Loving Parenting

 
Being a parent is not something anyone can adequately express in words, either spoken or written. Parenting is something that is as different and as unique for each parent as their child is unique from anyone else.   The most we can do as parents is to learn to love the moments, both good and bad, finding a way to  express our gratitude for the opportunity of being a parent.  I doesn't mother whether we call ourselves a mother or a father, there are some things we find we may have in common.   We struggle to find a balance between being able to provide unconditional love and being able to teach children what we want to know and love.  We try to find a balance between the moments of joy, fear, frustration and hope.  We experience a mix of memorable moments we never want to lose, confusion regarding the reason for certain behaviors and words and minutes in time we wish we could take back or forget ever occurred. 

Sometime as the years follow one after another we realize we are growing and learning at the same rate as our children.  They, as they grow decide whether they like being a child or want to grow up faster than we would desire.  We, as parents, also grow to decide if we like being a parent or can't wait for the time of childhood to disappear

For myself, I have found that I loved and still want to enjoy the opportunity of being a parent.  This decision to love being a parent, whether the times appear good or bad to myself or others, has helped me weather the storms of many family moments and choices my children have made.   It is because this decision has made such a difference for me in getting through some rough hours and days of parenthood, that I wanted to encourage others to find their own way to love being a parent, the ups the downs and the smooth paths in-between. 

"Loving Parenting" is a short book written with that hope of encouraging other parents to look at how they view their experience called parenting, and decide for themselves if they feel that loving the adventure will make a difference for them.  Some people may have made the decision years ago but because of changing circumstance need a friendly reminder of how to get back on track or begin anew.   

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00FCGVEMU

Sharing the News

OK, it has been two days since I shared the news here that I had published Bridges of Skills and that it was listed on Amazon.com for sale.  Both the paperback and the Kindle ebook version are available.  I already have two sales of the Kindle version (per the stats this morning).  I know one of them was my mother, but I am not sure who the other purchaser was. My hope is it is someone who will enjoy it and want to tell others about it.
I was already out of my comfort zone just in putting the book out for others to review and comment on.  I am praying that most of the comments and reviews will be positive.  Fear of rejection is what has kept me from sending these manuscripts to book agents or publishers.  So sharing this the way I have is far beyond what I thought I could do.  Yet as scary as it is for me, and as out of character from much of my past, I have found a great deal of joy in sharing this accomplishment with others. 
Last evening our ward had their annual Friends of Scouting donation drive kickoff event, a chili/soup cook-off.  At first I was hesitant to say anything, but when a friend asked how things were going at work I found I had not trouble saying although my work week had been tiring, actually completing the steps to publish a book and list it on Amazon.com had made my week exciting.  She was so excited for me, and promised to look for the book this next week to read.  I ended up sharing the news with about six of my friends and got the same reaction.  When told what the book was about, two of the ladies told me they would probably order it in the next week.  One of my friends, who I have just begun to really get to know, told me how much she admired me for handling so many challenges and still keeping a good attitude.  She said she couldn't wait to read about some of the skills I feel are useful.  
I posted the news on my favorite social media site in two family groups.  That was where my mother read about it.  So far I have only received to comments back, but then I know many in those group are not online on a regular basis.  So now it is time to share it one more time, with my online friends. I considered waiting until I had the second book online but I decided that there were enough friends who would share in my joy that waiting to share was falling back into my fear of acceptance by others.  So share I will, and as a second book is unfolded, I will share again.  While I learn new ways of sharing, I vow to enjoy the moments.  

Bridge of Skills is Now on Kindle

Time to take a deep breath.  I did it. I stopped  It was crazy, but I took the chance and decided to publish one of my self-help manuscripts as a book.  So after writing, rewriting, editing, reediting, convincing myself to not stress over whether anyone other than a few friends would even read it, formatting it to a book size page, purchasing ISBN numbers and writing a description and author bio I decided I needed to take the leap of faith.
 I know this first book is well written, and everyone I have ever shared it with in the past has found something of value and begged me to print them a copy to keep. I lost count of the people who have taken a copy of this home to share with a friend or neighbor.  I have even created my own comb-bound books just to see what it might be like.  Yet I have never sent it to a publisher or agent.  Why?  Fear of rejection by an "educated" expert.  Well, I have had the opportunity to reflect of a number of experiences lately, and realized, I have spent far too many years pretending to not know as much as the "educated" experts that I have worked with over the years.  I have also been inspired by my youngest sister to reach for our dreams and use our talents and experiences to touch the lives of others.
So after spending almost two years looking at different self-publishing companies,(Friesen, Outskirts, AuthorHouse, Lulu, BookLocker, among a few)  I finally decided to take a chance with Amazon.   So for several days I formatted, created, described, uploaded, priced, proofed, submitted and approved at CreateSpace to create a book for sale through Amazon.com.  Then I did it all again to add the choice as a Kindle e-book.
Tonight the e-book showed up in the Kindle store.  The print book takes a few more days before it is available, but I am still so excited tonight I can hardly sit still.  I showed it to two of my children this evening and to one of my grandchildren, who were all excited for me.  Now I want to get the next three books completed as soon as possible.  Anyone have ideas for a good cover picture that has to do with parenting?  I think that is the next one that is ready to go.  Wish me luck.  

If you would like to know more about the book, follow this link for the Kindle edition:  http://www.amazon.com/Bridge-of-Skills-ebook/dp/B00F9310HU/ref=sr_1_22?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379468252&sr=1-22&keywords=bridge+of+skills