Seeing the virtual world tour shape up this past week has been fun! If you have not joined you can still do so by going to my post on September 30.
Over the next couple of days I will answer some of the Frequently Asked Questions about Messengers in Denim. If you have questions you would like to ask, just ask them in the comment section below.
Where did you get the idea to write a book? I have long wanted to share some of the great lessons I have learned from teenagers during my years of pediatric practice, so I put some of them together and they became a parenting book.
What kind of lessons can you learn from teens? All kinds; Olivia told me, “Mothers save more lives than doctors.” Emily said, “Having a dog is like always having a best friend.” Patrick taught me, “The best way to make money is to save money.” Jacob’s lesson was, “Every time I get mad things get worse!” Eric observed, “You will become the man you pretend to be.” Claire said, “Going to church helps you stay healthy.” And Nicole said, “Most of the things churches say we shouldn’t do aren’t good for us anyhow.” There are many, many more.
Is that it, just a list of lessons? No, there is much more. Each chapter begins with a description of a real live teen who tells his or her story, we all have stories, you know. And each story is followed by social and medical data to prove the veracity of its lesson. Messengers reads like a novel, or a collection of short stories; each chapter stands on its own. At the end of each section there is a list of parenting tips for parents with kids of any age. Teachers, coaches, and counselors find it helpful, too. And, all grandparents love it!