Linda Sawley introduces an account by Pat Fleming, who describes the ups and downs of life with a son who has a learning disability

Listening to parents is an important part of any children’s nurse’s day. Sometimes nurses only give lip service to what parents are saying: Kenyon and Barnett (2001) discuss the importance of listening to parents, and allowing a true partnership to take place, rather than merely paying lip service to this ideal. This is further emphasised by Sawley (2002) who explores the concept of using a consumer group to find out what parents want for their children.