 2021

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DAncing
MOtherhood

Hot off Routledge's press is Professor Ali Duffy's book - with contribution from Dance Mama Founder, Lucy McCrudden

Dancing Motherhood explores how unique factors about the dance profession impact pregnant women and mothers working in it.

Ali Duffy introduces the book by laying a foundation of social and cultural histories and systemic structures and power that shape the issues mothers in dance negotiate today. This book then reveals perspectives from mothers in dance working in areas such as performance, choreography, dance education, administration, and advocacy though survey and interview data.

 

Based on participant responses, recommendations for changes in policy, hiring, evaluation, workplace environment, and other professional and personal practices to better support working mothers in dance are highlighted. Finally, essays from eight working mothers in dance offer intimate, personal stories and guidance geared to mothers, future mothers, policymakers, and colleagues and supervisors of mothers in the dance field.

By describing lived experiences and offering suggestions for improved working conditions and advocacy, this book initiates expanded discussion about women in dance and promotes change to positively impact dancing mothers, their employers, and the dance field.

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BODY

Why did no one tell me?

Emma Brockwell aka Physiomum® gives a comprehensive guide of the motherhood transition

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BODY

The Female Body Bible

The amazing three founders of The Well HQ have created what we know will be essential reading. New in 2023.

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BODY

Hormones, Health and Human Potential

Dr Nicky Keay's (GP and dance guru) new essential guide to on how our hormones interplay with our performance. 

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APPROACH

Empowered Birth
 

Dr Carla Meijen applied lessons from sport psychology to the maternity journey.

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Matrescence
 

Lucy Jones guides us through the metamorphosis of the maternal period. 

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APPROACH

Untamed
 

Glennon Doyle leads us on a journey of how to enable ourselves to assert our needs.

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CAREER

Building A Portfolio Career

Bourne, McCrudden and Lyons give a comprehensive guide to being a Portfolio Professional in all aspects (with a couple of pages on yours truly)

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CAREER

The Freelance Mum

Annie Ridout, takes you through the ins and outs of being a freelancer in a parental context. Although a copywriter by trade, her insights are transferable 

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CAREER

She Means Business

Carrie Green (now a Mama) gives an inspirational 360 into setting up as an entrepreneur. She also has an online community.

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APPROACH

How To Support A Champion

King of Sport, Dr Steve Ingham, gives the inside view of training his many champions, including Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill

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APPROACH

High Performance Habits

Multiple NYTimes Bestseller, Brendon Burchard explores the 6 most effective habits of high performers

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APPROACH

Dare to Lead

Magnificent social researcher and storyteller, Dr Brene Brown shares her most important finds on how to lead in all walks of life.

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CREATIVITY

Women Who Run With The Wolves

Dr Clarissa Pinkola Estes has written probably the most important book you will ever read, exploring the feminine inner world to empower and ignite

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CREATIVITY

The Artists Way

A great way of rediscovering your creativity if you feel a little lost as a new parent. (Having done a workshop with Julia Cameron - she's badass and takes no prisoners!)

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CREATIVITY

Creativity

Good to know what Darren Henley,  CEO of Arts Council England thinks about the subject, and further establishing the case for creativity 

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RESILIENCE

The Universe Has Your Back

My no. 1 guru and Chief Director of Approach, Gabby Bernstein's  life-affirming work on having faith.

She has a plethora of works and a fantastic community

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Miracles Now
 

So darn good she's got her own section (I have geeked out here). Quick hits of goodness to keep you aligned throughout the day. Especially good for parents who are short on time and often juggling!

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RESILIENCE

Super Attractor

Gabby's latest gift if you want to super-charge your life with her positive approach.

Various journalling and card decks are available alongside her work. 

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