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Recommend this book:
Loving Andrew
A Fifty-Two-Year Story of Down Syndrome
Romy Wyllie
2014 Honorable Mention
306 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
In Loving Andrew, Romy Wyllie tells the story of her Down syndrome son, Andrew James Wyllie, and also stories about Lindsay Yeager and Blair Rodriguez; both with the same condition. It is not only about how Romy and her family face the challenges of raising a Down syndrome child, but the joy and life lessons that he bestowed upon them.
I never knew that a person with Down syndrome could be affected by mental illness, such as paranoid schizophrenia in Andrew’s case. This revelation is quite a surprise for me due to my lack of knowledge in this matter. Reading about the public and the medical community’s reception in the late fifties towards Down syndrome is informative; I’m glad that society is more knowledgeable about Down syndrome although the lack of understanding regarding the disabled people still lingers today.
My mother is a retired nurse for almost 15 years now, and I clearly remembered what she said about Down syndrome children, “It is sad that their life span is shorter than us.” I’m glad to know that Andrew lived until he was fifty-two, although it was hard to read about his decline from a high-functioning man with Down syndrome, to a man who had to battle paranoid schizophrenia and Alzheimer's in his last years.
I truly appreciate that Romy Wyllie shares her story about Andrew with the rest of the world. Loving Andrew is an eloquently written book and definitely a helpful guide as well as inspiration for everyone, especially parents with disabled children.
In Loving Andrew, Romy Wyllie tells the story of her Down syndrome son, Andrew James Wyllie, and also stories about Lindsay Yeager and Blair Rodriguez; both with the same condition. It is not only about how Romy and her family face the challenges of raising a Down syndrome child, but the joy and life lessons that he bestowed upon them.
I never knew that a person with Down syndrome could be affected by mental illness, such as paranoid schizophrenia in Andrew’s case. This revelation is quite a surprise for me due to my lack of knowledge in this matter. Reading about the public and the medical community’s reception in the late fifties towards Down syndrome is informative; I’m glad that society is more knowledgeable about Down syndrome although the lack of understanding regarding the disabled people still lingers today.
My mother is a retired nurse for almost 15 years now, and I clearly remembered what she said about Down syndrome children, “It is sad that their life span is shorter than us.” I’m glad to know that Andrew lived until he was fifty-two, although it was hard to read about his decline from a high-functioning man with Down syndrome, to a man who had to battle paranoid schizophrenia and Alzheimer's in his last years.
I truly appreciate that Romy Wyllie shares her story about Andrew with the rest of the world. Loving Andrew is an eloquently written book and definitely a helpful guide as well as inspiration for everyone, especially parents with disabled children.
Recommend this book:
Growing Happy Kids
How to Foster Inner Confidence, Success and Happiness
Maureen Healy
2014 Silver Medal
264 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Samantha Rivera for Readers' Favorite
Growing Happy Kids by Maureen Healy is all about how anyone can raise children that are confident in themselves and their ability to succeed. With information and stories from real parents and the Five Building Blocks of Inner Confidence, it’s possible to determine which stage of confidence you are already at and how to build yourself and your children up to an even stronger level of inner confidence. Even if you have no confidence right now, you’ll be able to find your inner strength and your ability to succeed. It’s not about knowing what you do well and taking your confidence from an external influence, it’s about taking your confidence from inside yourself. Being strong from the inside out is much harder, but it also has far more rewards in the end. Teaching your kids these skills from a young age will definitely help them to be happier and far healthier as they grow into adulthood.
Being confident isn't just about knowing you can do something well, it’s about knowing that you can overcome obstacles and that you, as your own person, are capable of whatever you need in life. It’s about understanding that even if bad things happen to you, you can overcome. By learning this for yourself and teaching it to your children, you can make them and yourself much stronger. I definitely learned more about this by reading Growing Happy Kids by Maureen Healy. The information in this book, especially that from real parents, was easy to understand and really made me believe it will work.
Growing Happy Kids by Maureen Healy is all about how anyone can raise children that are confident in themselves and their ability to succeed. With information and stories from real parents and the Five Building Blocks of Inner Confidence, it’s possible to determine which stage of confidence you are already at and how to build yourself and your children up to an even stronger level of inner confidence. Even if you have no confidence right now, you’ll be able to find your inner strength and your ability to succeed. It’s not about knowing what you do well and taking your confidence from an external influence, it’s about taking your confidence from inside yourself. Being strong from the inside out is much harder, but it also has far more rewards in the end. Teaching your kids these skills from a young age will definitely help them to be happier and far healthier as they grow into adulthood.
Being confident isn't just about knowing you can do something well, it’s about knowing that you can overcome obstacles and that you, as your own person, are capable of whatever you need in life. It’s about understanding that even if bad things happen to you, you can overcome. By learning this for yourself and teaching it to your children, you can make them and yourself much stronger. I definitely learned more about this by reading Growing Happy Kids by Maureen Healy. The information in this book, especially that from real parents, was easy to understand and really made me believe it will work.
Recommend this book:
The Big Secret
The Whole and Honest Truth About Santa Claus
D. W. Boorn
2014 Gold Medal
52 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Kristie Ingerto for Readers' Favorite
The Big Secret by D. W. Boorn is a must-have for every parent as it will help children with the transition from believing in Santa Claus to knowing the truth about the magic of Christmas. The Big Secret asks and double checks that the reader is ready to learn the truth about Santa Claus and be added to the list to be a part of the Big Kids’ Club. If the reader is ready to take this enormous step, then he or she should turn the page, add his or her name to the list and be prepared to learn the truth about Santa Claus. The legend of Santa Claus is shared as well as the concept of magic; both the magic of things that can be seen and those magical things that cannot be seen. The magic of Christmas and the season is explained as well with examples of how children can also share in this magic.
I absolutely love The Big Secret and it has found a spot on my bookshelf. It will be used when my children are ready to write their names on the list to join the Big Kids’ Club! D. W. Boorn addresses the concept of Santa Claus for children who are transitioning out of the stage of believing in Santa Claus. It is explained in such a way that Christmas is seen in a whole new light, but it is still just as magical a time as when Santa Claus was believed in, maybe even more magical!
This book is really for anyone of any religion and does not delve into specific religious beliefs, merely the concept of Christmas being a magical time of the year due to the fact that people are kinder to each other at this time and are overall a better person. I love the look and the layout of this book as it really does look magical as if containing secrets within the pages.
The Big Secret by D. W. Boorn is a must-have for every parent as it will help children with the transition from believing in Santa Claus to knowing the truth about the magic of Christmas. The Big Secret asks and double checks that the reader is ready to learn the truth about Santa Claus and be added to the list to be a part of the Big Kids’ Club. If the reader is ready to take this enormous step, then he or she should turn the page, add his or her name to the list and be prepared to learn the truth about Santa Claus. The legend of Santa Claus is shared as well as the concept of magic; both the magic of things that can be seen and those magical things that cannot be seen. The magic of Christmas and the season is explained as well with examples of how children can also share in this magic.
I absolutely love The Big Secret and it has found a spot on my bookshelf. It will be used when my children are ready to write their names on the list to join the Big Kids’ Club! D. W. Boorn addresses the concept of Santa Claus for children who are transitioning out of the stage of believing in Santa Claus. It is explained in such a way that Christmas is seen in a whole new light, but it is still just as magical a time as when Santa Claus was believed in, maybe even more magical!
This book is really for anyone of any religion and does not delve into specific religious beliefs, merely the concept of Christmas being a magical time of the year due to the fact that people are kinder to each other at this time and are overall a better person. I love the look and the layout of this book as it really does look magical as if containing secrets within the pages.
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/holidays-for-kids&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41FScSHPZsL._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description=Charles Pascalar's book "Holidays for Kids" is packed full of great ideas for parents and children to celebrate holidays together, well-known holidays and lesser known ones as well! This book is divided up into chapters by each month with the holidays specific to that month coming in each chapter. For example, July has five holidays: Independence D...){kind=link}
Holidays for Kids
Charles Pascalar
2013 Bronze Medal
108 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Kristie Ingerto for Readers' Favorite
Charles Pascalar's book "Holidays for Kids" is packed full of great ideas for parents and children to celebrate holidays together, well-known holidays and lesser known ones as well! This book is divided up into chapters by each month with the holidays specific to that month coming in each chapter. For example, July has five holidays: Independence Day, Macaroni Day, Slurpee Day, Lollipop Day, and Parents' Day. While the majority of Americans already have ways and traditions for celebrating Independence Day, the author has included some historical facts about each state and also information about different types of fireworks. Then Slurpee day is of course July 11th (7-11 Convenience Store) and the book gives a brief history of this store and a simple tradition of going for a Slurpee on this day each year. The last chapter contains other special days such as birthdays, picnic days and kids in the kitchen days that can be celebrated any day and many days throughout the year. Each holiday is discussed and ideas are shared for families to adapt and use in order to create their own traditions and have fun together.
This is by far one of the best parenting books I have ever read! Not only is it unique and fun to read, but it is filled with excellent ideas to use as a way to spend time and create memories with my children! I love the range of ideas and activities in this book and cannot wait to try so many of them out. While some will take more time and money than other ideas, it is all about creating the moments and memories as a family and giving of time and love as the author stresses. This is a must-read for all families!
Charles Pascalar's book "Holidays for Kids" is packed full of great ideas for parents and children to celebrate holidays together, well-known holidays and lesser known ones as well! This book is divided up into chapters by each month with the holidays specific to that month coming in each chapter. For example, July has five holidays: Independence Day, Macaroni Day, Slurpee Day, Lollipop Day, and Parents' Day. While the majority of Americans already have ways and traditions for celebrating Independence Day, the author has included some historical facts about each state and also information about different types of fireworks. Then Slurpee day is of course July 11th (7-11 Convenience Store) and the book gives a brief history of this store and a simple tradition of going for a Slurpee on this day each year. The last chapter contains other special days such as birthdays, picnic days and kids in the kitchen days that can be celebrated any day and many days throughout the year. Each holiday is discussed and ideas are shared for families to adapt and use in order to create their own traditions and have fun together.
This is by far one of the best parenting books I have ever read! Not only is it unique and fun to read, but it is filled with excellent ideas to use as a way to spend time and create memories with my children! I love the range of ideas and activities in this book and cannot wait to try so many of them out. While some will take more time and money than other ideas, it is all about creating the moments and memories as a family and giving of time and love as the author stresses. This is a must-read for all families!
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/the-immortality-complex&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41O-SnUpROL._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description=In Dr. Jerome Schulte's book, "The Immortality Complex", he lists three things that are the philosophical theorems of his book: the essence of humanness is need, the essence of need is feelings, and the essence of feeling is growth. Need is the continued growth through feelings. He contends that people don't delve into their feelings near enough to...){kind=link}
The Immortality Complex
Dr. Jerome L Schulte, MD
2012 Finalist
298 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Jean Brickell for Readers' Favorite
In Dr. Jerome Schulte's book, "The Immortality Complex", he lists three things that are the philosophical theorems of his book: the essence of humanness is need, the essence of need is feelings, and the essence of feeling is growth. Need is the continued growth through feelings. He contends that people don't delve into their feelings near enough to the detriment of their selves. He discusses feelings in depth and the need for love and unconditional love and the problems with the lack thereof. Sexuality is vastly important to the self and to the sharing of sex with one that is important to the self. Dr. Jerome Schulte has worked with small children, juveniles, and adults as criminals and potential criminals and has his theories as to why they were bent that way and ways in which help could be accorded.
If you have an interest in psychology or even an interest in people in general, you will be interested in reading "The Immortality Complex" by Dr. Jerome Schulte. The doctor discuses what is necessary to be a mentally healthy human. He also delves into the criminal personality which gets quite interesting. The doctor has 40 years of working with people. To aid them in many problems that they may have, he has studied the psychology of the mentally ill as well as those with a criminal bent, even young children. A spell-binding book!
In Dr. Jerome Schulte's book, "The Immortality Complex", he lists three things that are the philosophical theorems of his book: the essence of humanness is need, the essence of need is feelings, and the essence of feeling is growth. Need is the continued growth through feelings. He contends that people don't delve into their feelings near enough to the detriment of their selves. He discusses feelings in depth and the need for love and unconditional love and the problems with the lack thereof. Sexuality is vastly important to the self and to the sharing of sex with one that is important to the self. Dr. Jerome Schulte has worked with small children, juveniles, and adults as criminals and potential criminals and has his theories as to why they were bent that way and ways in which help could be accorded.
If you have an interest in psychology or even an interest in people in general, you will be interested in reading "The Immortality Complex" by Dr. Jerome Schulte. The doctor discuses what is necessary to be a mentally healthy human. He also delves into the criminal personality which gets quite interesting. The doctor has 40 years of working with people. To aid them in many problems that they may have, he has studied the psychology of the mentally ill as well as those with a criminal bent, even young children. A spell-binding book!
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/smart-parenting-for-smart-kids&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41T54-qv17L._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description="Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential" by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, and Mark S. Lowenthal, PsyD, explains how and why children struggle and distills “smart” parenting into four essential components: a compassionate ability to view the world through our children’s eyes; the confidence to set judicious limits...){kind=link}
Smart Parenting for Smart Kids
Nurturing Your Child's True Potential
Eileen Kennedy-Moore
2012 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Laurie Gray for Readers' Favorite
"Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential" by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, and Mark S. Lowenthal, PsyD, explains how and why children struggle and distills “smart” parenting into four essential components: a compassionate ability to view the world through our children’s eyes; the confidence to set judicious limits; a commitment to turn toward our children more often than away; and faith in our children’s ability to grow and learn. The authors identify seven fundamental challenges, devoting a chapter to each: Tempering Perfectionism, Building Connection, Managing Sensitivity, Handling Cooperation and Competition, Dealing with Authority, Developing Motivation, and Finding Joy. Drawing upon their own professional training and experience, they offer insightful strategies and research-based solutions, demonstrating practical application through the use of two, three or four specific vignettes that represent typical behavior issues in each chapter. The book includes an index and an extensive selection of recommended reading for both parents and professionals.
This is one of the most encouraging and empowering parenting books I have encountered. There is no elaborate system of rewards and punishments to “fix” children by controlling and manipulating them into conformity to our desired outcomes. Instead, the strategies are the ones we can use to “parent” ourselves, turning us into positive examples of the behavior we desire for our children and giving us the “parenting” experience we need to parent our children more successfully. Dr. Kennedy-Moore and Dr. Lowenthal emphasize that a child’s true potential is not in performance and achievement, but in the capacity for personal growth and life-long learning innate in every child. I highly recommend this practical guide to all parents who want to cultivate their children’s inner strength and outward compassion and help their children create their own meaningful and satisfying lives.
"Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential" by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, and Mark S. Lowenthal, PsyD, explains how and why children struggle and distills “smart” parenting into four essential components: a compassionate ability to view the world through our children’s eyes; the confidence to set judicious limits; a commitment to turn toward our children more often than away; and faith in our children’s ability to grow and learn. The authors identify seven fundamental challenges, devoting a chapter to each: Tempering Perfectionism, Building Connection, Managing Sensitivity, Handling Cooperation and Competition, Dealing with Authority, Developing Motivation, and Finding Joy. Drawing upon their own professional training and experience, they offer insightful strategies and research-based solutions, demonstrating practical application through the use of two, three or four specific vignettes that represent typical behavior issues in each chapter. The book includes an index and an extensive selection of recommended reading for both parents and professionals.
This is one of the most encouraging and empowering parenting books I have encountered. There is no elaborate system of rewards and punishments to “fix” children by controlling and manipulating them into conformity to our desired outcomes. Instead, the strategies are the ones we can use to “parent” ourselves, turning us into positive examples of the behavior we desire for our children and giving us the “parenting” experience we need to parent our children more successfully. Dr. Kennedy-Moore and Dr. Lowenthal emphasize that a child’s true potential is not in performance and achievement, but in the capacity for personal growth and life-long learning innate in every child. I highly recommend this practical guide to all parents who want to cultivate their children’s inner strength and outward compassion and help their children create their own meaningful and satisfying lives.
Recommend this book:
The Daddy Diaries
A Year in the Life of a Modern American Dad
Paul Kemp
2012 Finalist
272 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Janet Jensen for Readers' Favorite
The Daddy Diaries by Paul Kemp chronicles a year in the life of the father of two active young boys. “What started out as a way to chronicle my sons' younger years for their later enjoyment,” he writes, “evolved into a way to vent my frustrations while I tried to overcome the mediocrity in the workplace while my employers shipped our jobs overseas, and then turned into a way for me to deal with my grief and then the emotional aftermath of my marriage.” As described, the diary is a mixture of ups and downs and anecdotes of daily work and family life. Originally a therapeutic tool, he found pleasure and importance in recording insightful Dad-son moments.
The Daddy Diaries is a touching account of fatherhood, and Kemp’s tenderness melted this reader’s heart, perhaps because my husband and I have raised three active sons. However, as it appears in the form of diary entries, there is much repetition and the pace of the storytelling is therefore somewhat slow. I found myself waiting for “the plot” or “the point” and then realized that journal entries do not rely on these literary devices. With a caveat for some adult language, I give The Daddy Diaries four stars for its honesty and the author’s ability to inject insight and love into the smallest of events in his children’s lives, savoring moments he will share with them as they grow older. All little boys should be so lucky.
The Daddy Diaries by Paul Kemp chronicles a year in the life of the father of two active young boys. “What started out as a way to chronicle my sons' younger years for their later enjoyment,” he writes, “evolved into a way to vent my frustrations while I tried to overcome the mediocrity in the workplace while my employers shipped our jobs overseas, and then turned into a way for me to deal with my grief and then the emotional aftermath of my marriage.” As described, the diary is a mixture of ups and downs and anecdotes of daily work and family life. Originally a therapeutic tool, he found pleasure and importance in recording insightful Dad-son moments.
The Daddy Diaries is a touching account of fatherhood, and Kemp’s tenderness melted this reader’s heart, perhaps because my husband and I have raised three active sons. However, as it appears in the form of diary entries, there is much repetition and the pace of the storytelling is therefore somewhat slow. I found myself waiting for “the plot” or “the point” and then realized that journal entries do not rely on these literary devices. With a caveat for some adult language, I give The Daddy Diaries four stars for its honesty and the author’s ability to inject insight and love into the smallest of events in his children’s lives, savoring moments he will share with them as they grow older. All little boys should be so lucky.
Recommend this book:
Peek-A-Boo, I See You!
Parenting From Your Child's Point of View
Sandra Gunn
2012 Silver Medal
182 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite
Sandra Gunn, a former educator in the public school system, received a grant to develop and teach an innovative humanities course for high school students. Upon the successful completion of this program, she left public education and joined the Council of the Great City Schools in Washington, DC where she helped develop curriculum options for the great city schools. This work was designed to build a bridge between the relevance of what a student learns and its practical applications to his life.
With the birth of her two sons she established a home school with pioneering concepts devoted to the exploration of their natural curiosities. The curriculum was based upon the concept that every child is an artist who has a need to express himself; that each question may have more than one answer; that success and failure are part of the same process; that mistakes are positive because they encourage us to change direction; and that work and play are the same. Children learn what has purpose in their lives.
She received her BA degree from the University of Florida and her Masters degree from Auburn University. She has a successful hospitality interior design business. Sandra was chosen by Hotel Interactive HIConnect Design to be one of their 50 featured vignette designers in their March, 2012 national hospitality trade show. She was invited to become a member of the HIConnect Design Advisory Board.
She writes and blogs on parenting and education at www.peekabooparenting.com
Sandra Gunn, a former educator in the public school system, received a grant to develop and teach an innovative humanities course for high school students. Upon the successful completion of this program, she left public education and joined the Council of the Great City Schools in Washington, DC where she helped develop curriculum options for the great city schools. This work was designed to build a bridge between the relevance of what a student learns and its practical applications to his life.
With the birth of her two sons she established a home school with pioneering concepts devoted to the exploration of their natural curiosities. The curriculum was based upon the concept that every child is an artist who has a need to express himself; that each question may have more than one answer; that success and failure are part of the same process; that mistakes are positive because they encourage us to change direction; and that work and play are the same. Children learn what has purpose in their lives.
She received her BA degree from the University of Florida and her Masters degree from Auburn University. She has a successful hospitality interior design business. Sandra was chosen by Hotel Interactive HIConnect Design to be one of their 50 featured vignette designers in their March, 2012 national hospitality trade show. She was invited to become a member of the HIConnect Design Advisory Board.
She writes and blogs on parenting and education at www.peekabooparenting.com
Recommend this book:
Babies' Guide to Parents
and other important people
Meri Ramey-Gray
2011 Gold Medal
135 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Kristie Ingerto for Readers' Favorite
Meri E. Ramey-Gray's Babies' Guide to Parents is a fun and educational book to read! Written from a baby's perspective, this book is jam-packed with essential information for parents and caregivers of infants. Each month is discussed in a separate chapter. This allows for milestones and significant information that usually is a part of each month to be discussed: for example, when a baby typically begins to crawl/climb and when shots are usually administered. Sharing what the baby needs is cute to read from a baby's perspective and so very true. Some things may appear to be commonsense, but in the midst of a crisis or when you are so tired of taking care of and raising a baby, it is easy to forget certain things.
This is a well-written and cute book! Babies are a lot of fun but also a lot of work, and they are a gift that must be treasured and treated well. Ramey-Gray will take you into the mind and thoughts of babies and see the world during their first twelve months of life "from the other side." I highly recommend this book to parents as it is enjoyable, yet also educational and is not overwhelming or difficult to read or understand. I like how the author stresses that babies love their parents/caregivers, and that during the seemingly mundane tasks of caring for them, it can be difficult to always focus on the positives of raising a baby.
Meri E. Ramey-Gray's Babies' Guide to Parents is a fun and educational book to read! Written from a baby's perspective, this book is jam-packed with essential information for parents and caregivers of infants. Each month is discussed in a separate chapter. This allows for milestones and significant information that usually is a part of each month to be discussed: for example, when a baby typically begins to crawl/climb and when shots are usually administered. Sharing what the baby needs is cute to read from a baby's perspective and so very true. Some things may appear to be commonsense, but in the midst of a crisis or when you are so tired of taking care of and raising a baby, it is easy to forget certain things.
This is a well-written and cute book! Babies are a lot of fun but also a lot of work, and they are a gift that must be treasured and treated well. Ramey-Gray will take you into the mind and thoughts of babies and see the world during their first twelve months of life "from the other side." I highly recommend this book to parents as it is enjoyable, yet also educational and is not overwhelming or difficult to read or understand. I like how the author stresses that babies love their parents/caregivers, and that during the seemingly mundane tasks of caring for them, it can be difficult to always focus on the positives of raising a baby.
Recommend this book:
Suck it Up
Memoirs of a Gym Mom
Lora Coad
2011 Bronze Medal
108 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Parenting
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite
Even before Kimberly was born she was in constant motion. Her mother, author Lora Coad, reminisces over the antics of Kimberly as she was growing up, from throwing the cat down the stairs to doing back flips everyday in the living room. As Kimberly grew older it became more difficult for Lora to understand her passion for gymnastics. The coaches finally convinced Lora that this wasn't just a phase; Kimberly was really good. As Kimi reached a higher level of competition, Lora struggled with her emotions. There were mothers who were constantly at the gym spouting the technical language and critiquing the coaches. Lora did not want to be that type of mother, and yet Kimi begged for her to always be there.
I admire Lora's sense of humor and her devotion to her children. Being a parent is not easy; accidents and disappointments go along with the triumphs. Lora may have hated the sport at times, but she supported her daughter through it all. When Lora shared how Kimberly felt her talent was a gift from God, my heart was warmed. Some are blessed with special talents, and we just can't always understand why. One of the most important lessons Lora learned through the experience was to "Suck It Up": to make the effort required to do or deal with something difficult or unpleasant. If more of us knew how to "Suck It Up," we would be more mature and happier people.
Lora's book struck home with me in several ways. At times she is almost analyzing herself. I can relate to many of the question she asks herself, and the answers she comes up with. The relationship between mother and daughter is a difficult one at best; at times it is painful, heartbreaking and brings disillusionment. All the time it is one of love.
Suck It Up is a short book of a mere 111 pages, but it is a book big on the relationship between mother and daughter. When I first began reading this book I expected to read about a mother similar to the ones I knew through Little League. I was so wrong. This book has depth and yet is written with a sense of humor. All mothers should read this book.
Even before Kimberly was born she was in constant motion. Her mother, author Lora Coad, reminisces over the antics of Kimberly as she was growing up, from throwing the cat down the stairs to doing back flips everyday in the living room. As Kimberly grew older it became more difficult for Lora to understand her passion for gymnastics. The coaches finally convinced Lora that this wasn't just a phase; Kimberly was really good. As Kimi reached a higher level of competition, Lora struggled with her emotions. There were mothers who were constantly at the gym spouting the technical language and critiquing the coaches. Lora did not want to be that type of mother, and yet Kimi begged for her to always be there.
I admire Lora's sense of humor and her devotion to her children. Being a parent is not easy; accidents and disappointments go along with the triumphs. Lora may have hated the sport at times, but she supported her daughter through it all. When Lora shared how Kimberly felt her talent was a gift from God, my heart was warmed. Some are blessed with special talents, and we just can't always understand why. One of the most important lessons Lora learned through the experience was to "Suck It Up": to make the effort required to do or deal with something difficult or unpleasant. If more of us knew how to "Suck It Up," we would be more mature and happier people.
Lora's book struck home with me in several ways. At times she is almost analyzing herself. I can relate to many of the question she asks herself, and the answers she comes up with. The relationship between mother and daughter is a difficult one at best; at times it is painful, heartbreaking and brings disillusionment. All the time it is one of love.
Suck It Up is a short book of a mere 111 pages, but it is a book big on the relationship between mother and daughter. When I first began reading this book I expected to read about a mother similar to the ones I knew through Little League. I was so wrong. This book has depth and yet is written with a sense of humor. All mothers should read this book.
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