Practical, motherly, sometimes hilarious advice about everything your adult daughter still needs to learn. About dreams. About life. About laundry. No matter how hard they try, parents never have time to teach their children everything they need to know before they leave home. Luckily, Becky Blades has compiled the best tidbits of advice into one thought-provoking, conversation-starting book that she wrote for her first-born daughter as she was preparing to leave home for college. Covering everything from posture to finances, with a hint of motherly sass, Do Your Laundry or You'll Die Alone is beautifully illustrated and the perfect funny graduation gift for daughters leaving the nest, or anyone in your life who could use a little bit of coming-of-age common sense. Lined pages at the back of the book allow space for you to leave your own thoughtful messages. A sneak peek at Mom's advice:Marry smart. Don't marry for money. Beware of marriage advice.Park in the shade in the summer and in the sunshine in the winter.There's nothing worse than a smart girl who acts dumb.The perfect bridal shower, graduation, back-to-school care package, or just because gift for women and teens! Praise for Do Your Laundry or You'll Die Alone: "Finally, a wise, witty book with some straightforward answers to life's complex questions."-Oprah.com "I got a big kick out of Do Your Laundry of You'll Die Alone."-Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project "A great book to give your daughter or niece or Godchild before heading off to college."-Michigan Mom Living

This book investigates the changing culture of grandparenting. Depending on the group, the period, and the family, grandparents have been powerful patriarchs and matriarchs, reliable second parents, dependents, burdens, or community figures. The book examines the history of grandparenting and the changing depiction of grandparent culture from "old" to "hip," including the development of the celebrity grandparent, the emergence of media technologies that allow for new communication and relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren, new rituals associated with grandparenting, the growth of the marketing of grandparenting as a new stage of life, and the impact on our culture of the commodification of grandparenting. Prior to the twentieth century, within the United States the idea of the modern grandparent likely did not even exist. Many people did not live long enough to reach the grandparent stage of life. Today, people are living longer, and grandparenting is occupying a longer phase in one's life. Grandparenting is becoming its own life stage, where new rituals exclusive to grandparents are emerging. Newer technologies, such as Skype, Google Hangout and FaceTime, allow grandparents who are far away to establish relationships with their children. Many grandparents also use social media and blogs to chronicle their experiences. Some grandparents have turned their grandparent lifestyle into a business. The representation of grandparenting in popular culture is shifting as well. Grandparents are becoming their own figures on television and film programs, including reality shows. Others have been thrust into the public eye across social media. Marketers have realized the power of this new consumer subgroup and have begun to direct marketing campaigns to grandparents. Yet, despite the pervasive images of grandparents, some of which present empowered figures, grandparent representation in popular media continues to mimic many of the stereotypes commonly associated with aging, encouraging people to laugh at versus laugh with these figures. The Third Act: Grandparenting in a Digital Age examines grandparenting through history, interviews, and popular culture to study the changing image of grandparents in society.

For those parents with adult children living at home and showing no signs of wanting to leave the nest, New Lenses provides much-needed, fresh perspective. It is not uncommon in today's society to see adult children living in their parents' home far beyond graduation. Many of these adult children are unemployed and unwilling to become independent and to move forward with their futures. Many parents struggle to find the right solution to help their children leave the nest. For these parents, it is time to get a new prescription and look at the situation from a completely new set of lenses. In New Lenses, Pam Reid shows readers how to help their adult child take steps towards being financially self-sufficient, recognize and take advantage of door-opening opportunities, and so much more. For those who wish to impact change and make a significant difference in the lives of others including their own, New Lenses is the ideal resource to help kickstart the transformation to becoming the person who will create a positive ripple of change.

We all hope that we will be cared for as we age. But the details of that care, for caretaker and recipient alike, raise some of life s most vexing questions. From the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century, as an explosive economy and shifting social opportunities drew the young away from home, the elderly used promises of inheritance to keep children at their side. Hendrik Hartog tells the riveting, heartbreaking stories of how families fought over the work of care and its compensation.

"Someday All This Will Be Yours" narrates the legal and emotional strategies mobilized by older people, and explores the ambivalences of family members as they struggled with expectations of love and duty. Court cases offer an extraordinary glimpse of the mundane, painful, and intimate predicaments of family life. They reveal what it meant to be old without the pensions, Social Security, and nursing homes that now do much of the work of serving the elderly. From demented grandparents to fickle fathers, from litigious sons to grateful daughters, Hartog guides us into a world of disputed promises and broken hearts, and helps us feel the terrible tangle of love and commitments and money.

From one of the bedrocks of the human condition the tension between the infirmities of the elderly and the longings of the young emerges a pioneering work of exploration into the darker recesses of family life. Ultimately, Hartog forces us to reflect on what we owe and are owed as members of a family.

“I saw my mommy walking to the court with a hoodie on and a scarf covering her face. She looked almost like someone that was poor. People were cursing at her… and that broke me. This is the woman who was there for me every day, making lunch for me and my friends when we came from school, and now here she is on television being called a criminal.”

The kidnapping of baby Zephany Nurse from the cot beside her mother’s hospital bed made headline news. Desperate pleas from her parents to return her safely went unanswered. There was no trace of the baby. For 17 years, on her birthday, the Nurse family lit candles and hoped and prayed.

Living not far away from the Nurses, 17-year-old Miché Solomon had just started Matric. She had a boyfriend. She had devoted parents. She was thinking about the upcoming school dance and the dress her mother was going to make for her. She had no idea that a new girl at her school, who bore an uncanny resemblance to her, and a DNA test would shake her world to its foundations.

Miché is now 22. This is her story – for the first time in her own words. Told with astonishing maturity, honesty and compassion, it is also a story of what it means to love and be loved, and of claiming your identity.

The Gifts of Being Grand pays tribute to the special joys and rewards of grandparenthood from beloved bestselling author Marianne Richmond who has touched the lives of millions! Filled with wit and warmth, the book's lyrical poetry and vibrant illustrations let "grown-up" moms and dads recall their parenting past, celebrate their own kids, and delight in the newfound gifts of grandparenthood. From a "grand" new name and lots of hugs and kisses...to a second chance for patience, adventure and fun, this book for grandparents counts each gift as a reason to cherish this grand season of life! Whether you're looking for the perfect grandparent gift to honor your seasoned loved one or to enthuse them with a first-time grandparent gift, The Gifts of Being Grand is a treasured reminder of how good it is to be grand!

Axton Betz-Hamilton grew up in small-town Indiana in the early '90s. When she was 11 years old, her parents both had their identities stolen. Their credit ratings were ruined and they were constantly fighting over money. This was before the age of the Internet, when identity theft became more commonplace, so authorities and banks were clueless and reluctant to help Axton's parents. Axton's family switched PO Boxes, changed all of their personal information and moved to different addresses but the identity thief followed them wherever they went. Convinced that the thief had to be someone they knew, Axton and her parents completely cut off the outside world, isolating themselves from friends and family. Axton learned not to let anyone into the house without explicit permission and once went as far as chasing a plumber off their property with a knife. She had panic attacks throughout her formative years and often became physically sick with anxiety and quarantined behind the closed curtains in her childhood home. She began starving herself at a young age in an effort to blend in - her clothes, hair, makeup and weight could be nothing short of perfect or she would be scolded by her mother, who had become paranoid and consumed by how others perceived the family. Years later, her parents marriage still shaken from the theft, Axton discovered that she, too, had fallen prey to the identity thief but by the time she realised, she was already thousands of dollars in debt and her credit was ruined. After her mother's death, Axton's father found a box filled with pay stubs that listed his wife's first name but a different last name; copies of Axton's birth certificate; denial of application letters for various checking accounts; properties with other men. Axton and her father quickly came to realise that the identity thief was her mother all along. THE LESS PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT US is Axton's attempt to untangle the intricate web of her mother's lies and to understand why and how her mother could have inflicted such pain upon the two people closest to her. Axton will present a candid, shocking and redemptive story that will provide clarity and comfort for others in similarly unfortunate circumstances, and reveal her courageous effort to grapple with a parent who broke the unwritten rules of love, protection, and family.

Just one simple thought a day to preserve five years of memories with your children-finally, a record book that is doable! A Memory a Day for Moms,a beautiful five-year journal with carefully curated questions and writing prompts, offers you just that. Jot down a single thought, memory, or prayer, and build a treasured keepsake day by day. Mothers in all stages of life will find something to love about A Memory a Day for Moms, as it allows you to reflect on and record your children's growth and your own journey as a mom. Whether you are knee-deep with littles or navigating the tricky waters of high school and beyond, prompts such as "My child said the funniest thing today!" "My hope for my child is," and "Lately we've been enjoying _____ together" will always resonate. This luxurious journal makes a beautiful gift for a birthday or baby shower, or as a special treat for yourself. With spacious lines and a prettily designed interior, you will love coming back to A Memory a Day for Moms day after day.

They say little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. That innocent baby in the cot will one day become a sister, a mother, a wife, a daughter-in-law. A girl's first-and sometimes final-teacher is her mother. From first steps to first kiss, marriage to motherhood, mothers are the coach and counsellor in every girl's life. In this collection curated by veteran editor and writer Theresa Tan, mothers write letters to their daughters who may one day become mothers themselves. At times hilarious, mostly brutally honest, these are no-holds-barred, one-sided conversations between moms and their girls: values to impart, mistakes to learn from, wisdom to pass on, confessions to make, gratitude to express. These letters will make you laugh, weep and hug your child. Includes notes on lipstick and taking care of your body; how to survive marriage (and divorce); stupid things never to do; making hard decisions; living life with passion; raising children and caring for aging parents; carrying on family traditions; focusing on what truly matters in life. Contributors include: Adlena Oh-Wong, Amy Poon, Ng Choong San, Cynthia Chew, Dawn Lee, Dawn Sim, Janet Goh, Jennifer Heng, Jenny Wee, Kalthum Ahmad, Karen Tan, Landy Chua-Moosa, Loretta Urquhart, Paige Parker, Petrina Kow, Sangeeta Mulchand, Shaan Moledina-Lim, Chiong Xiao Ting, Lin Xiuzhen, Yen Chua and Zalina Gazali

Becoming a grandfather is one of the most exciting events in a man s life but there s a lot to learn! This little book is jam-packed with all the wisdom, know-how, and trivia that you ll need to become the best grandfather you can be, including: * How to Pick Your Grandfather Nickname * How to Share Your Wisdom * How to Tell A Tall Tale * When to Step Up and When to Step Back * Planning for Your Future (And Theirs) The handsome package and timeless information make this a perfect gift for seasoned grandpas and grandpas-to-be alike.

The Message in the Bottle helps those who feel alone in their struggle with the drinker in their life find peace and hope. Is the drinker in your life making you crazy? Do you find that your thoughts and free time are consumed by ideas and plans to fix things so they won't want to drink? Do you feel like you can't talk with anyone about what's really going on, because they won't get it or because you can't believe the situation you're in? Stephanie McAuliffe shares her journey of growing up in a family where cocktails started by 5:00 p.m. She reveals her marriages to two alcoholics, and shows how she navigated life being surrounded by alcohol and alcoholics-and broke an unhealthy family cycle that went back at least four generations. Full of stories of survival, The Message in the Bottle is packed with support to help children and spouses of alcoholics find peace amidst the chaos.

From the New York Times best-selling author of Have a New Kid by Friday comes a call to dads to step up to the plate and become the loving, actively engaged father that a daughter needs for life and relational success. The relationship that matters most to your daughter isn't always the one with her mother-sometimes it's the one with you, Dad. Her self-esteem, choices, behavior, character, and even her ideas about or choice of a marriage partner are all directly tied to you, as the most important representative to her of the male species. In Be the Dad She Needs You to Be Dr. Kevin Leman-internationally-known psychologist, New York Times best-selling author, and father of four daughters-will show you not only how to get the fathering job done and done well, but also how to: Make each daughter feel unique, special, and valued. Discipline the right way . . . when it's needed. Talk turkey about what guys are really thinking. Keep the critical eye at bay. Wave the truce flag when females turn your family room into a battleground. Set your daughter up for life and relational success. With some effort on your part, you can gain the kind of lasting relationship you dream of with your daughter-one based on mutual love and respect. The simple yet profound suggestions in this book will transform you into the kind of man your daughter needs . . . for a lifetime.

A new mother, traumatised by an arduous labour, tries to come to terms with being abandoned as a baby by Olivia, the mother she never knew. Set in the eponymous 'Strawberry Water', a mysterious 1920s country bungalow that overlooks a fast-flowing river, the story begins with a faded photograph of the woman our narrator assumes to be her mother. Spotlight is a collaboration between Creative Future, New Writing South and Myriad Editions to discover, guide and support writers who are under-represented due to mental or physical health issues, disability, race, class, gender identity or social circumstance. In the same series: Stroking Cerberus by Jacqueline Haskell; Memories of a Swedish Grandmother by Sarah Windebank; Summon by Elizabeth Ridout; Crumbs by Ana Tewson-Bozic and Cora Vincent by Georgina Aboud.

Facebook, television, phones, video games - all these get in the way of real, meaningful relationships with our sons even beginning when they are just five years old. Since we are competing with a world of extremes when it comes to getting the attention of our kids, even when you're together at home, meeting extreme with extreme is the only answer. SEALS learn to function at a high level outside of their normal, comfortable elements. Father and son need to do the same. Whether it's climbing, hiking, biking, or traveling, taking your son out of the house and away from distractions of everyday life to face new challenges TOGETHER will bring you two closer. Rediscover risk-taking and adventure - nothing will bring you closer to your son. And that's just the start. Through stories and lessons learned by Eric and many other SEALS in fatherhood, readers will learn to connect with their sons by discovering the spirit of adventure - the Navy SEAL way.

"You see me at my worst, you see me at my best I have been used, I have been abused I have been broken, I have been mended, I have been lied to. I have been called all sort of names I have been the cause of everything broken, so they claim Who am I? I am the one that catches you when you fall" Love has many layers. This heartfelt collection of original poetry explores the ups and downs of life's relationships. A beautiful study of the power of personal connection.

Based on Deborah Doucette's personal experience raising a grandchild, this book examines the myriad factors involved in kinship care, specifically when grandparents begin to raise their grandchildren. Filled with true stories from people who have raised their children's children, and including advice from Dr. Jeffrey R. LaCure throughout, this family-focused book looks at this fairly common relationship from all sides. Now in its second edition, Raising Our Children's Children has been updated to include recent social developments, such as the trend toward multigenerational family living where children, their parents, and their grandparents all live under one roof.

HOORAY FOR GRANDPARENTS celebrates the special role grandparents play in children's lives and collects 50 ways to build a strong relationship between grandparent and grandchild. It's packed with fun activities to do together, ways to create your own special traditions, advice on how to support your grandchild in difficult times, and ideas for building a legacy that lives beyond your years. Packaged in a fun and engaging format, with simple, fun, and heartwarming ways to deepen connections across generations, this is full of useful and meaningful ways for grandparents to bond with grandchildren.

The Silence Between Us is a raw and original double memoir tracing a mother and daughter as they try to understand and rebuild their relationship after the daughter's suicide attempt. Because Oceane had just turned eighteen when she tried to end her life, the hospital had to respect her request: to not notify her parents. Years later, when Oceane asked her mother, Cecile, to write something together about this period of their lives, she never expected that Cecile would already have so many pages hidden away, filled with words that she began to write when she eventually learned of Oceane's suicide attempt. In The Silence Between Us, Oceane pieces together her story through old diary entries, emails, hospital records and psychiatric reports, interspersed with Cecile's own intense account of caring for her fiercely independent daughter. Slowly we learn about the intergenerational trauma that forced the chasm between Oceane and Cecile, as well as the campus sexual assault that pushed Oceane over the edge. As Oceane lets Cecile back into her life and they attempt to negotiate both the mental health and legal systems, we also see the fractures start to mend. At once delicate and unflinching, The Silence Between Us dares to say all the things we'd rather avoid when it comes to mental health, women's voices and family relationships. Includes foreword by psychiatrist Pat McGorry AO, professor of youth mental health and former Australian of the Year.

Dear Nan (sketch design) is an award-winning journal filled with over 60 fun and inspiring questions carefully created to inspire any grandmother to tell her story - probably one of the most valuable gifts you will ever buy. Everyone has stories to share about their own amazing life and it is so important to find ways to capture and treasure them. Dear Nan contains 60 carefully designed questions to ask her about her life. Ask her to complete it carefully, adding photos and memorabilia along the way. Find out how things have changed throughout her life, what things did she do as a child that are different from today. What were her own parents really like and what adventures has she had in her life. Discover what your own mum or dad was like when they were young! What about your own relationship with your grandmother, what are her favourite memories of the times you have spent together and is there any advice she would like to give you? When you get her completed journal returned to you, this will be one of the most emotional presents you have ever received. A great gift for Mother's Day, Grandparent's Day, her birthday, an anniversary, Christmas or just because you care ...