Overview

I was trying to get pregnant, and having difficulty, when I came up with the idea for this book. I was deep in thought about what kind of parent I would become and I felt the need to share the life lessons I've learned with my hypothetical children. That's what a parent does, right? Guide their children based on their own experiences? The problem is then I would have to admit to my mistakes and divulge information that I felt shouldn't necessarily come from the picture in my head of an ideal parent. This is the important stuff and it should be shared, but I've always been better at writing, so this book is my way to communicate all these gems: lessons learned, mistakes I've made, and told in an honest, call-it-like-it-is manner. Maya and Cami, this book is for you. Take these stories and do with them what you will. Some of these are things I wished my parents had told me, some of these would be regrets if I believed in regrets, and some of these stories will hopefully correct misinformation. These are my experiences, so take them with a grain of salt. You are different from me so you may never need some of these pages. In fact, I hope you don't. But some pages you will need and if there is ever any doubt in your mind that I was once young or flawed, you will soon know otherwise. And I hope you will know from this book that you can talk to me about anything, no matter how difficult. Or, if you can't, write me a letter and I'll write back. To my parents, you did a wonderful job raising me and you gave me so much. This is certainly not a comment on my childhood or your parenting skills. It's actually more about my fears as a parent and the standard that you set, because you set the bar pretty high. In fact, you will find some amazing memories in these pages if you read them. You are also wonderful grandparents and I hope that if my girls can't talk to me about something, they will be able to talk to you. For everyone else who picks up this book: I hope you feel a little less alone or horrible, maybe hopeful, and even laugh a little. I've wondered if I'm screwing up my children. I've felt like a horrible parent. I have even felt like a horrible teenager! I hope that this book gives you the courage to talk to your kids about the hard stuff. I hope it starts a new conversation. Parenting today isn't what is was when my parents raised me. Kids have access to so much information and as parents we need to be a big part of the information pie. I even hope that some teenagers read this book so they can find the courage to talk to their parents. Every generation hopes that they can do things a little better than the generation before and I'm doing that the only way I know how, by writing.

Full Product Details

9781777534509

Table of Contents

Reviews

The stories and lessons Marcia shares are moving and her strength shines through. It is clear that the words that fill these pages come from genuine feelings and in reading them I found hope, humour, and a connection. I love how Marcia points out that shit isn't perfect and we don't have to be perfect to live, to love, to learn, and to parent. We just have to be who we are. How many times as parents do we look in the mirror and ask our reflection if we are getting this parenting business right? Are we doing the best we can for these developing souls? I had no idea before becoming a parent myself that there was so much uncertainty wrapped into the role of parenting. Looking back at memories of growing up is a bona fide way to not only help ourselves parent, but to help our children thrive; parenting really is 'making mistakes and keeping it real.' - Shari Marshall, Author of Brewing Coffee, Twisting Words and Breaking Pencils These pages held my hand, hugged my heart, and eased my mind. Filled with wisdom and peppered with wit, Letters to My Hypothetical Children is more than just a book; it is the reassuring voice of a friend when you need it most. Thank you, Marcia Allyn Luke, for making life's journey feel less lonely, for having the courage to talk about the things we often keep hidden, and for inspiring me to find my own light in the dark. - A.L. Dragin Letters to my Hypothetical Children is a poignant, refreshing, and relatable look at mistakes made, lessons learned, and a reminder that you must advocate for yourself to ensure your own happiness in life and well-being. Marcia Allyn Luke's honest review of her experiences in her childhood, teens, and early adulthood are not unlike many of our own. Her reflection on how these experiences influenced the life she has forged for herself in adulthood act as a prompt for the reader to reflect on who they were and who they became. I could not help but think about my own life experiences, good or bad, and how they shaped who I am now as an individual, as a mother, and as a friend. The vulnerability in her words and the encounters and events that she shares draws you in as a reader. I could not help but laugh at a few of her descriptions of her friends and cry as she recounted her last moments with her dog, Maggie. Learning about her feelings as she dealt with both infertility, the dissolution of her marriage, and a head trauma, secured for me, as the reader, her need and ability to 'fight' for her right to live the life that she wants. This autobiographical story was an affirmation for me that I, too, am worthy. And at the very least, that we are all allowed to make mistakes, learn from them, and that it is okay to keep it real. With today's self-proclaimed 'lifestyle gurus' telling us on social media how to be better versions of ourselves, we as women (with both seen and unseen pressures) need to read stories and observations like Marcia's. - K.E.

"""The stories and lessons Marcia shares are moving and her strength shines through. It is clear that the words that fill these pages come from genuine feelings and in reading them I found hope, humour, and a connection. I love how Marcia points out that shit isn't perfect and we don't have to be perfect to live, to love, to learn, and to parent. We just have to be who we are. How many times as parents do we look in the mirror and ask our reflection if we are getting this parenting business right? Are we doing the best we can for these developing souls? I had no idea before becoming a parent myself that there was so much uncertainty wrapped into the role of parenting. Looking back at memories of growing up is a bona fide way to not only help ourselves parent, but to help our children thrive; parenting really is 'making mistakes and keeping it real.'"" - Shari Marshall, Author of Brewing Coffee, Twisting Words and Breaking Pencils ""These pages held my hand, hugged my heart, and eased my mind. Filled with wisdom and peppered with wit, Letters to My Hypothetical Children is more than just a book; it is the reassuring voice of a friend when you need it most. Thank you, Marcia Allyn Luke, for making life's journey feel less lonely, for having the courage to talk about the things we often keep hidden, and for inspiring me to find my own light in the dark."" - A.L. Dragin ""Letters to my Hypothetical Children is a poignant, refreshing, and relatable look at mistakes made, lessons learned, and a reminder that you must advocate for yourself to ensure your own happiness in life and well-being. Marcia Allyn Luke's honest review of her experiences in her childhood, teens, and early adulthood are not unlike many of our own. Her reflection on how these experiences influenced the life she has forged for herself in adulthood act as a prompt for the reader to reflect on who they were and who they became. I could not help but think about my own life experiences, good or bad, and how they shaped who I am now as an individual, as a mother, and as a friend. The vulnerability in her words and the encounters and events that she shares draws you in as a reader. I could not help but laugh at a few of her descriptions of her friends and cry as she recounted her last moments with her dog, Maggie. Learning about her feelings as she dealt with both infertility, the dissolution of her marriage, and a head trauma, secured for me, as the reader, her need and ability to 'fight' for her right to live the life that she wants. This autobiographical story was an affirmation for me that I, too, am worthy. And at the very least, that we are all allowed to make mistakes, learn from them, and that it is okay to keep it real. With today's self-proclaimed 'lifestyle gurus' telling us on social media how to be better versions of ourselves, we as women (with both seen and unseen pressures) need to read stories and observations like Marcia's."" - K.E."

Author Information

"Marcia Allyn Luke has a Masters in Professional Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, from Western University, an Honours Bachelor in English from the University of Guelph, and a postgraduate Publishing Certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Marcia's favourite pastime is reading and she can often be found with her nose in a book. She has been a writer at heart from the very beginning, writing children's books for younger grades in elementary school. Marcia has contributed to an internationally bestselling book, ""Silent Grief, Healing, & Hope"", and written numerous articles for TWINS Magazine, New Dreamhomes Magazine, and Life in Multiples.Marcia has a passion for education and lifelong learning, devoting her career to publishing educational resources, developing curriculum, and teaching at the post-secondary level. She has been teaching since 2017 and has taught courses such as Introductory Communications, Virtual Culture, Anthropology (survey), Children's Literature, Professional Communications, College English, Copyediting, and Academic Research and Writing at Fleming College, George Brown College, and Humber College. Marcia has worked in post-secondary education and publishing since 2006 in a variety of editorial, marketing, management, and sales positions, providing a unique, holistic perspective.Marcia is currently the Vice President, National Executive Council for Editors Canada. She likes to volunteer for causes related to health awareness, children's and women's rights, and donates blood on a regular basis. Outside of work, Marcia is a mom to twins."

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