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Beautiful Nate: A Memoir of a Family's Love, a Life Lost, and Heaven's Promises
By Dennis Mansfield. 2013
HOPE and COMPASSION for FAMILIES Beautiful Nate offers valuable insights into what went wrong in a dedicated Christian family and…
how things might have gone differently—giving parents direction for raising their own children in a troubled world. Exploring the differences between fear-based parenting, child-centered parenting, and healthy intentional parenting, author Dennis Mansfield shares hard-earned wisdom and powerful ideas on what children need. Whether you’re in the midst of parenting small children or have experienced the heartbreak of a child gone astray, you’ll find guidance and hope for your journey in this poignant, real-life story. *** Even when you follow all the rules, LIFE CAN GO VERY WRONG. . . Dennis Mansfield and his wife Susan planned for and expected every parent’s dream but instead lived every parent’s nightmare. This haunting memoir tells the story of a father who diligently followed all the parenting rules that he learned from conservative Christian “experts”; yet life with his son Nate went terribly wrong when the young man died at twenty-seven of drug-related causes. It wasn’t that the principles Dennis followed were faulty; it was that the promised guarantee turned out to be void. The author, a national leader in the pro-family movement of the 1990s, reveals what did and did not work in raising a child within the evangelical framework. But rather than losing his faith and abandoning the God he’d trusted, Dennis eventually found new joy and purpose—with a more compassionate and realistic view of the roles parents play and the rules they follow. As you read this sobering yet refreshing account, you will find direction for your own parenting style and encouragement after life’s disappointments. midst of parenting small children or have experienced the heartbreak of a child gone astray, you’ll find guidance and hope for your journey in this poignant, real-life story.The Water Giver: The Story of a Mother, a Son, and Their Second Chance
By Joan Ryan. 2009
Both a medical drama and meditation on motherhood, The Water Giver is Joan Ryan's honest account of her doubts and…
mistakes in raising a learning-disabled son and the story of how his near-fatal accident gave her a second chance as a parent. Joan Ryan tells the powerful story of how her son&’s near-fatal accident, and his struggle to become whole again, gave her a second chance to become the mother she had always wished she could be.• Acclaimed journalist and author: Joan Ryan&’s sports columns earned her thirteen Associated Press Sports editors Awards, the National Headliner Award, and the Women&’s Sports Foundation&’s Journalism Award, among other honors. Her first book, Little Girls in Pretty Boxes: The Making and Breaking of Elite Gymnasts and Figure Skaters was named one of the Top 100 Sports Books of all Time by Sports Illustrated.• Medical drama: When Ryan&’s sixteen-year-old son fell off of a skateboard, it wasn&’t obvious at first how serious his injuries were. With a journalist&’s eye for the telling detail and the rhythms of a natural storyteller, she captures his medical ordeal as he lurches from crisis to crisis—and with harrowing honesty and astonishing insight, relates her own journey through unknown emotional terrain.• A mother&’s story: Ryan&’s son was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction as a toddler; by the time he reached school age, it was clear that he suffered from ADHD and other learning disabilities. Though she loved him fiercely, she never stopped trying to fix him. When he is restored to her after his accident, she realizes she has the opportunity to be his mother all over again—only this time she lets go of the illusion of control. Now she not only accepts, but also embraces her son for who he really is.In a world of extreme makeovers, this book is a thoughtful, adventure-filled, witty look at what the space we live…
in says about us, the pleasures of home renovation projects great and small, and how home renovation can change our lives. Few things define us as powerfully as the place where we live. The size and location of a house may reveal basic facts about our financial or social status, but it is the personal touches -- a paint color or a homemade desk -- that reflect our aspirations, our tastes, our secret desires. In Sheetrock & Shellac, David Owen recounts his renovation and home construction projects in small-town Connecticut -- from catching the home improvement bug while watching workmen replacing a leaky roof to his first tentative foray into DIY (successfully building an enclosure for a bathroom radiator that had "turned into a sort of low-tech factory for converting splattered urine into odor and dust"). As his skill grows, so does his confidence: replacing a broken light switch turns into wiring an entire room, making bookcases is followed by building an office. Some of the more overly imaginative projects -- for instance, an ambition to install sinks and hot and cold faucets in all the rooms of the house -- never come to fruition but are amusingly recounted for other intrepid home designers. Owen's two-hundred-year-old farmhouse provides numerous occasions for home improvement projects, and layers (literally) of fascination. Owen quickly learns the hard way when to tackle a project himself and when to turn for help. But soon he's so comfortable with the undertaking that he decides to take the big leap from renovation to building a completely new home from the ground up. In this case, Owen decides to build a weekend cabin a mere six miles away from his home. From a discourse on kitchen countertop materials to the complete history of concrete, to a near-disastrous mishap with a tree, a newly constructed roof, and an overzealous chainsaw, Owen's journey through home designing and building proves both enthrallingly educating and hilariously detailed. New Yorker writer Owen's engaging narrative, filled with a wealth of practical information, hands-on tips, and canny insights, explores the ways in which the human processes of construction and renovation leave all the parties transformed. More than a simple how-to, Sheetrock & Shellac is a why-to, a wellspring of savvy advice and encouragement for anyone who has ever contemplated changing their surroundings and changing their life.Hugs: 365 Devotions to Inspire Your Day
By Howard Books. 2009
'Heidi was a godsend when it came to my daughter's sleep' - Chloe MadeleyStart the first few months of your…
baby's life with confidence and learn how to encourage your baby to get healthy sleep with baby sleep expert Heidi Skudder. With 19 years of hands-on experience working with and empowering families, combined with a coaching and psychology background, alongside her own journey as a mother of two sons and a recently born daughter, she has helped thousands of babies to sleep successfully.Now Heidi is here to empower and guide parents as they navigate the so-called 'fourth trimester' (the first 3-4 months of baby's life). Heidi's approach is gentle - there is no leaving baby to cry, or strict routines to follow, rather a holistic approach that includes things like bedtime rituals, advice on feeding, reflux, napping, routines and everything else that might affect how your baby sleeps.With easy to follow tips and advice, Your Positive Baby Sleep Book is the ultimate baby sleep guide to help busy mums and dads encourage a happy sleeper and create a calm family atmosphere.There's an old-fashioned solution to the problem of fresh produce going bad. Store fruits and veggies in a root cellar…
or other cold storage location! This book provides you with step-by-step plans on how to build a root cellar--or utilize the one you've got. Professional farmer Catherine Abbott teaches you:How to effectively organize your root cellarWhere to store fruits and vegetables in unconventional placesWhat the best fruits and vegetables are for storingWays to preserve, dry, and freeze a variety of foods to enjoy all winter longRecipes for fresh fruits, berries, veggies, and herbs to cook all year round Featuring illustrations for building root cellars as well as a full nutritional breakdown for all 150 recipes, you will love this comprehensive guide. Before long, you'll know how to provide yourself and your family with great nutritious foods all year long!'Heidi was a godsend when it came to my daughter's sleep' - Chloe MadeleyStart the first few months of your…
baby's life with confidence and learn how to encourage your baby to get healthy sleep with baby sleep expert Heidi Skudder. With 19 years of hands-on experience working with and empowering families, combined with a coaching and psychology background, alongside her own journey as a mother of two sons and a recently born daughter, she has helped thousands of babies to sleep successfully.Now Heidi is here to empower and guide parents as they navigate the so-called 'fourth trimester' (the first 3-4 months of baby's life). Heidi's approach is gentle - there is no leaving baby to cry, or strict routines to follow, rather a holistic approach that includes things like bedtime rituals, advice on feeding, reflux, napping, routines and everything else that might affect how your baby sleeps.With easy to follow tips and advice, Your Positive Baby Sleep Book is the ultimate baby sleep guide to help busy mums and dads encourage a happy sleeper and create a calm family atmosphere.With decades of knowledge and proven, common-sense methods from “The Barefoot Farmer,” this practical guide to biodynamic principles and practices…
will appeal to growers of every scale and experience level. In Barefoot Biodynamics, organic grower Jeff Poppen—“The Barefoot Farmer”—combines tales from his personal history in rural Tennessee with the practical applications of biodynamic principles and the deep aspects of the biodynamic methods that continue to make his farm a success today. Jeff’s friendly, direct, and humorous writing will appeal not only to the biodynamic-curious, but also to farmers and gardeners who have experimented with the biodynamic approach and are looking for a deeper understanding of the practice. Rooted in the teachings of biodynamic pioneer Rudolf Steiner, Jeff’s unique insights and deep reflections on “guiding lines” of biodynamic growing are an invaluable resource. Those “guiding lines” include: producing a farm’s fertility using cover crops, compost, and other on-farm inputs enjoying the renewing power of farm festivals augmenting scientific knowledge with the power of observation and intuition avoiding chemical fertilizers understanding that carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen make up 95 percent of the physical structure of plants and are freely available in the air around us enhancing the availability of critical minerals such as silica and lime through good farming practices building humus-rich soil teeming with microbial life using homeopathic preparations to heal and enrich the soil In addition, Jeff walks the reader through the eight lectures on farming given by Steiner in 1924, summarizing important points from each lecture and “translating” them from Steiner’s profound yet sometimes impenetrable vocabulary into plain language. In Barefoot Biodynamics, Jeff provides new insight into these enigmatic lectures, revealing an often overlooked yet cost-effective farming method rooted in common sense.Hedgelands [US Edition]: A wild wander around Britain’s greatest habitat
By Christopher Hart. 2024
On this joyous journey around the wild edges of Britain, celebrated author Christopher Hart takes us through the life, ecology…
and history of the humble countryside hedge and how it is inextricably woven into our language, landscape and culture. Hedges – or hedgerows – have long been an integral part of the British landscape. An ancient, human-made boundary, hedgerows have become a critically important haven for wildlife and are now being recognised as one of the greatest ‘edge’ habitats on Earth. Britain boasts 400,000 kilometres of hedgerows, but has lost 50 per cent of them since the Second World War and their slow deterioration today is becoming a huge threat to the ecosystem. In Hedgelands, Christopher Hart shares the history of the hedge, highlighting the hawthorn and hazel of ancient hedgerows, and reveals its abundance of wildlife, from the elusive dunnock to the iconic nightingale, the industrious hedgehog to the miniscule harvest mouse. He demonstrates how this true environmental hero and powerful climate ally can help rebuild species-rich, resilient havens for birds, mammals and insects. Hedges play a vital role in mature woodland, grassland and even wetland, all of which can offer us much-needed ecological diversity and carbon sequestration. Through rewilding a patch of land in southwest England, Christopher shows us how easy, joyful and rewarding it is to restore even the smallest stretch of hedge. Whether you live in the country or the city, Hedgelands shares how simple actions can make a huge difference to the future of our precious hedges – and environment. “What’s good for us is good for nature, and what’s good for nature is good for us. And nowhere is this more true than in the bustling, flourishing, flowering, fruiting and altogether glorious native British hedge.”—Christopher HartThe Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit
By Jill Conner Browne. 2008
When does 1 + 1 = 3 (or more)? When you've got a baby on the way. Part of that…
new math, says #1 New York Times bestselling author Jill Conner Browne -- whom USA Today calls "just plain funny" -- includes the addition of an outsize sense of humor to balance the equation of your growing family. The Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit is a hilarious (though not scientifically tested) wink at the time-honored mysteries of parenting, because anybody who has ever had a kid or has ever known one knows that the experience is neither fun nor profitable -- so you might as well laugh! As each generation begins its hopeful, happy, and, yes, sometimes harrowing journey as Parent and Child, together they spawn a new body of "knowledge," the nuances of which will elude the Experts every time. Here are stories of the things we do for Mother Love -- or, the most incredibly full-time volunteer job ever -- and tips guaranteed not to be found in any other parenting guide. How to talk to a pregnant womanHow the diamonds on delivery policy can speed up the labor nature intendedWhy a good mother is always adept at subterfugeThe list of things you wouldn't think you would have to tell kids not to doWhy mothers of sons can never retireWhy, for parents, it's just a short drive to the poorhouse The Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit will have everyone who's ever been a parent -- or has ever thought of becoming one -- or has ever been a child -- or is still one -- giggling and grinning (no small feat) through those childbearing years...and beyond.Motherhood, Rescheduled: The New Frontier of Egg Freezing and the Women Who Tried It
By Sarah Elizabeth Richards. 2013
What would happen if we could stop time? A fascinating, inside look at five women who had their eggs frozen…
reveals what it&’s like for them to be free of the constant ticking of their biological clocks.How would you live your life if you could stop your biological clock? If you could be free of the "baby panic" that has tormented an entire generation of women who postponed motherhood to pursue careers or find the right mate? Would you date better? Marry later? Relax more? In Motherhood, Rescheduled, journalist Sarah Elizabeth Richards tells the stories of four women—including herself—who attempt to turn back time by freezing their eggs and chart a new course through their thirties and forties. Their journeys are bumpy, hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, but always rewarding.Just a decade ago, the idea of women freezing their eggs seemed futile or dangerous. But with new advances in medicine, women who choose this route face no higher risk of birth defects in their babies than other women, and pregnancy rates using frozen eggs are approaching those using fresh eggs. At a time when one in five American women between the ages of forty and forty-four is childless and half of those women say they wish they could have children, Richards offers a hopeful message: women approaching the end of their babymaking days do not need to settle, and even twentysomethings who want to prolong their dating years do not need to fret.Richards tells the history of this controversial science, from its moments of premature enthusiasm to the exciting race that led to the big breakthroughs. She also explores the hard facts of egg freezing—from the cost and practical obstacles to the probabilities of success. Above all, she shares the stories of these women, and especially her own, with emotional honesty and compassion, and makes the journey for all ultimately redeeming.Longing for a kinder, gentler world? As the old saying goes, everything begins at home, and odds are, if you…
live in the all-American household, the air inside is more toxic than the air outside, even if you live in the most polluted of cities. You regularly handle the filthiest object in your home -- the kitchen sponge -- and put the same chemicals on your face that are used in brake fluid and antifreeze. The cleaning agents and personal care products commonly marketed to and used in American homes contain not only some very dangerous, toxic chemicals, but they also create an "overly clean," chemically bombed-out house that compromises immune systems. And with more than fifty million Americans suffering from allergies and other autoimmune diseases -- not to mention the developing and fragile immune systems of children and seniors -- large numbers of people are actually being made sicker and sicker by their homes. Learn to live a clean, healthy, more economical way with Ellen Sandbeck, the nontoxic avenger. In this must-have book for the twenty-first- century home, this passionate, witty advocate of all things organic will teach you how to maintain every part of the home -- from living room to septic tank, kitchen floor to bathroom sink -- using safe, simple cleansers and quick preventative measures as well as the most effective organic products on the market to get the job done. Learn time-saving, preventative housekeeping, such as taking thirty seconds to clean the shower while you shower. Take care of bathroom stains with baking soda and vinegar rather than commercial, toxic bathroom "bombs" peddled to you with such force by manufacturers. Need whiter whites? There is no bleaching power on earth stronger than the sun. Snow clean your fine rugs. Choose fruits and vegetables from the relatively pesticide residue-free list. Clean felt-tipped pen stains with vodka. Make furniture shine with olive oil and lemon. Your house will also smell as great as it looks.Is your mom your best friend? Or your biggest fan? Your loyal confidante? No matter what she means to you,…
Mom is always the one you turn to when you need a shoulder to cry on, sound advice, and unconditional love. And there's no better way to pay tribute to the most exceptional woman in your life than with this touching and poignant collection.Inside, you'll meet fifty mothers, daughters, and sons who celebrate the mother-child bond by sharing heartfelt and personal stories--from tales of new mothers to adult children who are longtime parents themselves before they truly realize the abiding strength of a mother's love.Featuring narratives by and for mothers, this newest volume in the Cup of Comfort series is the perfect gift to remind her that every day is Mother's Day.The Sensory Child Gets Organized: Proven Systems for Rigid, Anxious, or Distracted Kids
By Carolyn Dalgliesh. 2013
The only book that teaches the parents of “sensory” kids how to organize and empower their children for greater success…
at home, at school, and in life.Silver Winner, National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA)—Parenting ResourcesGold Honoree, Mom’s Choice Awards—Parenting–Special and Exceptional NeedsEvery year, tens of thousands of young children are diagnosed with disorders that make it difficult for them to absorb the external world. Parents of sensory kids—like those with sensory processing disorder, anxiety disorder, AD/HD, autism, bipolar disorder, and OCD—often feel frustrated and overwhelmed, creating stress in everyday life for the whole family. Now, with The Sensory Child Gets Organized, there’s help and hope.As a professional organizer and parent of a sensory child, Carolyn Dalgliesh knows firsthand the struggles parents face in trying to bring out the best in their rigid, anxious, or distracted children. She provides simple, effective solutions that help these kids thrive at home and in their day-to-day activities, and in this book you’ll learn how to:-Understand what makes your sensory child tick -Create harmonious spaces through sensory organizing -Use structure and routines to connect with your child -Prepare your child for social and school experiences -Make travel a successful and fun-filled journeyWith The Sensory Child Gets Organized, parents get an easy-to-follow road map to success that makes life easier—and more fun—for your entire family.Help your child feel confident and capable!If your child has been given a diagnosis of anxiety, you may be feeling…
overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. With The Conscious Parent's Guide to Childhood Anxiety, you will learn how to take a relationship-centered approach to parenting that engages your child and ensures that he succeeds behaviorally, socially, and cognitively. Conscious parenting is about being present with your child and taking the time to understand how to help him flourish. By practicing this mindful method, you can support your child emotionally and help nurture his development.This easy-to-use guide helps you to:Communicate openly with your child about anxietyBuild a supportive home environmentDetermine your child's anxiety triggersLearn strategies that will help your child release anxiety and feel calmTeach your child long-term coping skillsDiscipline your child without increasing his anxietyEducate and work with teachers and school officialsWith The Conscious Parent's Guide to Childhood Anxiety, you will learn to create a calm and mindful atmosphere for the whole family, while helping your child feel competent, successful, and healthy.celebraTORI: Unleashing Your Inner Party Planner to Entertain Friends and Family
By Tori Spelling. 2012
“I love the puzzle of throwing special, chic parties with down-to-earth budgets, and lucky you, I’m psyched to share my…
secrets.”Tori Spelling planned her very first party (her own roller skate–themed birthday with a hot-pink- and-turquoise color scheme) at the age of eight, and she’s been hosting friends and family in her home ever since. She knows as well as anyone that “style” and “elegance” don’t often play well with “budget.” Well, with celebraTORI, she rolls up her sleeves and turns that notion on its head—expertly showing how creativity, passion, and smart planning are the secret ingredients for throwing a truly unforgettable bash on any “real world” budget. All it takes is a little elbow grease and a lot of imagination to transport your guests to another world as soon as they walk through the door. In this delightfully entertaining, must-have party companion, Tori shares all the tips and tricks she’s learned from her most successful soirees (and a few train wrecks). It’s like having your own personal party planner for a fraction of the cost! celebraTORI is not just instructional, it’s inspirational. Hosting an event is not about ticking to-dos off a list; it’s about turning an organic idea into a fun day you and your guests won’t forget—so much so that you just can’t wait to do it again . . . with a different theme, of course. Tori covers all the basics, from discovering new reasons to celebrate and choosing a concept, to decorating, creating flower arrangements, making refreshments, and building the corner-stone of any great party: the dessert table! The best part is that all of her suggestions, including her mouthwatering recipes, are 100 percent do-it-yourself. Filled with lots and lots of great advice, handy blueprints, and hilarious anecdotes, celebraTORI will be the most important guest at your next party. It’s the perfect foundation for taking life’s special occasions up a notch . . . or five. ***They say the devil’s in the details, but for me the details are heaven. Maybe an avid planner and host like me should say that in the course of the party I’m on a cloud of joy, but that would be a lie. Planning and preparing are my favorite parts of the process. Truth be told, when it comes to the actual parties, I’m a nervous wreck. But there is a moment of joy. Mine comes when I see the party come together. The guests are flowing through the space, tasting food, trying out any activities, having conversations with friends and strangers. And when I see someone take a bite of dessert, or try out a photo booth costume, or smile as they pick up a favor, well, that makes it all worth it. Creating a party. It’s my favorite thing to do, and I’m inviting you, as my guest, to join me in the festivities. I know we’re going to have fun. Come—discover your inner party planner! Love, ToriNo need to curb your big appetite in a tiny home—here are 175 recipes uniquely designed to be made in…
the micro-kitchens of tiny homes and apartments.Tiny homes are the next big thing—frequently featured in HGTV shows such as Tiny House, Big Living and in popular lifestyle publications such as Good Housekeeping, tiny homes are gaining popularity for their economic and ecological sensibility. But with tiny homes come tiny kitchens—according to the Tiny House Blog, many tiny homes have only two burner stove tops, a mini-fridge, and no microwave or oven. At first glance, this may seem like a challenge, but Tiny House Cooking proves how easy cooking in a tight space can be! Featuring 50 beautiful full-color photos of tantalizing finished recipes and a foreword by tiny house living expert Ryan Mitchell, Tiny House Cooking includes 175 recipes especially designed for the pocket-sized abode—none of the recipes require an oven, microwave, toaster oven, freezer, full-sized refrigerator, or any other extraneous device—as well as information on essential equipment, space-saving ideas, and innovative ways to reduce and recycle creative waste. Find delicious new ideas for breakfast, sandwiches, appetizers, snacks, main dishes, desserts—and more!—all only using two pots at most.Ask Me What's for Dinner One More Time: Inappropriate Thoughts on Motherhood
By Meredith Masony. 2020
From the founder of That&’s Inappropriate—one of the most popular parenting blogs on the web—comes a hilarious, genuine, and relatable…
essay collection on the ups and downs of motherhood. Meredith Masony founded That&’s Inappropriate in 2014 as an innocent and humorous way to chronicle her chaotic days as a working mom, child wrangler, and busy wife. It soon evolved into a massive, dynamic community of parents—now nearly three million strong—brought together by their shared belief that parenthood and marriage don&’t have to be perfect.Now, in Ask Me What&’s for Dinner One More Time, Meredith shares her collection of witty essays on the universal frustrations of being a mom in today&’s world, presenting her laugh-out-loud perspective on sex, aging, anxiety, friendship, and much more. Perfect for fans of Jenny Lawson, Laura Clery, and Jen Mann, these essays provide laughter, relief, validation, and &“a metaphorical hug for all of those moments you spend crying on your bathroom floor, thinking that you are failing at the hardest job on the planet.&”Backtalk: 4 Steps to Ending Rude Behavior in Your Kids
By Audrey Ricker, Carolyn Crowder. 1998
"So what? All the other kids get to do it!"Few behavioral problems challenge and frustrate parents, caregivers, and teachers as…
does verbal rudeness in children of any age. Reinforced by the wise-cracking kids on TV and in the movies, backtalk has become all too common among today's youngsters. But there is nothing cute about this behavior. Remarks like "Yeah, right," "Big deal," and "Make me" -- form children as young as three -- get in the way of real communication between parents and kids, and can also be detrimental to a child's social and intellectual development.Now two experts in the field share their simple and specific four-step program for ending backtalk and restoring balance in relationships between parents and children, from preschoolers to teens. You'll learn how to recognize backtalk, how to choose and enact a response that will make sense to you and the backtalker, and when to disengage from the struggle and move forward. Full of advice and encouragement as well as suggestions on how to keep track of what works and what doesn't, Backtalk can be put to use immediately, before you hear another "Whatever."Working Mom's Survival Guide
By Paula Peters. 2009
More women than ever before are going back to work soon after having a baby. And no matter what their…
job, making the transition from home to work can be really challenging. Whether dealing with day-to-day dilemmas like spitup on their power suits or big-picture problems like the cost of child care, new moms need relief! Written in a friendly and encouraging tone, this guide is all a stressed-out mother needs to organize her life so everyoneÆs happyùincluding herself! From prebaby planning to after-baby adjustments, this book covers it all, including: FMLA and maternity leaveTemporary schedules and career planningJob changesChild careResponsibilities at home Caring for yourselfConsidering a new jobChoosing to quitDealing with unexpected or special challengesWith this book by their side, new mothers can have their careersùand be great moms, too!