It wasn’t long before I realized that reading parenting books only put limits on gaining invaluable parenting skills.
Today Israel and I were talking about all the books I read. (Again. Yes, this is an ongoing subject in our house. Though, slowly, I’m converting these five people in my world into readers. And I press on toward the high calling…) Somehow we got on the topic of what genre fills most of our shelves.
Interesting, while parenting books fill twice the number of shelves in our home, I’ve read mostly other genres over the past 20 years. Business and leadership. Self-help. Ministry. Military strategy. Books written by surgeons and doctors regarding the health industry. Philosophy. Autobiographies and biographies.
Of course, there’s a plethora of fiction (delicious brain candy) sprinkled throughout — though I have a long-standing policy that the fiction I read has to either 1) be on the reading list of the Book Club I’m in or 2) be recommended by a trusted source. smile.
Here’s the thing, I’ve obsessed — yes, I’m intentionally using that word — over my mission of motherhood. This platform of parenthood in which I take the whole business of training and shaping the character of another human being — yeah, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
So, one of my dreams is to take the books I’ve read over the last 20 years and put them in condensed form.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an engineer, a doctor, a teacher, a receptionist, a real estate mogul, a pastor, the basic principles of leadership, performance, and success apply across the board.
Lest I leave you with the notion that we’ve figured this parenting thing out, let me assure you that we’re very much in the trenches… we’re simply inviting you to join us? As of this afternoon, we are working through several issues… yeah, I promise you, it’s messy over here. But I have this burning passion for whole relationships, authentic connections, soul-deep intimacy. In marriages. In families. In friendships. In corporate settings.
In order to make this project as relevant and helpful as possible, I need your help.
- What specific areas of (your job) parenting are your greatest challenges right now, (i.e. communication, culture, boundaries, honor, trust, etc)?
- If we could spend the afternoon together, what would you want to talk about? (I ask that one a lot, don’t I? humble smile. I really, really want to spend the afternoon with you!)
- What are the most critical initiatives for your family over the next six months?
- When your children complain, what do they say?
- What do you expect of yourself this year?
- What does your family expect of you this year?