I recently spoke with Sherwood Schwartz’ grandson, which in hindsight, must have been the impetus for my recent purchase of the full box set of 5 seasons of The Brady Bunch. For starters, my kids have found a new love! Poke fun if you will, but they are glued to the family drama where children are respected, listened to, their problems are identified and rectified in under 22 minutes (sans sass). Now I know why I loved it as well, as a child!
However, as a parent, 22 minutes barely allows us to get the full story from our lower school daughter and double that 22 minutes for our tween. This is why, over the years, my love is Julie Ross. She is the Executive Director of Parenting Horizons, “an organization devoted to enriching children’s lives through parent and teacher education”. Greg and I have attended many of Julie’s workshops and lectures and have found the information incredibly helpful.
Julie’s latest book, How to Hug a Porcupine: Negotiating the Prickly Points of the Tween Years has become our Bible over the years. No really. Our kids refer to it as “The Book” when one of us is off our game & needs a little “help”.
We’re just stepping into a new age with our tween and Julie does an incredible job of explaining the hormonal shift of a child that has a yearning for independence and growth. Just as important, Julie discusses how parents can play unobtrusive, yet “there if you need me”, traffic control throughout this often bumpy ride.
Even George Glass can use a hand with this parenting stuff!
I have to agree with you on the Brady Bunch thing, my sisters and I loved it growing up too!! Wouldn’t it be nice if all things could be wrapped up in 22 minutes! I will check out Julie Ross’s book, with three kids, 7, 10 & 13 I can use all the help I can find! Thanks!