My Mum's Growing Down: questions to ask and activities to try
Mum has decided to grow down instead of up. My Mum's Growing Down is a hilarious poetry collection about one very wild mum.
What age is it for? My Mum's Growing Down is best for ages 7–10. Good for: Poems about a mum who acts like a kid.
My Mum's Growing Down (Laura Dockrill and David Tazzyman)
- Age
- 7-10
- Best for
- Poems about a mum who acts like a kid
Read a poem or two at bedtime. Imagine what would happen if you swapped roles for a day.
What it helps with
- Enjoying poetry
- Humour
- Role reversal
- Family
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why is Mum growing down?”
- “What silly things does she do?”
- “Who’s in charge now?”
- “Which poem was funniest?”
- “What would you do as the grown-up?”
- “What would your grown-up do as a kid?”
5-minute activities to try together
Swap day
Swap one job for a day: the child plans dinner.
Grown-down poem
Write a poem about a grown-up acting like a kid.
Free printables: My Mum's Growing Down worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
Poems Aloud (Joseph Coelho and Daniel Gray-Barnett)
- Best for
- Poems made to be read out loud
- Age
- 5-8
Marge in Charge (Isla Fisher and Eglantine Ceulemans)
- Best for
- A rule-bending babysitter with rainbow hair
- Age
- 5-8
Bad Nana: Older Not Wiser (Sophy Henn)
- Best for
- A grandma who is up to no good
- Age
- 6-8
Search all our books by what's happening →
By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.