Parenthood Anthology - Introduction

Good News! I'm excited to report that, based on the entries received so far, and the entries that are promised (keep writing) we are proceeding with the anthology! If you are interested in participating and you haven't notified me already: please email me at parentsbook2021@gmail.com . There is an informational web page at www.howecreative.net/collaboration. Password is 1234. All entries are due by March 1, 2021. This will allow time for editing, compiling the anthology, and to make publishing arrangements prior to Mother's Day (US).

Following is the introduction co-authored by @mfrobs @kmCassidy and @christopherhow1 (that's me).

Let’s write about our parents and our childhood, the painful and the uplifting, the miserable and the grand, and everything in between.

The richness of so many stories, (and especially family stories) comes from reflecting on even the hardest of memories. Past events give our current stories greater depth and meaning. A joyful event becomes even more joyful when contrasted with a sorrowful event of the past, or one that looms in the future.

This anthology is not simply a tribute to the perfect mother, the perfect father, or the perfect child. Though the writing that follows presents us with many examples of wonderful parents and inspiring parent / child relationships, we should recognize that no one is perfect. No relationship is perfect.

All of your experiences with parenthood are welcome here. Whether you found a mother figure in someone with whom you share no blood, or you were adopted and your experience without birth parents shaped you in a significant way, or you have two moms, two dads, or you were emancipated, or raised by grandparents. There is breadth of human experience here to share, limitless and without boundary.

Parenthood can be a constant challenge, balancing our goals with those of our loved ones, controlling our tempers and emotions, and allowing our children to learn and grow, while protecting them from harm. Sometimes we are successful. Sometimes we fall short. Sometimes our children choose the wrong path, despite our best efforts. Sometimes we realize that we didn’t try hard enough.

There are many ways to love each other, and countless ways to demonstrate our love. Some parents express their love for their children explicitly. Others are more subtle or reserved. Some parents may not appear to express their love at all. Sadly, some parents express the opposite of love.

Children are faced with the challenge of interpreting our parent’s words and actions. This can be a lifelong quest.

With all love there is eventually pain. The most difficult aspect of the parent / child relationship is that eventually we will have to say “goodbye”. Grief is part of life. So, it is welcomed here as well.

With all this in mind, this anthology is a celebration of the joys of parenthood, childhood, and the enduring gift of a parent’s love. It is also a celebration of our capacity for forgiveness, personal growth, healing, and change. When we’re vulnerable, we can produce some of our best work.

Christopher Howe KMCassidy Mfrobs

January 23, 2021

@elleneckert@gld

@chacko_stephen

@rellyn

@victoriabowman

@mariantoinette

@Bonnieboo

@valiantraptor47

@christopherhow1

@whitewolf32@spurtsofdark@mnezz@ruby9@annelgray@mfrobs@ellacressman

@bogdan_dragos

@shayna13@ernaline@dctezcan@anarosewood@kmcassidy

@huckleberry_hoo

@jmcbee@milu@rosey_@avruss@ajrfanz@rockdoctor18@wordlove