Small Boat, Wide Sea: Parenting in the 21st Century

Small Boat, Wide Sea was primarily motivated by the author’s fascination and concern with adolescent risk-taking behaviors, such as reckless driving, marijuana smoking, and binge drinking. Attempting to counsel and console battle-weary parents led her to an impassioned search for answers to an age-old question: “Why do such smart kids make such dumb choices?” The intention of this book is to share insights with parents who are currently preparing their young children (and themselves) for adolescence. The author endeavors to present a balanced, realistic view of parenting’s challenges and rewards. Her desire is to motivate, support, and encourage parents. Although the book is based on empirical research, it is void of jargon-laden, technical descriptions of complex theories of human development and provides only enough explanation to lend credibility to the “bottom line”—the application to parenting. Written from a Christian perspective, a common thread throughout the book are references to the Bible and the great importance of a connection with Someone greater than oneself.