The Secrets to Happy Parenting, Happy Kids

 The Secrets to Happy Parenting, Happy Kids, Nijel James, 2022

Raising a child can be one of the most challenging, and most rewarding, jobs for any adult. This book gives some pointers.

Are you a permissive or uninvolved parent? (I have a child?) Are you an authoritative or authoritarian parent? (It's my way or the highway.) Every child is motivated, or "reached," in a different way. Your job, as a parent, is to find out what will motivate your child. Is your child an introvert, preferring to stay home and read, or draw, instead of playing at the playground, or doing team sports? Attempting to turn your child into a sports-loving extrovert, because that's what you were at that age, is a very bad idea.

Your job is not to be your child's friend, but help them to navigate through this thing called "life." Don't make the boundaries in life like concrete barriers, but find some way to show them, or tell them, that Behavior A is acceptable, but Behavior B is not acceptable.

Spend some one-on-one time with your child; show them that you care about them. Take them to the playground, or to a movie. Leave the cellphone in the car. It may take a long time for your child to feel comfortable talking to you about school, job or romance. Let them know that you are available when that time comes.

"Do as I say, not as I do." That will not work when raising a child. You can tell your child to be tolerant of others, but talking, and acting, like an anti-immigrant racist will not help your child. You are encourages to ask for ideas from other parents. What worked for them may not work for you.

This is a gem of a book. It is clear, concise and easy to read. It is recommended for any parent, or future parent.

As It Should Be

 As It Should Be, Shawna James, Drummond Martin Publishing, 2021

This novel is about Andrew and Stephanie, your average married couple who are trying to deal with Roberta, Andrew's extremely greedy ex-wife.

Andrew and Stephanie, and their two daughters, have moved from Canada to Norway, Andrew's homeland, to get away from Roberta's constant demands for more and more child support money. The two children involved, Kevin and Muffy, may not even be Andrew's children, but Roberta absolutely refuses to allow a paternity test.

In Norway, life is good. That is, until a large envelope of legal documents forces them to move back to Canada. Roberta alleges that Andrew has not paid any of his child support obligations for the past several years, despite the fact that he has paid them. After moving back to Canada, Andrew and Stephanie move back to Canada, they meet privately with Kevin, now in college. He shows them a brand-new truck, and property, that he has bought (with Andrew's money). He attends college on a government program that pays all of his expenses. He knows that Andrew is not his real father; they look nothing like each other. Roberta's constant demands for money reach the point where Andrew is handing over more than half of his salary to the Court. 

On the good side, except for the Roberta-caused stress, the family is happy and healthy. Full scholarships for the daughters to a private dance school help a lot. Does Kevin help Andrew and Stephanie to stop Roberta, once and for all? Is there a big courtroom confrontation between them?

This novel certainly shows another side to the world of divorce and child support. Sometimes, the ex-wife is the "bad guy." It's a very good tale, and is well worth checking out.

Despite the Devil

 Despite the Devil, Shawna James, Drummond Martin Publishing, 2020

This is the story of two people in love, who are simply trying to get through life, despite a major obstacle.

Stephanie and Andrew teach at a local college in present-day Canada. She works in the English Department. Andrew, who is blond, Norwegian and very handsome, teaches in the Athletic Department. After dating for several months, they are married. Two children soon follow, Life is good.

The obstacle comes in the form of Roberta, Andrew's ex-wife. His command of English might be less-than-fluent, because he literally did not know he was married. They are divorced, but Andrew is stuck in a very bitter custody battle over their two children, Kevin and Muffy. Roberta keeps refusing to allow a paternity test; the children may not be Andrew's. There is no joint custody arrangement. As often as is legal, Roberta is in court, demanding more and more child support from Andrew, with little evidence that the money actually gets to the children. 

Andrew is forced to work longer hours to pay the legal bills and child support. Stephanie's hours at the college have been cut, so she starts an online business selling sports equipment. Something has to give between Andrew and Roberta. Does anyone "win" this emotional battle?

This is a very interesting tale of an average guy, and his loving wife, trying to do the right thing for a pair of innocent children. He is not a billionaire, or a werewolf (or a billionaire werewolf). Romance fans will enjoy it; this gets at least 4 stars.

The Lightbridge Legacy: Destiny's Call

The Lightbridge Legacy: Destiny's Call, Elayne James, Mischievous Muse Press, 2011

This is the first of a trilogy (actually one long novel split into three books). This young adult tale is an excellent piece of writing. Ani, an adolescent girl who, troubled by strange dreams and visions, finds herself remembering things that haven't yet happened, is a very believable 12-year-old. Along with all the normal adolescent traumas, she is faced with an unexpected move to New York City where she encounters enemies both natural (school bullies) and supernatural. Add in some Native American spirituality and you've got a story that has plenty of heart and soul. Young people will enjoy this novel; adults will enjoy it too.