Hillary Frank's literary contributions delve into the complexities of adolescence and the journey of self-discovery. Her writing is characterized by its raw honesty and keen ability to capture authentic young voices, often exploring themes of identity and resilience. Through her novels, Frank examines the tension between external expectations and internal desires, crafting narratives that resonate with readers seeking understanding and connection. Her approach is deeply empathetic, offering readers insight into the inner lives and emotional landscapes of her characters.
Jake learns that words can lead to conflict after a fight with his best friend. Convinced that speaking brings trouble, he turns to writing as a safer means of communication. Through notes on napkins, notebooks, and even upside-down calculators, he embarks on a journey of self-expression, discovering new ways to articulate his thoughts and feelings.
Unconventional--yet effective--parenting strategies, carefully curated by the creator of the popular podcast The Longest Shortest Time Some of the best parenting advice that Hillary Frank ever received did not come from parenting experts, but from friends and podcast listeners who acted on a whim, often in moments of desperation. These "weird parenting wins" were born of moments when the expert advice wasn't working, and instead of freaking out, these parents had a stroke of genius. For example, there's the dad who pig-snorted in his baby's ear to get her to stop crying, and the mom who made a "flat daddy" out of cardboard and sat it at the dinner table when her kids were missing their deployed military father. Every parent and kid is unique, and as we get to know our kids, we can figure out what makes them tick. Because this is an ongoing process, Weird Parenting Wins covers children of all ages, ranging in topics from "The Art of Getting Your Kid to Act Like a Person" (on hygiene, potty training, and manners) to "The Art of Getting Your Kid to Tell You Things" (because eventually, they're going to be tight-lipped). You may find that someone else's weird parenting win works for you, or you might be inspired to try something new the next time you're stuck in a parenting rut. Or maybe you'll just get a good laugh out of the mom who got her kid to try beets because...it might turn her poop pink.