Comments on: Igniting Their Spark

By: PJ Mullen

PJ Mullen — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:53:08 +0000

Thank you, yes, you are absolutely correct. If we are not making the effort to engage them, how will we ever know what makes them tick, what drives them. And, if we don't do that, how are we ever going to be there to guide them. I plan on sharing my successes and failures with my son. I think it is important that he learn where and how I failed so he understands that missteps are part of life, but that as long as you learn from them everything will be ok. We can't, and shouldn't, insulate them from failure, but teach them to embrace the life lesson. Sometimes falling on your face, while painful, can be the best thing that ever happens to you.

By: PJ Mullen

PJ Mullen — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:53:08 +0000

By: PJ Mullen

PJ Mullen — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:53:08 +0000

By: mrman

mrman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:16:47 +0000

Thanks for the greatbook review. We all want our kids to be the best they can be, but it certainly starts with us.

By: PJ Mullen

PJ Mullen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:53:46 +0000

Thanks man, I just gave you the cliff notes version If you do end up checking this book out chapter 6 is the most important one for parents. While there is plenty anecdotal stuff leading up to it, that is the chapter designed for parents.

By: PJ Mullen

PJ Mullen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:50:15 +0000

Thank you, I appreciate that. I've made, and will continue to make plenty of mistakes, but learning from them is the whole point. If I can pass that on to my son, to not let the missteps hold him back from trying something new or doing something he loves, then I've done my job. Sounds like you and the Mister have done so too.

By: PJ Mullen

PJ Mullen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:48:45 +0000

The way I look at it is I have to help my son find his strength. This most likely means he'll try things that he thinks he'll be good at, but won't. It is my job to teach him all it means is that he either has to try harder or try something else. I'm sure you'll do an awesome job helping your girls make those decisions too.

By: PJ Mullen

PJ Mullen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:46:14 +0000

I've fallen on my face more than I care to admit, but I've always managed to come out of it unscathed. I like to think that my parents instilled this in me and I owe it to him to do the same. Like you said, we can only guide them to making the right choice. They have to actually choose it and make it work for them. Thanks for stopping by!

By: PJ Mullen

PJ Mullen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:44:24 +0000

Wow, that is a cool idea. I started writing my little man letters when we first found out my wife was pregnant. I want to bundle them up and give them to him when he's older. Kind of like a score card to see how I did as a dad

By: thedevoteddad

thedevoteddad — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:16:29 +0000

Wow PJ- you are a very insightful person. As parents we often reflect on our own upbringings and paths taken to guide our children on their path. I especially liked your discussion about embracing your failures, which is a part of how paths are chosen. While I would love to, and might read this book someday, I wonder if they will ever come out with the cliffnotes version.