Clap your hands if you believe in parents...

A professor in one of my developmental psych classes once commented that one of the things that separates us from other species is our ability to tell stories, to learn vicariously from each other without going through the exact experience ourselves. Huh. I'd never thought of it that way before.

But it makes sense. When I was a girl, I loved hovering near the grown-ups at gatherings at the cabin, soaking up their stories about life and, especially, families.

I've been thinking a lot about that lately.

I'm especially intrigued by parenting stories--in hearing the different ways we make it work in all of our vivid uniquenesses and uniting similarities. I love reading about how others approach their relationships with their kids & the lessons learned in raising them. I started asking other parents how they did it, collecting their answers and using them to recharge when my child-raising battery was low. In that spirit, I've hatched an idea.

Here it is:

A new site {inspired by both This I Believe and the poet Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet} centered around parenting beliefs, where parents can post a letter/essay about a lesson learned or belief or philosophy they've gained about parenting: just a brief sliver of perspective to share with others who are also traveling-trudging-skipping-strolling on the parenting path. These will be published online weekly or so, depending on when letters come in.

So {ta-da!} here's the link:

<<Letters to a Parent>>

The first letter is the one that got this whole idea cooking: actually, it's a transcript of a talk given by my great-grandmother Brockbank about parenting. I think you'll love it.

***

p.s. If you'd like to write a letter/essay for this project (please do!), e-mail me at basic.annie@gmail.com. It doesn't have to be anything long or grand, just a real and honest piece of your wisdom (can be inspiring, funny, irreverent, moving...whatever you feel) that you're interested in sharing. In addition, if you know anyone that you would like to nominate to write a letter about their approach to parenting that would be wonderful, too. Feedback, ideas, and suggestions highly welcome. And, pssst. Spread the word.

Comments

[Stie: My Favorite Things]

I love this. You need to send an email to my mother-in-law. This is right up her alley and she's got loads of wisdom. I am going to do one, but need to mull it over first.

[Emily]

Great site Annie. About a week ago I happened on your profile page and saw this site listed at the bottom. At the time I didn't have a chance to check it out but wondered what you where up to. I'm not surprised to find another fabulous idea coming from your neck of the woods!

[Starry Night]

Unfortunatley, I don't have a letter to contribute (great idea though)......words are not my medium as much as paint. In a recent painting, I found some connections with my children. The piece started for me to see where I am, and where I've been- and yet created some interest with my children in a unique way. Perhaps the ability to look back on what it was like to be a child.....so long ago, it seems......can help us befriend our children in new ways. I know this sounds a bit nebulous.....so to illustrate, but unlikely to really clarify, here is the single web page link from my family site with the painting mentioned:

http://web.mac.com/samuelsmithmd/Smith_+_Partners/Autobiography.html

[Starry Night]

The link again (cut off above):

http://web.mac.com/samuelsmithmd/
Smith_+_Partners/Autobiography.html

[Bridget]

What a great idea! I love this. Those links were great too. I love learning these little nuggets of wisdom from other parents. I still remember the post you did on the notebook you and your daughter write in back and forth. I think, what a wonderful way to communicate with a tween. I really want to remember that so I can do it too.

I will try a letter too. Thanks.

[Celia Fae]

Wow, what a great project. I'm afraid my letter would be awfully short. Something like, If They Aren't Crying, I'm Doing It Wrong.

Thanks for stopping by today and commenting. I'll keep you in mind for my DC trip!

I'm going to add some people to the blogapalooza trip tonight, so if it doesn't work for you, let me know.

[Emily]

Annie, between this post and Bridget's about favorite books I thought of two of my favorite books that also are must reads for parents (I think anyway). They are: 1)Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl (hope I spelled that right) it ends saying that every kid deserves a spunky parent and I love that, and 2)Silas Marner by George Elliot. I'm sure you know them both but there you go.

[Amber]

The word was spread...and I didst come. I LOVE this idea and will stay tuned!

[gab]

This is going to be so great! I am adding it to my bloglines right now. I will spread the word and post your interview this week!