Maggie Stevens

Today’s guest is Maggie Stevens, author of Parent Fix.

Shelagh: Hi Maggie, please tell everyone a bit about yourself.

Maggie: I graduated from Brigham Young University with my BS/CA degree in Youth Leadership. Professionally, I work with youth groups, parent groups and educators offering parenting help in today’s world. The health of any society lies in the strength of its families. Thus, strengthening families will strengthen communities and nations.
Currently, I am partnered with Borders Book Stores presenting parenting workshops across the country. In addition to Borders, I regularly visit The King’s English Book Shop, Barnes & Noble book stores, Frost’s Book Stores and Sam Wellers Books. I will be presenting parenting segments on KUTV news and KJZZ morning news program. In San Diego, I work with the San Diego Unified School District and present parenting segments on XETV Bay City Television. Coming soon: A talk radio show with KFNX 1100 in Phoenix. I am the proud mother of five grown children.

Shelagh:When did the writing bug bite?

Maggie: I have always enjoyed writing and I began my writing career writing travel articles for the travel sections of local newspapers. Ten years ago, a dear friend of my son who spent most of his growing up years in our home, asked me if I wouldn’t write down my philosophy on parenting. He was expecting his first child and wanted to be the best dad. I was thrilled he would ask. As my notes came together, chapters formed and ParentFix became a book.

Shelagh: Please tell us about your latest book.

Maggie: When parents change … kids change

The majority of parenting books on the market are about changing the child’s behavior. After raising 5 children, I can vouch for the fact that it is impossible to change another person, especially your child. Parent Fix focuses on understanding a child’s needs and why certain behaviors occur. A child’s behavior should be used to teach parents about the needs of their child. When you help your child meet his needs, the bad behaviors disappear. This approach to parenting works so much better than the everyday battles that are occurring between parent and child. Currently, the most common reaction parents have to their child’s bad behavior, is to get angry about the behavior and then punish them. This destroys relationships. As parents we need a strong relationship with our child when they hit the teenage years. It is possible to avoid teenage rebellion and have an enjoyable life with a teenager!

Shelagh: Is there a message in your book?

Maggie: Most definitely yes. We are all watching the moral decline of our nation. The family, which is the basic unit of our society is under attack. We are failing in our homes. Drug and alcohol abuse is rampant with our youth. Eating disorders, teen pregnancies,trouble with the law are just a few of the challenges parents face with their teens. It is sad that our most important relationships end up being the most painful part of our lives. It is time to change the way we do things. When parents open their hearts and their minds and try the methods in Parent Fix, they find success.

Shelagh: What can parents learn from this book?

Maggie:

How to create a Safe Haven
How to motivate your child
How to improve your child’s education
Constructive ways to deal with anger
How dangerous control is and how to stop using it
How to teach by example
How to help your kids make their own decisions
Why you should not punish kids for behavior
How to help creativity flourish
How to live with teenagers
How to build a strong relationship with your child
How to relax and enjoy your kids
How to understand your child’s behavior

Shelagh: Share the best review you ever had.

Maggie:

In today’s day and age of troubled youth, broken families, and a slew of mixed messages from the media, the Internet, self-help books, and talk shows, this book is a breath of fresh air in its honest and down-to-earth approach to helping parents be the best parents they can be, while making clear that mistakes will be made and that there is no quick fix for dysfunctional family, unruly teens, and family fights. It is also refreshing to hear the author speak from her own experiences and explain how parents need to be open to change in order for their children to change. Stevens, additionally, offers sound advice for approaching their teens’ “odd” interests (hobbies, haircuts, styles), by not dismissing them altogether, but by getting to understand them and finding ways to compromise, something that takes an open mind and an ability to let go of some control over their children’s lives. Stevens’ advice is very practical, very doable, and can create a peaceful home, a good relationship between parents and kids, and aid in the formation of responsible, educated, happy young adults.

Writers Digest Magazine

Shelagh: What current projects are you working on?

Maggie: I love being in the zone of writing. When ideas hit and I sit down at my computer, hours fly by. Because of that, I have decided to stay with book writing instead of any other type of writing I could do. I am currently working on another self help book entitled Stuck. As I have traveled promoting my book and presenting parenting workshops, I have found many mothers who love the ideas in my book, but they are unable to implement them. These moms feel such guilt because they know they are failing. Hopefully this new book will help them move forward.
I am also working on a novel. It is a slow go with all the promoting, writing and just living life, but hopefully there will be more to tell in the next few months.

Shelagh: Where can people learn more?

Maggie: At my website:  www.parentfix.com We have it set up with a question and answer page, a blog page, my speaking engagements and you can even book me for a parenting workshop.
My book is in local bookstores, Amazon.com and at www.parentfix.com

Elizabeth Bennett

Elizabeth Bennett is currently listed with Who’s Who and has been recognized as one of the Great Women of the Twenty-first Century by the American Biographical Institute.

Shelagh: Please tell us a little about yourself, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: I grew up in the state of South Carolina. I’m a 1995 graduate of Clemson University with a M.Ed in Guidance and Counseling Services. I worked in the agency setting with children and adults for six years. Since 1995, I’ve been working on Peer Abuse through observational research and theory development. Through speaking engagements, talk radio, newspaper, internet and television, I’ve been able to educate others on Peer Abuse in the USA and Canada.

Shelagh: When did the writing bug bite, and in what genre(s)?

Elizabeth: I played around with writing as a teenager by writing plays. I wrote for the newspaper in college and as an adult have been writing. I blog, write articles and wrote my book “Peer Abuse Know More! Bullying from a Psychological Perspective”. So, off and on I have been writing for about 20 something years. Now, it is part of my work.

Shelagh: When you started writing, what goals did you want to accomplish? Is there a message you want readers to grasp?

Elizabeth: When I started writing it was for fun. I never had any goals set at all. Now, I do as I try and use my writing in educating others. I try to write at least three times a week.

Shelagh: Briefly tell us about your latest book. Is it part of a series or stand-alone?

Elizabeth: My book is a stand-alone. I use it as an educational tool on bullying and the fact that bullying is abuse.

Shelagh: What’s the hook for the book?

Elizabeth: That Peer Abuse is an adult problem because as adults, we allow it to continue.

Shelagh: How does your environment/upbringing color your writing?

Elizabeth: As I was bullied growing up and during the early part of my adulthood, it helps tremendously in educating others and knowing this problem and the realities of it.

Shelagh: Share the best review (or a portion) that you’ve ever had.

Elizabeth: “I met Elizabeth through networking after I was a Crisis Counselor at Columbine High School 4/20/99. I had researched the main causes of school violence and being bullied, as told by teens, was the top reason why. Having been through Peer Abuse herself, Elizabeth has dedicated her life in helping others understand how harmful bullying can be. The affects of being bullied as children can stay with them for the rest of their lives. Elizabeth, in her book and networking, shares such important information about bullying and how it can be stopped. For that I highly applaud her journey as she educates others.”

Ruthie Owen, former Columbine High School Crisis Counselor. Colorado

Shelagh: What are your current projects?

Elizabeth: Basically, writing each week on my blog and articles. Also, speaking at two schools in the near future to educate children and adults on the dangers of bullying.

Shelagh: Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

Elizabeth: Please visit me at http://www.peerabuse.info or can follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/PeerAbuse .

Shelagh: Thank you for visiting us today, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: Thanks for all you do and have a good week…