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Here we go!  Welcome friends.
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           In Massachusetts, an aspiring hair-stylist needs to cut and shape hair for 2000 hours before being granted a license. How many hours of parenting does an aspiring parent need before taking home his or her first child? We all know the answer. I write child & youth care books and have worked with kids for over 30 years, yet a day doesn’t go by when I don’t actively question my parenting skills.  Parents can always use a little more help and guidance. I’m hoping Parent Rapsody fills some of the void. Although, I was thrilled when some top experts in the field enthusiastically endorsed the CD, my favorite words of praise came from an old Iowa Buckeye, James Parcell (Jim’s not that old – we’ve just been friends forever): “When mom and dad are at wits end, listening to Parent Rapsody will be like talking to a best friend.”
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I think most parents have good enough abilities to raise their kids. Sometimes, they just need a few more “friends” by their side. I’m hoping Parent Rapsody, this site, and this blog can provide some meaningful support to folks doing their best to raise kids in a hard but fabulous world.
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In Parent Rapsody, I took many of the key principles and techniques for effective, strength-based, child-rearing and compressed them into 16 songs. I secured some of the top singers and musicians on the east coast, and broke the bank to produce a CD that can flow into and stay in the hearts and minds of anyone who listens. In future blogs, I’ll be writing about the various parenting principles that each song represents, news related to the CD (such as the research we’re doing on it), the power of music and repetition, how we’re trying to get it out there – and we certainly could use your help (I’ve conducted a few national radio interviews in the past few weeks), and much more. I’d love your feedback. Again, I’m not technically savvy, but I believe all you have to do is hit the comment tab on the bottom to respond to these blogs. If I’m wrong, I’ll have my webperson write some simple instructions.
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We’re all in this together. What could me more important than raising happy and secure kids?
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Charlie
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Tuesday, 16. December 2008
Just anote for anyone who may be looking for parenting material. I have viewed this new material from Charlie and it is 1st class, thank you Charlie. I have also read the book “No Such Thing As A Bad Kid” and it is #1 in my book, everyone should read this book who deals with children and especially children who have been in foster care.
Friday, 16. January 2009
Thanks to RadioIndy, I happened upon your site. Forgive me, I’m a professioanl children’s storyteller with my own recordings. I just to a look and listen with a fat professional ear.
The song titles and lyrics looked preachy-teachy. The sound however, catches you up and let’s you learn real life lessons. Far better to be nurtured by a lively song than to take or give hard knocks. Engaging work!
Jonathan Kruk
Monday, 23. February 2009
Hi Jonathon,
Thanks for the feedback. It’s interesting to me that you picked up on the song titles (”preachy-teachy”). We debated using more hip names, but chose to go with ones that truly conveyed
what the song is about. Using music to convery a message, as you know, is quite effective. I hope we do many more of them.
Meanwhile, I’ll have to check out your music!
Thanks again for writing.
Charlie
Thursday, 22. October 2009
hello,
Thank you for the great quality of your blog, each time i come here, i’m amazed.
black hattitude.
Wednesday, 28. October 2009
Very nice site!