Here Be Dragons: A Parents Guide to Rediscovering Purpose, Adventure, and the Unfathomable Joy of the Journey

(Paperback)

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Description

Before our three kids, we had been decent people. Interesting even. One of us had taught Shakespeare to gang members while the other flew reconnaissance missions off North Korea. But our own children had proven our biggest challenge. We were passionate and service-driven folks, except we were not demonstrating this to our kids. We spent so much time trying to be good parents that we forgot to be good people. Something had to change.Two parents challenge one another to find balance between work and family life. Their stories are both uproarious and poignant as they raise children and strive to leave their mark on the wider world. Filled with tender moments and plenty of laughs, Here Be Dragons recounts the adventures of a family trying to stay afloat, and offers a life raft to the rest of us in choppy waters.

Reviews

"Here Be Dragons is a not just a hilarious book about parenting, its a hopeful, honest, and wise book about becoming the grown-up you were always meant to be."
Cecilia and Jason Hilkey,HappilyFamily.com
"Parenting is inherently funny and horrible and sweet and enervating and invigorating. Ken and Annmarie capture all of it. And they do so while writing beautifully and with real soul."
Ken Kurson, Editor in Chief of the New York Observer"Here Be Dragonsproves that it is possible to raise children with both a sense of adventure and an obligation to serve others.Bravery and kindness are not mutually exclusive. Best of all, Ken and Annmarie show that parenting is a team sport. For anyone who doubts that building a family can indeed be a joyful journey, this book should be required reading."Eric Greitens,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Heart and the Fist"There are so many books about parentingabout raising happy, successful, loving children. This is a book about raising children who are active citizens in a democracywhich, studies show, is more likely to make them happy, successful and loving adults than almost anything else. Ken and Annmarie are American treasures; share their wealth of experience and wisdom."
Joe Klein, author ofCharlie MikeandPrimary Colors"Ken and Annmarie are two very smart people who have written a very smart book on the many lessons that life has taught them about marriage, parenting, and trying to be good people.If you can handle blunt stories about barf, bedtime, poop, and tears, theres a lot to learn from this book."
Rev. Damian J. Ference,Director of Human Formation, Borromeo Seminary"Equal parts humorous and heartbreaking,Here Be Dragonsreminds us that although parenting isn't always a picnic, it doesn't have to feel like rat race. In reframing mishaps as adventures and reminding us all to take the time to change our socks, Ken and Annmarieprovide both comic relief and solid advice for couples caught in the whirlwind that is parenting."
Katie Hurley, LCSW, bestselling author ofThe Happy Kid Handbook"This hilarious account of one couple's parenting voyage illustrates how much more rewarding it can be to occasionally let go of the rudder and let the wind take the sails. Recommended for all high-achievers who venture into parenting with the perfect plan, only to find the baby barfed on your map."
Kelly Watson,Co-Author,The Orange Line: A Woman's Guide to Integrating Career, Family and Life
"Ken and Annmarie manage to be wise, funny and relatable without being smug, superficial or ordinary. Their journey from the parents they thought they would be to the parents they actually are is equal parts heartbreaking and hilarious.Here Be Dragonsis a must-read for anyone looking to connect with theconnect with the wonderand wackinessof being a mom or dad."
Julie Fishman, co-author ofThe Little Black Book of Big Red Flagsand co-host ofFirst Timers,a podcast about parenting

"I rarely read parenting books anymore. I find more guilt than freedom within most of their pages. ButHere Be Dragonsis different. I came away from Ken and Annmaries story with a renewed vision for myself as a mom, and a rekindled appreciation for the adventures that have made up my own familys stories."
Jamie C. Martin, author ofGive YourChild the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time

" . . . an engaging read. The authors convey their sense of humor and zest for life in their words."
Manhattan Book Reviews

"Here Be Dragons is a charmingly fresh, intimate and honest book written by a married couple about their parenting experiences. The book is autobiographical in style and makes very easy reading."
SchoolDays Magazine

"This book is filled with warm and thoughtful anecdotes and lessons Ken and Annmarie have learnt in their quest to better balance their work and family lives and stay afloat."
Child Magazine

"Sweet and charming, this is the simple story of a happy couple who struggle and succeed at raising three children in a complex world while not allowing their own relationship to become lost in the chaos of everyday life.After hearing their account, one can't help but be inspired by the grace with which they move through the world while teaching their kids to both contribute to society and maintain close familial ties."
The Christian Science Monitor

Author Bio

Annmarie Kelly-Harbaugh is a mother, teacher, and dog lover-an above-average cook and below-average housekeeper. Both a dancing queen and a brick house, she is an avid reader of cooking websites, fitness magazines, and articles that promise she'll lose weight fast. Annmarie earned her National Board Certification in English Language Arts, holds a masters in urban education from Yale University, and has been a beloved teacher at half a dozen high schools from Florida to Seattle. She has taught Shakespeare to gang members and sung lullabies in a wilderness detention center. Annmarie's writing has appeared in The Huffington Post, New York Observer, and on National Public Radio.