A practical guide that encourages families to return to the basics of parenting in order to raise happy, respectful, and loving children. The rules and guidelines for raising families in our crisis-oriented, communication overloaded, high-pressure culture are changing by the minute. Yet, the fundamental principles of effective parenting remain. As parents seek to support children who are learning to hold their own in today's divided society, they need reassuring and consistent information on how to keep their family going in the right direction. In Steadfast Parenting: How to Raise Children of Character in a World That Sorely Needs Them, educator, counselor, mother, and grandmother Patricia McGann shares practical advice for parents as they navigate the bumpy, unpredictable road of parenting. With a special focus on building a positive relationship between parents and children, McGann returns to the basics for how to raise happy, healthy, and kind kids. She walks parents through the family, social, and school issues for each stage of development--infants, toddlers, elementary-aged, tweens, and teens--reminding parents throughout that they should trust their instincts and enjoy the small, shiny moments that occur along the way. Steadfast Parenting encourages parents to abandon the desire to follow society's ridiculous expectations for them and their little ones. Instead, parents and children can and should appreciate the relationship that is uniquely theirs. Referring to this guidetime and again, parents can find reassurance and helpful advice as they raise children of integrity who will contribute in a meaningful way to the world in which we live.
Patricia McGann is an educational consultant at the McGann Group, which she established to provide professional development to schools. Shehas master's degrees in counseling and educational administration and has been a nurse, counselor, teacher, administrator, and principal.
"Patricia McGann has combined her many years of education with an exhaustive list of real life experience to craft a light hearted, non-judgmental, reassuring guide to parenting. Patricia's thoroughly entertaining, practical and easy to read primer on parenting can bring out the best in any parent and child!" --Joseph Dungan, 50-year legal career and 16 years as a trial court judge, as well as a prosecutor, trail attorney in private practice. Father of 4, grandfather of 14. Youth coach and husband for over 50 years. "Throughout her life and career, [Mrs. McGann] has helped those around her through her expertise and encouraging, reassuring example. She has guided countless parents and students through every situation imaginable. This wonderful book brings her timeless and necessary wisdom home to anyone trying their best with a child." --Richard Dwyer, Head of Upper School, Director of Mission, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School "As an educator with over 30 years of classroom teaching experience, I highly recommend "Glitter". I have taught many troubled children whose problems could have been prevented had their parents read this guide. The strategies in the discipline chapter are brilliant, yet simple. This would be a great book for teachers to recommend and share with their students' parents. "Glitter" is a feel good book that not only inspires parents, but also gives them practical solutions of many of the common struggles parents experience. This simple, empowering book will help parents relax and enjoy the difficult yet rewarding journey of parenting!" --Kathleen Dugan, Teacher of 30+ years, Montgomery County Public Schools "It doesn't matter if you're a helicopter parent or a single mom working two jobs, Patricia McGann's eminently readable book resonates because of her practical advice and laugh out loud observations on parenting. McGann has walked the walk, working with children from kindergarten through high school, and raising five children successfully to adulthood. Her advice is be there, be loving, be honest, be consistent, and be accepting of your mistakes and your children's stumbles, and keep on trying. My biggest takeaway, however, was be ready for the unexpected, because it will happen, both good and bad, in ways you never could have imagined. She also gives us hope - if you're there every day, caring and doing your best, everything will probably turn out OK." --Jim and Terri Nelson, Jim Nelson is a certified accountant and college accounting professor. Terri Nelson if a Compliancxe Officer (Children's Safe Sleep Team) and part of the Federal Government Consumer Product Safety Commision "My three boys had the privilege of having Mrs. McGann as a principal for ten years. Her wonderful Wednesday Words sent home each week always landed with me as the words God needed me to hear and understand at that time. Am delighted that this book will be able to provide that insight and wisdom to everyone, not just our tight-knit community. You will laugh, you will cry, you will question, but most of all, you will appreciate. Mrs. McGann's writing style is honest, funny, and sometimes hard to hear. The writing stays with you, and circles back like a vivid memory when you need to be opened to a thought at a particular moment. It is written with love, compassion and understanding from a wonderful mom, wife, friend and educator." --Susan M. Apgood, Executive Vice President, Client Relations & Founder of News Generation, Inc. "Patricia McGann's book is a treasure trove of outstanding advice, inspiring anecdotes, religious reflections (all strongly faith-based but not always what you might expect), and personal testimonials. Her words ring true throughout. Her grace under fire, in all aspects of her life, comes through cogently and consistently, as does her love for others, and most of all for her students. My own personal favorite aspect of the book, however, is her smart and sound advice about how to parent in a world of smart phones, social media, and modern-day materialism. You will look far and wide for wiser--or more helpful--words." --Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow and Director of Research, Foreign Policy Program, Brookings Institution As a middle school assistant principal and special education teacher with over twenty years of experience as well as a mother of three, I understand that teaching, like parenting, is more of an art than a science. McGann's poignantly written words provide the framework for cultivating individual works of art within the gallery of family and family values. The author's wisdom and expertise as a mother and educator provide perspective on the complicated and joyful job of raising a child. "Realistic and consistent expectations" provide the safety children need to flourish. Schools are tasked to create environments where children flourish, however this can only be successful when parents are partners with this task. When parents and schools support one another children grow, learn, and make mistakes all of which leads to healthy development of character. McGann's wisdom from her years in education with her lessons learned from parenthood helps parents to "be the parents that they (children) need us to be." --Michelle C. Harmon, Master in Special Education, Assistant Principal, Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland, National Board Certified Teacher Patricia McGann has captured what those who love children need to consider in order to truly care for them and to help them blossom into their best selves. During her decades as a counselor, educator and principal, Tricia worked tirelessly to form a truly inclusive culture in her schools, where each child was accepted, loved, and given an opportunity to contribute to the community. Her in-person work during the pandemic is just one indicator of her true devotion to the needs of children; her wisdom in these pages is invaluable. --Doreen Engel, Director of Children and Youth Services at The Arc Montgomery County The success of any school rises and falls with the quality and consistency of its leadership. Mrs. Mcgann is a once in a generation leader. Her insight and perspective are well earned and invaluable to me still. I had the privilege of watching Mrs. McGann time and again lead our school to do things that people told us could not be done. Always placing the children first. Through it all she had the courage, compassion and integrity to boldly live out the most important philosophy a leader can have. "We are in this together". By never losing her hope, her faith or her sense of humor Mrs. McGann transformed the way Catholic schools operate. --David Long, Principal, Our Lady of Lourdes, Catholic School
