- Table View
- List View
I Was Told There'd Be a Village: Transforming Motherhood through the Power of Connection
by Melissa WirtMelissa Wirt recounts her journey and dozens of others in building a supportive &“village&” to transform oppressive, solitary motherhood into a connected—even joyful—endeavor. Melissa Wirt thought she had everything—she'd built her own company and moved to a beautiful farm with her family. Then during a personal crisis, she realized that despite having created an online community reaching thousands of moms, she&’d also somehow, become utterly isolated. In I Was Told There'd Be a Village, Melissa leads us through the small changes she made to seek out connection. She also recounts how she talked to mothers from across the country, and soon saw that the beliefs keeping each of us parenting solo – I don&’t have time; my life is too messy – were also keeping us from accessing our most powerful resource: each other. The stories she uncovered, combined with her own, became a foundation for slowly building back community. That journey starts with an intentional shift from an isolation mindset to a village mindset. It might be as simple as smiling at the mom next to you at story-time or sending a quick text to a friend. But it can be much bigger, eventually growing into a thriving, supportive community. Motherhood shouldn&’t be this hard, and it doesn&’t have to be. Here, at last, is a roadmap for finding your village.
I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids
by Amy Nobile Trisha AshworthI don't know how she does it! is an oft-heard refrain about mothers today. Funnily enough, most moms agree they have no idea how they get it done, or whether they even want the job. Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile spoke to mothers of every stripe--working, stay-at-home, part-time--and found a surprisingly similar trend in their interviews. After enthusing about her lucky life for twenty minutes, a mother would then break down and admit that her child's first word was "Shrek." As one mom put it, "Am I happy? The word that describes me best is challenged." Fresh from the front lines of modern motherhood comes a book that uncovers the guilty secrets of moms today . . . in their own words. I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids diagnoses the craziness and offers real solutions, so that mothers can step out of the madness and learn to love motherhood as much as they love their kids.
I Was a Teenage Alien
by Jane GreenhillOas is sent from her home planet of Zorca-twenty-three to rescue her brother Ralb from the worst humanoid known in the solar system--a teenage girl. With her traveling companions, Rotsen, a plant with an attitude who watches too many Sopranos reruns, and Lehcarr, a Venus Fly Trap with the habit of eating her friends, they set out to find Ralb. Traveling through a black hole, Oas is transformed from her ananoid shape into a teenage humanoid, becoming what she fears most--a teenager. They land in Bedrocktown to find the teenagers aren't as bad as they feared--they're worse. Zen her handler has warned her to stay away from pizza and popcorn but she tries both, with horrible results. She needs to find her brother, figure out how humans kiss, save the town from an E. coli outbreak, and meet Johnny Depp, not necessarily in that order. Then all she has to do is find her way home, but are her ties to Earth too strong?
I Went to See My Father
by Kyung-Sook ShinSoon after losing her own daughter in a tragic accident, Hon returns to her childhood home in the Korean countryside after many years away. Her father, a cattle farmer, is elderly and requires her care. He is withdrawn, kind but awkward around his own daughter. As time passes however, Hon realises that her father is far more complex than she ever realised. The discovery of a chest of letters and conversations with his family and friends help Hon piece together the tumultuous story of his life. She learns of her father's experiences during the Korean War and the violence of the 19th April Revolution; of a love affair and involvement in a religious sect; of his sacrifice and heroism and of the phantoms that haunt him. As she unravels secret after secret, Hon grows closer to her father, realising that his lifelong kindness belies a past wrought in both private and national trauma. More than just the portrait of one man, I Went to See My Father opens a window onto humankind, family, loss and war. It asks us to look at the ones we love, uncover the secrets they keep, and finally see who they really are. Flawlessly rendered by award-winning translator Anton Hur, Kyung-Sook Shin has crafted a novel both affectionate and epic, joyous and lasting.
I Will Blossom Anyway: A Novel
by Disha BoseA romantic coming-of-age story about one woman&’s inspiring journey to find self-love, reconnect with family, and forge a new path for her future, from the author of the Good Morning America Book Club pick Dirty LaundryDurga is named after the Bengali goddess—pure of heart, filled with goodness. But the goddess has an alter ego—fearless Kali, of fire and crackling with energy. The third of four children born to a middle-class Calcutta family, quiet Durga is surprisingly the first to leave the nest of her loving, overbearing family. She is not as charming as her older sister, Tia, as lighthearted as her brother, Arjun, or as clever as her younger sister, Parul. But when she arrives in Ireland to work at a tech company, she finds that for the first time ever she is free—to have fun, to stay out, to sample everything that life has to offer. Suddenly, Durga can be whoever she wants to be. And she wants it all. But freedom comes at a price. Durga falls in love with handsome, charismatic Jacob, and grows close with his sister, Joy, now Durga&’s flatmate and best friend. But when Jacob breaks up with Durga, she&’s unmoored. Will she stay in Ireland with her newfound identity and livelihood, or will she return to India, where she is comfortable? Perhaps neither option is enough. Durga must summon her inner Kali, the brave and fearless warrior, and fight for the life she truly desires.Modern, thought-provoking, and mirthful, I Will Blossom Anyway is a story about what it means to be caught between opposing worlds and the pressures and freedoms of millennial life, and what it really means to be a modern woman today—anywhere.
I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy
by Angie SmithIn 2008, Angie Smith and her husband Todd (lead singer of the group Selah) learned through ultrasound that their fourth daughter had conditions making her "incompatible with life." Advised to terminate the pregnancy, the Smiths chose instead to carry this child and allow room for a miracle. That miracle came the day they met Audrey Caroline and got the chance to love her for the precious two-and-a-half hours she lived on earth. Upon receiving the original diagnosis, Angie started a blog (Bring the Rain) to keep family and friends informed of their journey. Soon, the site exploded in popularity, connecting with thousands who were either experiencing their own heartbreaking situations or simply curious about how God could carry someone through something so tragic. I Will Carry You tells the powerful story of a parent losing her child, interwoven with the biblical story of Lazarus to help those who mourn to still have hope--to find grace and peace in the sacred dance of grief and joy.
I Will Come Back for You: A Family in Hiding During World War II
by Marisabina RussoWhat was it like to grow up Jewish in Italy during World War II? Sit with a little girl as her grandmother tells the story of her childhood in Rome, of being separated from her father, and of going into hiding in the mountains. Based on the experiences of the author's own family, this deeply moving book set during the Holocaust deals with a difficult subject in a way that is accessible and appropriate for young readers. I Will Come Back for You is an incredible story of bravery and kindness in the face of danger.From the Hardcover edition.
I Will Die On This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World
by Meghan Ashburn Jules EdwardsThere is a significant divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic children. Parents may feel attacked for their lack of understanding, and autistic adults who offer insight and guidance are also met with hostility and rejection. Meghan Ashburn, a mother of two autistic boys, and Jules Edwards, an autistic parent, were no strangers to this tension and had an adversarial relationship when they first met. Over time, the two resolved their differences and are now co-conspirators in the pursuit of disability justice. This book unites both perspectives, exploring the rift between these communities and encouraging them to work towards a common goal. It provides context to dividing issues, and the authors use their experience to illustrate where they've messed up, where they've got things right, and what they've learned along the way.
I Will Die On This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World
by Meghan Ashburn Jules EdwardsA call-to-action for anyone involved in the autism community - especially autistic people and non-autistic parents - to learn from one another and achieve more together.There is a significant divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic children. Parents may feel attacked for their lack of understanding, and autistic adults who offer insight and guidance are also met with hostility and rejection. Meghan Ashburn, a mother of two autistic boys, and Jules Edwards, an autistic parent, were no strangers to this tension and had an adversarial relationship when they first met. Over time, the two resolved their differences and are now co-conspirators in the pursuit of disability justice. This book unites both perspectives, exploring the rift between these communities and encouraging them to work towards a common goal. It provides context to dividing issues, and the authors use their experience to illustrate where they've messed up, where they've got things right, and what they've learned along the way. (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
I Will Love You
by Alyssa Satin CapucilliAuthor of the bestselling Biscuit series, Alyssa Satin Capucilli, tells a magical tale of parental love that every parent will want to share with their little one!In the very first moment, when you came to be, I looked at you, and you looked at me.I whispered these words as I held you near,for all time, for all space, for the world to hearI will love you."
I Will Love You Forever
by Caroline Jayne ChurchFrom Caroline Jayne Church, the mega bestselling illustrator behind I Love You Through and Through, Good Night, I Love You, and Ten Tiny Toes comes an instant classic in the making with a new padded storybook to treasure and share over and over again.With charming illustrations and poignant rhyming text, this tender story is a heartwarming reminder of the never ending love between a parent and child. A sweet message to share with little ones to let them know that whoever they become and wherever they go, they are cherished.When I saw you for the very first time, I was filled with joy that you were mine.I knew I would love you forever.Safe for all ages.
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato
by Lauren ChildLola is a fussy eater. A Very fussy eater. She won't eat her carrots (until big brother Charlie reveals that they are really orange twiglets from Jupiter). She won't eat her mashed potatoes (until Charlie explains they are cloud fluff from the pointiest peak of Mount Fuji). There are many, many things Lola absolutely will not eat, including- and especially- tomatoes. Or will she?
I Will Not Leave You Comfortless: A Memoir
by Jeremy JacksonThis memoir of “a happy childhood in rural Missouri just before the digital revolution [is] a sweet record of a time and a place that was not Always On.” —St. Louis Post-DispatchSpanning one year of the author’s life—1984—I Will Not Leave You Comfortless is the intimate memoir of a young boy coming to consciousness in small-town Missouri. The year will bring ten-year-old Jeremy first loves, first losses, and a break from the innocence of boyhood that will never be fully repaired. For Jeremy, the seeming security of his life on the family farm is forever shaken by the life-altering events of that pivotal year. Throughout, he recalls the deeply sensual wonders of his rural Midwestern childhood—bicycle rides in September sunlight; the horizon vanishing behind tall grasses—while stories both heart-wrenching and humorous, tragic and triumphant, Jackson weaves past, present, and future into the rich Missouri landscape.“I could smell the mulberries crushed underfoot and the sweet steam of the cinnamon roll Grandma heated in the toaster oven just for Jeremy, hear the ever-increasing volume of an approaching late-spring storm . . . The year of Jeremy Jackson’s life on which he meditates in I Will Not Leave You Comfortless marked his transition from the perfect happiness of childhood to the much more complex reality of adulthood. It records, as well, the abiding comfort that remains—family, home and love.” —Wichita Eagle“Jackson writes about Missouri as the young Hemingway wrote about Michigan: with a clear eye; with hard-edged nostalgia; and (here’s the thing) with brilliance.” —Darin Strauss, author of Half a Life
I Will Protect You: A True Story of Twins Who Survived Auschwitz
by Eva Mozes KorThe illuminating and deeply moving true story of twin sisters who survived Nazi experimentation, against all odds, during the Holocaust.Eva and her identical twin sister, Miriam, had a mostly happy childhood. Theirs was the only Jewish family in their small village in the Transylvanian mountains, but they didn't think much of it until anti-Semitism reared its ugly head in their school. Then, in 1944, ten-year-old Eva and her family were deported to Auschwitz. At its gates, Eva and Miriam were separated from their parents and other siblings, selected as subjects for Dr. Mengele's infamous medical experiments.During the course of the war, Mengele would experiment on 3,000 twins. Only 160 would survive--including Eva and Miriam.Writing with her friend Danica Davidson, Eva reveals how two young girls were able to survive the unimaginable cruelty of the Nazi regime, while also eventually finding healing and the capacity to forgive. Spare and poignant, I Will Protect You is a vital memoir of survival, loss, and forgiveness.
I Will Send Rain: A Novel
by Rae Meadows“A book about Oklahoma in the 1930s demands a spare . . . style to match the landscape. I Will Send Rain obliges . . . .evocative . . . timeless.” —New York Times Book ReviewAnnie Bell can’t escape the dust. It’s in her hair, covering the windowsills, coating the animals in the barn, in the corners of her children’s dry, cracked lips. It’s 1934 and the Bell farm in Mulehead, Oklahoma is struggling as the earliest storms of The Dust Bowl descend. All around them the wheat harvests are drying out and people are packing up their belongings as storms lay waste to the Great Plains. As the Bells wait for the rains to come, Annie and each member of her family are pulled in different directions. Annie’s fragile young son, Fred, suffers from dust pneumonia; her headstrong daughter, Birdie, flush with first love, is choosing a dangerous path out of Mulehead; and Samuel, her husband, is plagued by disturbing dreams of rain.With her warm storytelling and beautiful prose, award-winning author Rae Meadows brings to life an unforgettable family that faces hardship with rare grit and determination.“Meadows paints the Bell family’s desperation with compassion and warmth, and her precise language turns grit into gold.” —Emma Straub, New York Times–bestselling author of Modern Lovers“Meticulously researched, deeply felt, and beautifully written.” —Curtis Sittenfeld, New York Times–bestselling author of Prep and Eligible“A vibrant, absorbing novel.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review“An exceptional talent . . . Similar to John Steinbeck’s haunting portrait of tenant farmers in The Grapes of Wrath, but also with the gritty, bittersweet elements in Rilla Askew’s Harpsong and the poignant lyricism of Karen Hesse’s Out of the Dust.” —Booklist, starred review
I Wish I Had My Father
by Norma SimoneFrom the book: On the way home from school, Grace and I talk. "Don't you wish there was no Father's Day?" Grace asks me. "That's what I wish." "Not really," I tell her. "If my wish could come true, I'd have my father at least one day in the year."
I Wish I Had a Red Dress (Idlewild Ser. #2)
by Pearl CleageA New York Times–bestselling author “captures . . . the romantic tensions between . . . black adults as she weaves contemporary issues into a love story” (Booklist).Since Joyce Mitchell was widowed five years ago, she’s kept herself occupied by running the Sewing Circus, an all-girl group she founded to provide badly needed services to young women at risk, many of whom are single mothers. But some nights, home alone, she has to admit that something is missing. And soon she may not even have the Sewing Circus to fill up her life, as the state legislature has decided not to fund the group.Feeling defeated and pessimistic, Joyce reluctantly agrees to dinner at the home of her best friend, Sister, and finds not only a perfect meal but a tall, dark stranger named Nate Anderson. His unexpected presence touches a chord in Joyce that she thought her heart had forgotten how to play.Suddenly, Joyce feels ready to grab a sexy red dress and the life that goes with it . . . if she can keep her girls safe from the forces—useless boyfriends and government agencies—against them.“Inspirational, idealistic and spiritual.” —Publishers Weekly“Cleage captures the struggles, tensions, and “cosmic confusion” of the war between the sexes in her fictional African American community.” —Library Journal
I Wish I Knew: Lessons on love, life and family as you grow - the perfect gift for Mother’s Day
by Georgia KousoulouLessons on love, life and family as you grow - the first beautiful book from online agony aunt and TV star, Georgia Kousoulou.I wish I knew... the 2am night-feed silence is deafening how to find myself after becoming a mum that one day, I'd have all the courage I'd ever need'When I first became a mum, I lost my own identity for a while. It's almost expected that it's entirely what you become: Mum with a capital M. I wrote this book for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, alone or who needs to hear someone else saying what they are thinking! I Wish I Knew is everything I wish I had known, and so much more...'----In her honest, down-to-earth style (with nothing off-limits!) TV star and online agony aunt Georgia shares the lessons she's learnt about family, relationships and love. No matter how much time you have to delve in, you will find the perfect pick-me-up inside. Have a break with a short essay or dive into a longer chapter, all featuring Georgia's best pieces of advice at the end.Alongside Georgia's journey to motherhood and everything that comes with it - the ups and the downs - fill in your own thoughts in the book's journal section and share what you wish you had known, too.
I Wish I Knew: Lessons on love, life and family as you grow - the perfect gift for Mother’s Day
by Georgia KousoulouLessons on love, life and family as you grow - the first beautiful book from online agony aunt and TV star, Georgia Kousoulou.I wish I knew... the 2am night-feed silence is deafening how to find myself after becoming a mum that one day, I'd have all the courage I'd ever need'When I first became a mum, I lost my own identity for a while. It's almost expected that it's entirely what you become: Mum with a capital M. I wrote this book for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, alone or who needs to hear someone else saying what they are thinking! I Wish I Knew is everything I wish I had known, and so much more...'----In her honest, down-to-earth style (with nothing off-limits!) TV star and online agony aunt Georgia shares the lessons she's learnt about family, relationships and love. No matter how much time you have to delve in, you will find the perfect pick-me-up inside. Have a break with a short essay or dive into a longer chapter, all featuring Georgia's best pieces of advice at the end.Alongside Georgia's journey to motherhood and everything that comes with it - the ups and the downs - fill in your own thoughts in the book's journal section and share what you wish you had known, too.
I Wish I Was Sick, Too!
by Aliki Franz BrandenbergA sweet tale about kindness, jealousy, and fairness perfect for reading when a child is sick or well.Edward is sick and Elizabeth is well, and nothing could be more unfair! Edward gets to stay in bed and everyone treats him like a prince. Elizabeth has to get out of bed, get dressed, go to school, come home and do chores, finish her homework and practice the piano. "I wish I was sick too!" Elizabeth complains, and soon, to her dawning dismay, her wish is granted. Jealousy and kindness, fairness and responsibility, the passionate complaints and pleasures of childhood are well represented here by a close-knit and surprisingly intellectual cat family, drawn with good humor and sympathy by the illustrator-author couple, Aliki and Franz Brandenberg. The perfect book to read when you're sick, or when you're well and wish you were sick too.
I Wish I'd Known: Young People, Drugs and Decisions: A Guide for Parents and Carers
by Fiona Spargo-Mabbs'SUCH AN IMPORTANT BOOK... ESSENTIAL READING FOR PARENTS' Gabby Logan'INCREDIBLY POWERFUL... A MUST-READ' Victoria DerbyshireWhen Dan died, I realised many things. I realised drugs were closer to our door than I'd thought. I realised drugs have become normalised for young people. I realised drugs are more affordable, accessible and available than ever before. And I realised I didn't know enough, and nor did Dan, to navigate the choices and come back alive. When Daniel Spargo-Mabbs was 16, he went to a party and never came home. The party was an illegal rave and Daniel - bright, popular, big-hearted prom king Dan - died from a fatally strong overdose of MDMA.In the seven years since, the range of substances has become wider, the levels of exposure higher, and the threat to young people's physical and mental health from drugs greater than ever before. Despite this, there is almost no guidance for parents to help their children navigate this perilous landscape and to stay safe. To come home at night. To grow up.This book is everything Fiona Spargo-Mabbs wishes she'd known, everything she wishes she'd done, before she lost her son. Because however you parent, and whatever you do, at some point your child is likely to be in a situation where they have to make a decision about drugs. What if that decision is 'yes'? Do they know what the risks are? Do they have strategies they can bring to bear if things go wrong? I Wish I'd Known interweaves the story of one family's terrible loss with calm, measured and practical advice for parents. It explores the risks posed by illegal drugs, and explains the way the adolescent brain makes decisions. There is practical advice for saying safe, information on reducing harm, and 'talking points' for parents and their children to do, talk about, look at, look up or consider.A life lost to drugs is a loss like no other. Throughout the book, Daniel's story - his life, his death and what happened afterwards - not only provides a compelling reminder of the importance of those conversations, but also serves as an unforgettable eulogy to a son, brother, boyfriend and friend whose legacy continues to touch, and perhaps even save, the lives of other young people.
I Wish I'd Known: Young People, Drugs and Decisions: A Guide for Parents and Carers
by Fiona Spargo-Mabbs'SUCH AN IMPORTANT BOOK... ESSENTIAL READING FOR PARENTS' Gabby Logan'INCREDIBLY POWERFUL... A MUST-READ' Victoria DerbyshireWhen Dan died, I realised many things. I realised drugs were closer to our door than I'd thought. I realised drugs have become normalised for young people. I realised drugs are more affordable, accessible and available than ever before. And I realised I didn't know enough, and nor did Dan, to navigate the choices and come back alive. When Daniel Spargo-Mabbs was 16, he went to a party and never came home. The party was an illegal rave and Daniel - bright, popular, big-hearted prom king Dan - died from a fatally strong overdose of MDMA.In the seven years since, the range of substances has become wider, the levels of exposure higher, and the threat to young people's physical and mental health from drugs greater than ever before. Despite this, there is almost no guidance for parents to help their children navigate this perilous landscape and to stay safe. To come home at night. To grow up.This book is everything Fiona Spargo-Mabbs wishes she'd known, everything she wishes she'd done, before she lost her son. Because however you parent, and whatever you do, at some point your child is likely to be in a situation where they have to make a decision about drugs. What if that decision is 'yes'? Do they know what the risks are? Do they have strategies they can bring to bear if things go wrong? I Wish I'd Known interweaves the story of one family's terrible loss with calm, measured and practical advice for parents. It explores the risks posed by illegal drugs, and explains the way the adolescent brain makes decisions. There is practical advice for saying safe, information on reducing harm, and 'talking points' for parents and their children to do, talk about, look at, look up or consider.A life lost to drugs is a loss like no other. Throughout the book, Daniel's story - his life, his death and what happened afterwards - not only provides a compelling reminder of the importance of those conversations, but also serves as an unforgettable eulogy to a son, brother, boyfriend and friend whose legacy continues to touch, and perhaps even save, the lives of other young people.
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
by Milly Johnson*** A FESTIVE TREAT FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ***'An absolute joy. Like all of Milly's books it's packed with heart and humour and characters you fall in love with. I didn't want it to end' Jane Fallon, bestselling author of Queen Bee It&’s nearly Christmas and it&’s snowing, hard. Deep in the Yorkshire Moors nestles a tiny hamlet, with a pub at its heart. As the snow falls, the inn will become an unexpected haven for six people forced to seek shelter there… Mary has been trying to get her boss Jack to notice her for four years, but he can only see the efficient PA she is at work. Will being holed up with him finally give her the chance she has been waiting for? Bridge and Luke were meeting for five minutes to set their divorce in motion. But will getting trapped with each other reignite too many fond memories – and love? Charlie and Robin were on their way to a luxury hotel in Scotland for a very special Christmas. But will the inn give them everything they were hoping to find – and much more besides? A story of knowing when to hold on and when to let go, of pushing limits and acceptance, of friendship, love, laughter, mince pies and the magic of Christmas. Gorgeous, warm and full of heartfelt emotion, I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day is the perfect read this winter!Praise for I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day: 'Packed with her trademark warmth and wit, it&’s the perfect holiday read&’ heat 'Pure escapism' Woman & Home 'The perfect Christmas read!' My Weekly &‘Perfect escapism, love, laughter, snow, oodles of festive fun' Debbie Johnson, author of Maybe One Day &‘A new Milly Johnson novel – a festive one at that – is always welcome&’ Woman &‘Heart-warming&’ Choice &‘Guaranteed to put you in the Christmas mood&’ Woman & Home, Christmas Gift Guide &‘For anyone in need of a lift, Milly Johnson&’s feel-good read could be just the tonic&’ Yours Fiction Monthly 'The feel good treat of the year' UnderTheChristmasTree, Best Christmas Books
I Wish Someone Had Told Me: A Realistic Guide to Early Motherhood
by Nina BarrettThere's no shortage of "expert" advice for the new mother: books, doctors, and well-meaning grandmothers liberally give opinions on what you should be doing and how you should be feeling. But I Wish Someone Had Told Me is not a book of shoulds: it is a book about how women really handle the joys, the challenges, and the problems of being a mother. During the course of her interviews with more than sixty new moms, Nina Barrett made an important discovery. No one knows the secret: we are all putting our motherhood together from scratch. This collection of tales from the front addresses universal topics from labor (yes, it hurts), to marriage (babies may create a strain rather than a bond), to daycare (there is no Mary Poppins), to everyday life with a baby (what exactly does a newborn do all day?). This book by mothers for mothers will instill confidence in all new mothers who fear that every other mother knows something that they do not.
I Wish Sons Came With Instructions
by Harry RockefellerWithin these pages I hope you get to know me. Mostly, I hope you come to realize my intent to carry out my calling by God to raise my own sons to know their Heavenly Father. I enjoyed a good loving human father but only for the first 18 years of my life. Raising my sons had to be done without his help. But, rather than being at a disadvantage, I knew I had a great opportunity to lean on a promise to those in submission to the Holy God found in the pages of the Bible. He is "father of the fatherless". [Psalm 68:5]This book is not just about general principles: love God, abide in Christ, love your sons, be humble, deny yourself, etc. These are all important but here I share personal stories about dealing with my sons at all stages of life. My one-year-old woke up screaming from a nightmare. He's barely able to talk. What do I say or do? My 3-year-old loves his independence walking at his pace. Next, he decides he is big enough to carry a large package by himself out of a store. Should I let him try? When should I talk to my son about sex? What should I say? How concerned should I be about what he is being taught in public school? What should I do if it doesn't agree with what I actually want my son to be taught? How do I "teach" my adult son to think for himself about what is right or wrong, good or evil? All these questions and more are answered using real family stories. But, by themselves, my life stories, no matter how interesting, is not the main point. My Heavenly Father gave me the answers, so in these stories you will also find relevant Scripture.The main point is to cause something written here to resonate with you. Maybe a memory of something your Mom, Dad, or Grandma said to you when you were a child would suddenly fill your mind and, right now you would have a decision to make. Do I want to love my own son as I know I should? Am I being selfish if I spend this money in this way? Perhaps you need to make a decision. You may have more than one path ahead of you and don't know which way to turn. Should I open my Bible and pray for godly wisdom for myself and my wife in what to do with our son? If not for your sake, get close to your Heavenly Father for the sake of your son. Build a parenting foundation on the Word of God.I pray you would cultivate a relationship with your loving Heavenly Father and teach that to your own son.