What a concept! A book on parenting that actually inspires and guides you in spending productive time with your child. And it's easy-even fun-to read. In conversational style, the author presents the basic six dimensions of parental responsibility that he discovered from clinical research over twenty years ago. But the presentation is anything but academic. Each of the 30 brief "thoughts" ends with at least one "Step to Take" with your child. Scattered throughout are "Grace Alerts," ideas intended to relieve some of the pressure parents too often feel. You will also hear from the author's wife and children as they chime in occasionally with their personal reflections. And now, this second edition includes a section that guides those of you who are grandparents in how you can apply the basic dimensions. The appendices present various comparisons of the six dimensions, including the scriptural basis for each one. The six things? Here's the thumbnail view: * Provision: Providing for everyday, essential needs of survival * Education: Helping your children learn * Emotional Support: Letting your kids know you've got their back, showing them how to handle emotions correctly * Governance: Establishing and enforcing boundaries, growing self-discipline * Appreciation: Feeling and speaking gratitude with and for your kids * Unconditional Affiliation: Sticking it out -- no matter what
About the Author: Ric Hardison has been married for over 40 years. He and Cathy have four children (as the book says: two by birth and two by marital selection) and three grandchildren. An ordained minister, his career began on staff of two churches as minister of education and youth pastor. In those positions, he saw up close how badly stressed parents could be in their care for their children. In his late thirties, he entered graduate school in clinical psychology. His master's thesis was based on review of over 300 books and articles on parenting and produced his model of parenting in six dimensions. After graduating, he served as therapist and administrator at two child welfare agencies, as family pastor of a third church and in private counseling practice. Throughout this time, he presented his model of parenting in a practical and biblically based way to dozens of groups on the local, state and national level. In 2002, Hardison compiled the "thoughts" from these presentations into the first edition of "6 Things." In 2006, he and his wife were drawn away from his native Illinois to be closer to children and grandchildren. He now provides Christian counseling at Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center of Charleston, WV.