Get ready for the newest edition of The Parent Handbook!

Wait 'til you see the 4th edition!  We've added lots of new information, revamped the Table of Contents, added photos, and will print in full color.  We welcome our new advertisers and look forward to releasing the 4th edition this fall. 

 

 

If you would like to work from home and help us sell this publication in bulk to schools, PTA's, businesses, etc., please contact us at info@operationparent.org  or call (502) 245-7154

Well, we just dropped our 4^th child off at college leaving us with one 14 year old daughter (a freshman) at home.  Wow!  I thought I'd always have a noisy, messy house with shoes and backpacks everywhere but no more.  Five years ago, Operation: PARENT was just getting off the ground and I'm asking myself right now...has this organization made a difference in my life?  Has raising my awareness about today's teen culture effected me personally, and changed the way I'm raising my children? 

Honestly, it has made a huge difference in so many ways. I do lots of things that I learned from Bill Oliver and our Parenting 101 sessions...one time I just "showed up" with cupcakes much to my daughter's surprise...the events that followed literally changed her life.  Occasionally,  I "thoroughly" clean bedrooms and check out the clothes in the closet, the music they listen to, and the posters on their walls.  My kids no longer go places with friends I don't know...and sleepovers are never causally approved.  I quit renting R-rated movies and there are no violent video games in the house...the real world offers them enough of that stuff...I want home to be different.  I'm learning how to use Facebook, Twitter and my i-Phone.  We set curfews and they know mom or dad will be waiting up on Friday and Saturday nights.   We've delayed driving permits and cell phones.  We implement "Driving Contracts" as soon as driving tests are passed.  I call parents to verify plans and supervision.  I've learned to text.  Thanks to Hal Runkel and his "Screamfree" Presentation, I try to let the consequences do the screaming.  I've learned to say "No" but I've also learned to say "I love you" even when we're going through tough times.  I've learned to trust my alarm bell when it goes off and not second guess myself.   I've learned about addiction, dating violence, sexting and teen suicide.  I've learned that raising teenagers is not for the faint of heart but is bearable when shared with others.  What an education! 

Have I messed up a bunch of times?  You better believe it!  But I think that's the most wonderful thing I've learned over these past five years.   You don't have to be perfect.  You don't have to get it right every time.  You don't have to catch every little thing they do and have the perfect response ready.  What you have to do is BE AWARE.  And when you're not aware, you put your kids at risk.  And your kids know you have no idea what's going on in their world.  And over time, you begin to live in two separate worlds...and that's when you start to lose them...even if you see them every day and they're living in your house...you start to lose them.  And that's what I love about Operation:PARENT.  It has raised my awareness, kept me connected to my teens and allowed me to network with other parents in the process.  What a joy it has been to meet so many incredible parents!

When we dropped our son off at UK last week, I didn't cry.  I actually felt blessed that he not only survived middle school and high school, but that he had fun along the way and we still had a good relationship with him.  We had our moments, but we took our best shot at parenting, and survived them.  Letting go is never easy...but it's awesome at the same time...you'll see!  Four down...one to go!