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Abbreviated transcript of internet book discussion
Sponsored by HBWM.com (Home-Based Working Moms)
S: It occurred to me on rereading that some
of the same principles of parent- child relationships can be applied to
teacher-student or administrator-teacher relationships.
J: Yes, Scott, I was going to say that. I am a teacher and can apply much of Jeanie's lessons to the classroom
S: I've found that returning to parts of the book is really a grounding/centering experience. A dose of common sense.
N: The way you had the girls develop an awareness of the nature around them was such a lifelong lesson.
M: I liked that the unified front in public helped the kids feel trust for their parents.
F: I've been a scout leader on occasion and getting children to "reason", self analyze, communicate and discover the world is part of scouting. Jeanie's book is very useful in that respect
S: Developing your own foundation in later life is one of the fine lessons of the book. I know it's been an important one for me.
MM: The nice part of a strong foundation is that it can be altered and changed without guilt
I: I agree wholeheartedly about developing one's own foundation. I've found many of the things I've tried to nurture in myself as an adult in Jeanie's book.
T: And, it's important to continue to build one's foundation as an adult...as Jeanie says, we are our own adults and at some point need to take on that role of foundation builder.
M: I believe that awareness is the key to rebuilding and refining our foundations.
M: That reminds me! I loved the logic - emotion balance that Jeanie described so well in so many different circumstances throughout the book.
S: Just that Jeanie's point is that they are linked, requiring some kind of interplay between them. The usual orthodoxy, it seems, is to label people as being either logical or emotional---a false dichotomy. Does that make sense?
MT: Jeanie..what's the most important piece of advice you would give to new parents?
Jeanie: Michelle, to new parents, I'd say be intentional and make your choices consciously rather than default. And spend the time knowing the game plan. And don't overlook the game plan for self and making conscious choices there, too. Requires reflection.
MT: That's one things many parents don't do, they tend to go on default ..that's excellent advice..thanks Jeanie
MT: We are planning another child and your book gave some wonderful insights on how I can do things a bit differently this time around
HBWM: I agree Jeanie ... knowing what you will do as parents helps the kids learn not only the decisions to make but also how to make the decisions.
T: Jeanie-what was your favorite chapter to write?
Jeanie: Tater, one of my most favorite chapters is the story about my Daddy and the stars - a dollar for every star - and the lovely insight that his Mama had.
T: I liked that too...what made it your favorite?
Jeanie: That was one of my most favorites because I think it so powerful and I see the power of words every day and how words can do all kinds of things from help to hurt.
M: Chi-Mama... One part of the book I also appreciated was the part that we can't judge ourselves too harshly historically. We have to make the best decisions now with the info that we have now...
CM: Good point Meg. I think that that chapter emphasized the journey of life.
MA: I liked the part that we are all individuals on our own journey.
T: What I liked most about Jeanie's book is that we can lead our children but they become their own adults. Seems that as adults, many people of our generation "blame" their parents/upbringing for their current difficulties.
M: I just feel compelled to say how thankful that I am that Jeanie's book came to me at this point in my life. I hope we all feel that. It has been a blessing.
T: Jeanie's book gave me just as much insight into being a grown-up child as it did in being a parent|
M: On the theme of interacting with your child... I like that Jeanie described interactions of all sorts~ beyond just the "how was your day, dear?" sorts of things.
T: She really KNEW her kids...you could tell in the book that it was important to her.
T: I'm glad to have read her book while my kiddos are still 'little'--Jeanie's my new parenting role-model.
R: Jeanie - Do you have plans for other books?
Jeanie: rwx - yes, three more, all with Life Teachings - Communicating, Preparing to Work, Leadership - kind of stages of life
M: I would think that each of Jeanie's books will generate good spousal discussions.
CM: Again to get back to the book, don't you think that the key is approaching it (if possible) as a conscious project that you can devote time and energy to?
NA: Exactly-that is the basic point.
M: That's exactly why I loved the template.
MM: It does seem to be the key, if you do that you at least have the approach down
R: Jeanie viewed her kids as gifts and I believe treated them that way.
I: I also see the template as a way of measuring what kind of adult I am, whether or not I've learned enough before I could raise children. Don't know if that makes sense...
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