Oprah's Kristin's Book Club

I attended a graduation party this summer for a student I absolutely adore; she is everything I hope my children will grow up to be: inquisitive and smart but equally as modest, talented in practically every aspect of her life but so giving to others, beautiful on the outside but even more so on the inside. I often tell her parents that I wish they would write a parenting manual; having also taught their older child, I can tell you that they obviously did so many things right. And while I was speaking to the aunt of these two incredible kids, she asked me what I typically read. And I answered honestly: I am addicted to parenting books.

I am one of those people who just wants all of the information -- about any topic -- before I make a decision. This is much harder to do as a parent; there is no real "deadline" for learning new strategies, and the information available is endless, so I just keep on reading. I want so badly to be a great mom to my boys. I know I provide for them and give them all the essentials, but I want them to look back and think, "Wow, we had a great mom who understood us and loved us so much." The aunt at the party asked if I had read her favorite parenting book. Not yet, but as coincidence would have it, I had recently placed that book on my online library reading list. She said it helped her more than any other parenting book out there. So I was excited, and I checked it out from the library a few days later.

I even love the title. I really want my kids to listen to what my husband and I say, but I also want them to talk to us about whatever is on their minds. And I am here to tell you, thirtyish pages later, that I am already excited about the methods in this book. I haven't even finished chapter one, but I wanted to invite any other moms or dads out there to read it, too. Grab it from your local library like I did and read along with me! Or, if you are a parent who has already read it, let us know: Did it help you communicate better with your children? I'd love for you to share your thoughts.

I admit that I am a total nerd when it comes to finding a good book, but usually I don't get this excited about a parenting book. So, please consider joining me! (Just don't pretend to read it and then try to have an informed conversation about it; I get enough of that at school. And yes, we do always know who you are.) Happy reading!