Parenting is not easy. One size does not fit all. It takes work.
The great thing about parenting is something new and amazing pops up when you least expect it.
When my daughter was four years old she brought me a glass of grape juice in a wine glass. The memory is seared in my mind. It was summer and I was sitting outside exhausted after working a night shift. She knew I was tired. I looked up to see her coming down the stairs to the backyard carefully holding a wine glass half full of grape juice. My heart melted.
Life is full of memories. Like when she accidentally pulled the Christmas tree down. We tied it to the banister after that!
What memories do you have that make you smile?
Do you have any goals that you have put on the back burner? Will you have regrets if you don’t pursue them?
In 2015, I was sitting at work wondering what my next book would be. I write children’s books. The name Elliot flashed in my mind. I don’t know anyone by that name. I researched the meaning of the name. It means Jehovah. I remember thinking that I needed a girl’s name, as well. The name Emma popped into my mind. I researched the name. It means nurse. All the hairs on the back of my head stood up! I am a nurse! Imagine that! Jehovah and a nurse working together on a new book! I remember walking over to my colleague Todd, and asking him how he helps his son present in class. He said, “I tell him to be prepared so as not to be scared.” I went home and wrote the first chapter of the book Nine Ways to Empower Tweens with Emma and Elliot, You learn more from your mistakes than from all your successes.
This book won three awards. In 2017, I sent it to the Benjamin Franklin Awards. The judges suggested ways to improve the book.
It has taken me almost two years to enhance the book! I shortened the title to Nine Ways to Empower Tweens #LIFESKILLS. It will be online in the next few days. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hhbyv5nt
Why did I improve the book even though it won awards?
I want tweens and their parents, caregivers, and teachers to benefit from using the added exercises at the back of each chapter. My intention is to have the book in schools so that tweens have easy access to it.
My desire is to empower tweens with life skills that will serve them into adulthood. My children watch everything I do. They are unstoppable, too!
Lead by example. Pursue your dreams! Live without regrets!