What a wonderful feeling to be done with a manuscript...well almost! I just read the next-to-the last draft of Secret Code Time: Creating a Unbreakable Bond Between Parent and Child. It is a wonderful book and one I hope you will look at seriously if you want to take your relationship with your child up a notch.

When I first heard of the concept (of this book) I thought, hmm, I'm a busy mom and I have a great relationship with my kids. After all, homeschool moms don't just spend time with their kids, we *live* with our kids. We eat together, play together, fold and put laundry away together...how much more togetherness can one mom stand. (Or her kids for that matter!) But, what I found in this book was a reminder that each child likes a bit of mom-and-me time. So, to try this out I asked my kids, each out on a "date" with mom. So far two have taken me up on it and the other one is pending time in his schedule (baseball season, you know!). But, that's okay...we have snatched time here and there to just sit and talk. What a difference that has made.

They say there is nothing new under the sun, and maybe there is not. But, this book has been packaged in a very real and heartfelt way. The author, a mom and her daughter share their story and how they made it work. The key is communicating from the heart, in depth and without harshness or judgment. Yes, respect is a must, but it is tempered with a parent who is open to learning and loving and taking the time.

Time is something I don't have. Working in my own business leaves me little fun, free time. This book has opened a door to put aside my work (it will still be there) and spend time with each of my children individually. Once the book is released I hope to have a place where you can post your funny stories relating to this book. Mine are beginning to pile up. Like when my littlest son, the talking machine clammed up when alone with me on our "date." First, he told me he felt bad not inviting his siblings (one was across the street at basketball practice and the other one had a baseball game...not like they were being neglected!). But, it was so sweet of him to think of others. I told him if we all went out it would be a family outing, of which we have many. And, I told him, I rarely got to hear him over the din of the people in the restaurant and his other siblings. Once he understood the plan, he was ready to go!

I never thought I'd have to convince my 8-year old that it was okay to go out with just mom! We had done it many times before, on errands, shopping for special gifts or even clothes when everyone else had bailed out on us. But, this was different, this was special, this was time for just me and him. What a precious time. Yes, I knew about date-night with your kids, but frankly who has the time? Least of all me. But, I made the effort and plan to make many more. We had a blast!

This book is more about just a special time and I can’t wait until it is released!! A few more months and it should hit the stands. Until then, pray for us as we look for the errant typo (getting fewer between now, yea!). Pray for our graphic artist, and the proof-reader, and pray for families…the greatest treasure!