We Were Perfect Parents Until We Had Children

Book excerpt: 'I straighten her little tiara every morning – I lift her chin and remind her that she is meant for greater things than playground bullies.' 'Everything shines in its own time. There is no timetable for life. Timetables are for classrooms, not for people.' These are just some of the wisdoms shared on The Village, South Africa's beloved Facebook group for parents raising tweens, teens and young adults. Having kids is a baffling endeavour beset with sulk, meltdowns, anxiety and disappointment – and that's just the parents! When you get that call to the principal's office? When the school acceptances don't come? When the bedroom door slams and you hear your child sobbing behind it? All awful but it's also a precious time. The trick? To find a way to enjoy our families, love our children and believe in them and ourselves despite the daily challenges. And laugh . . . In this book, Vanessa Raphaely and Karin Schimke have gathered together life lessons and insights from The Village members. It contains the gems and remedies from the real parenting experts – the parents – to help you raise your family in your own perfectly imperfect way.