My name is Suzy DeYoung and I work as a Parent Coach based in Connecticut. I am presently writing a book in which I would welcome your input. The book is tentatively titled: "If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Hindsight and Insight From Seasoned Parents & Educators.

By sending contributors three or four brief questions, I am compiling less a book of advice, but rather food for thought. Through short "nuggets" of personal reflection I hope to touch a chord with parents hoping to better connect with their children. Chapters are devoted to various groups of parents including, divorced, gay, single, adoptive, full-time dads, parents of twins, parents of children with learning and attention difficulties and parenting experts/authors speaking as parents. The book is less a look at past "mistakes" or "regrets, " but rather a look at how recognizing what we may have done differently as parents can be a source of tremendous strength and wisdom. The bottom line is that parents, like everyone else, learn by doing – by practicing and discovering their own knowledge. Thus, this book aims to help through the “doings” of other parents. I know I personally consider the awareness of what I may have done differently as part of my success as a parent as it has helped me better connect with my children as we go along this journey.

As of now, in addition to a multitude of parents contributing authors include: Naomi Aldort, author of "Raising our Children, Raising Ourselves;" Roger Schank, author of "Coloring Outside the Lines;" Arlene Istar Lev, author of “The Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide;” Susan Stiffelman, author of “Parenting Without Power Struggles;” Anne Ford, author of "Laughing Allegra;", Sura Hart and Victoria Kindle Hodson, authors of “Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids;” Nancy Kalish, author of “The Case Against Homework;” Kathryn Black, author of "Mothering Without a Map;" Dr. Shelly Vaziri Flais, author of, ‘Raising Twins, From Pregnancy to Preschool,” Harriet Lerner, author of "The Mother Dance;" and Rick Lavoie, author of “It’s So Much Work To Be Your Friend - Helping The Learning Disabled Child Find Social Success.”

Prior to working as a parent coach I worked as a segment producer for a number of television talk-shows including, Good Morning America, The CBS Morning Program and Live With Regis & Kathie Lee where I worked for almost ten years. After the birth of my first child I returned to school and received a Masters in Infant/Parent Development from Bank Street College of Education in NYC. Presently I live and work in Connecticut and am the parent of three children.
Further information can be found on my web site: www.peaceofmindparentcoaching.com. I also write for the online publication "The Examiner" as "The Hartford Elementary Years Parenting Examiner.":
http://www.examiner.com/x-28461-Hartford-Elementary-Years-Parenting-Exam...

Although I have a number of contributors I have not yet received any contributions from stepparents. I thought this may be a good place to start.

Anyone interested in contributing please respond to this post or email me at: [email protected] and I will send you the questions or more information if need be(three or four and answers should be under 300 words.) Also, names can be changed if desired. My deadline for this book is mid-July.

Look forward to hearing from you!