This book is written as a celebration of Shane Estorja's life. An extraordinary young man that chose to live an extraordinary life.This young life that touched so many other lives in such a positive way. I was 19 yrs. old when I had Shane. I was heading down the wrong path at a very high speed. He saved me in so many ways that it's hard to find the words to describe. Shane taught me how to love another human being and how to be loved by others. Shane took life by the horns and made the best of all types of life situations. What a worrior I an so proud to be his mother. If I had to choose one thing to be most proud of, it would be that Shane ALWAYS set high standards for himself to live by. He believed in strong family structures and friendships. Shane was, and ALWAYS will be the most selfless man I have or ever will know. HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

Countering the "Tiger Mother" parenting style, this research-based, practical guide provides an excellent framework for raising competent and compassionate children.

In an era of "helicopter" parents-moms and dads who constantly hover over their children to monitor and manage their lives-and our culture's focus on personal gain and corporate greed, there is great need for a parenting guide that outlines how to raise children who are well adjusted. "A Practical Guide for Raising a Self-Directed and Caring Child" fills that void. In response to Amy Chua's recent bestseller, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother," psychologist Louis J. Lichtman, PhD, presents a compelling case for the notion that children will be more successful if they are self-directed rather than parent-controlled. Through anecdotes and research studies, Lichtman illustrates how to build a child's self-esteem and delves into how parenting styles and disciplinary practices influence a child's behavior and character.

Lichtman also gives special attention to the topics of achievement, parenting during the adolescent years, and how family structure impacts children. In addition, Lichtman discusses how to avoid common parenting mistakes, issues to consider before deciding to become a parent, and how to give children the best possible start in life.

Designed to help parents develop a set of guiding parenting principles, this guide is applicable to all situations and to children of all ages. "A Practical Guide for Raising a Self-Directed and Caring Child" offers a solid, comprehensive resource for today's parents.

One of America's most celebrated educators teaches parents how to create extraordinary children-in the classroom and beyond
In his bestselling book, "Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire," readers were introduced to Rafe Esquith and his extraordinary students in Hobart Elementary School's Room 56. Using his amazing and inspiring classroom techniques, Esquith has helped thousands of children learn to maximize their potential. In "Lighting Their Fires," Esquith shows that children aren't born extraordinary; they become that way as a result of parents and teachers who instill values that serve them not just in school, but for the rest of their lives. Framed by a class trip to a major league baseball game, "Lighting Their Fires" moves inning by inning through concepts that help children build character and develop enriching lives. Whether he is highlighting the importance of time management or offering a step-by-step discussion of how children can become good decision makers, Esquith shows how parents can equip their kids with all the tools they need to find success and have fun in the process. Using examples from classic films and great books, he stresses the value of sacrifice, the importance of staying true to oneself, and the danger that television can pose to growing young minds. "Lighting Their Fires" is that rarest of education books: one that explains not just how to make our children great students, but how to make them thoughtful and honorable people.

The Internet has transformed the way people research, shop, conduct business, and communicate. But the Internet and technologies that enable online interaction and access to a variety of content can be a perilous place for minors 8 to 18. The dangers are real, and parents and teachers today are confronted with many threats they simply do not understand. This book shares the risks of the Internet by detailing recent, real-world tragedies and revealing some of the secrets of online activities. It provides a pragmatic approach to help parents and teachers protect children against the threats of going online. Parents and teachers are often ill-equipped to deal with the variety of devices and applications such as email, instant messaging, browsing, blogs, cell phones, and personal digital assistant devices (PDAs) that can facilitate the dangers lurking online. How to Protect Your Children on the Internet offers a comprehensive overview of the ways in which youth use such technologies and exposes the risks they represent. At the same time, it provides a roadmap that will enable parents and teachers to become more engaged in children's online activities, arming them with techniques and tips to help protect their children. Smith underscores his arguments through chilling, real-life stories, revealing approaches people are using to deceive and to conceal their activities online. Filled with practical advice and recommendations, his book is indispensable to anyone who uses the Internet and related technologies, and especially to those charged with keeping children safe.

This book is the account of an ordinary woman trying to live life with good intentions, and translating those good intentions into action by helping others, in the aftermath of a really traumatic national event - 9/11/01. The primary focus is on Terror and its effects on a personal life, and indeed the life of the nation. Interwoven is a deep concern for fairness and justice, especially as regards children. No book should be complete without "politics " There is that also. There is a mix of grief, anger and humor (the real elixir of life )

Creative Caring is the story of one determined family whose son, Ricky, had intellectual disabilities so severe that the typical resources of a community were not available to him. Finding that situation intolerable, they fought relentlessly to create a caring community for Ricky and hundreds of others. Vita Living fought bureaucratic hurdles, abuse from the community, and serious economic challenges so it was brought to the edge of collapse. The goal was to obtain a coveted license to open the first small community-based home in Texas to provide life long care for people with severe mental retardation and behaviors. Despite being told it was impossible, Renee successfully pursued her dream.

This memoir, a reflection on her over 40 years of working with children and adults with intellectual disabilities, is a call to action for our society to consider the welfare of all, not only the able bodied.

Creative Caring is the story of how Renee and Stan turned the challenges their family faced into triumph. But even more, it's the story of how they succeeded in creating a more generous and nurturing environment for an entire population who has much to contribute to the world around them