Inspiration for any parent wrestling with society’s expectations and acknowledging (and cherishing) what really matters... Sometimes staggering events happen in life and we’re thrown completely off balance. Chaos ensues both internally and externally. It was one such event that was pivotal for Patrick Riccards and set him on a journey of discovery toward what was truly important to him. When Riccards suddenly (and inexplicably) loses his job, he is devastated, but it forces him to take stock of his life – to re-examine his relationships, his perceptions of himself, his fears, his values, and dreams for the future. Dadprovement is his raw and honest account of recognizing that he wasn’t the great father or husband he thought he was, that he had simply been going through the motions. Starting with the adoption of two children from Guatemala, Riccards writes of the vast obstacles faced in the international adoption process, the challenges of building a family, and the rollercoaster ride that follows as one tries to balance career and home life. Part adoption story, part career memoir, and a complete telling of one man's path to personal and professional redemption, Dadprovement details some of the difficult truths to inspire and help other parents wrestling with how to live up to society's expectations when it comes to career and family. By getting to the root of what is truly important, Riccards recognizes what a “terrific support staff” he has in his family and that anything is possible with them by his side.

Nearly forty percent of all fourth graders in this country cannot read at grade level, and this number rises to sixty percent for children coming from poor families. This gap in learning increases as students go through grade school and is a primary reason for school failure. Ironically, this problem comes even after comprehensive research demonstrates that nearly all children can learn to read if taught using proven-effective instruction. Here, the authors describe the principles of this research in language that non-educators can understand and educators can use. It discusses how to recognize whether the research on reading is being used appropriately, and if not, how to make that happen. Through the eyes of parents and educators who have succeeded in their own struggles to change the educational system, the book provides the reader with the tools and knowledge for transforming the way reading is taught in their children's classrooms. This book takes the reader step-by-step through an understanding of the research on reading and ways in which a single, determined person can make a difference in the learning ability of every student in our nation's schools. Part One is a series of chapters written by individuals who discuss what they experienced during these battles and what made them successful. Part Two is written by a series of experts who describe how they have overcome the challenges involved in creating widespread change in school systems. This second edition also includes information on Common Core State Standards, increased testing and accountability efforts, and related policy issues that directly impact how children learn to read. The appendix is filled with resources-people, places, sample tools, a glossary and bibliography to help the reader. Some key features of this book include: Easy to understand descriptions of research First-person stories of how they have helped teach their kids to read Clear understanding of scientifically based reading and how it can be applied to the classroom Summary of reading-related Common Core State Standards Sample tools for parent advocates Resource lists of government officials, organizations that can help with reading efforts

Cheer dad! The incredible lessons from this middle-aged man learned coaching a team of tween girls. When Patrick first became a "boy cheer coach" a few years back, he had no idea what was in store for him. He had agreed simply because his daughter asked him to. Once the deal was done, there was no turning back! Initially, Patrick struggles to fit in with a group of women and feels out of place. Will he ever truly belong? Working with nineteen tween girls and absolutely no understanding about cheer or cheer competitions, surprisingly cheer soon becomes part of his DNA. It was quite a learning experience. Together, they overcame major adversity to win second place at Globals and place Top 10 at Nationals. Over the course of four years, he helped these girls' become athletes and young women, including during the struggles of COVID and how it took a final season away from his daughter and many of her teammates. Dad in a Cheer Bow provides us with an in-depth look into the cheerleading world and this father's relationship with his daughter. It begins with him believing he would just stand in the back as a volunteer, but he couldn't be more wrong. The pressures of coaching were high, and the stress of managing work and being a coach was beginning to get too much, but the payoff was well worth it. Being a Wildcat cheerleader made Patrick a better dad and a better man.

Inspiration for any parent wrestling with society's expectations and acknowledging (and cherishing) what really matters... Sometimes staggering events happen in life and we're thrown completely off balance. Chaos ensues both internally and externally. It was one such event that was pivotal for Patrick Riccards and set him on a journey of discovery toward what was truly important to him. When Riccards suddenly (and inexplicably) loses his job, he is devastated, but it forces him to take stock of his life - to reexamine his relationships, his perceptions of himself, his fears, his values, and dreams for the future. Dadprovement is his raw and honest account of recognizing that he wasn't the great father or husband he thought he was, that he had simply been going through the motions. Starting with the adoption of two children from Guatemala, Riccards writes of the vast obstacles faced in the international adoption process, the challenges of building a family, and the rollercoaster ride that follows as one tries to balance career and home life. Part adoption story, part career memoir, and a complete telling of one man's path to personal and professional redemption, Dadprovement details some of the difficult truths to inspire and help other parents wrestling with how to live up to society's expectations when it comes to career and family. By getting to the root of what is truly important, Riccards recognizes what a "terrific support staff" he has in his family and that anything is possible with them by his side.

Now in its second edition, Parenting Culture Studies seeks to understand how parenting is taken as a particular mode of childrearing that reflects broader social trends. Ten years after the initial volume's groundbreaking publication, the authors once again closely examine how the main aspects of parenting have been established, explored, and critically evaluated. Chapters revisit phenomena such as intensive parenting and politics around parenting, as well as controversial issues including policing pregnant women's bodies and parental determinism. In addition to updates throughout the volume, including those addressing literature that has built from the book’s original publication, the book features a new third part discussing parents dealing with risk assessment, school closures, contradictory care arrangements, and vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A fully revised and updated edition of this unique and authoritative reference The award-winning A Guide to Treatments that Work , published in 1998, was the first book to assemble the numerous advances in both clinical psychology and psychiatry into one accessible volume. It immediately established itself as an indispensable reference for all mental health practitioners. Now in a fully updated edition,A Guide to Treatments that Work, Second Edition brings together, once again, a distinguished group of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists to take stock of which treatments and interventions actually work, which don't, and what still remains beyond the scope of our current knowledge. The new edition has been extensively revised to take account of recent drug developments and advances in psychotherapeutic interventions. Incorporating a wealth of new information, these eminent researchers and clinicians thoroughly review all available outcome data and clinical trials and provide detailed specification of methods and procedures to ensure effective treatment for each major DSM-IV disorder. As an interdisciplinary work that integrates information from both clinical psychology and psychiatry, this new edition will continue to serve as an essential volume for practitioners of every kind: psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, and mental health consultants.

Argues that the education system in America needs to make drastic changes in order to build a system of high-achieving and equitable schools that protects every child's right to learn.