About the Book

Book: Raising Kids Who Care

Author: Susy Lee

Genre: Non-fiction: Parenting and Family

Release date: June, 2022

Imagine knowing what your kids care about, having them listen to what you care about, then doing something about it, together!

Communication and connection are the key, and this is exactly what this book allows you to do. It guides you through 40 conversations to have with your kids, ones that really matter.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, educator or just care about kids and the world they’re growing up in, this book will provide you with rich resources and surprising insights to create that genuine connection.

In our complex world, we need to be aware of looming pitfalls and be intentional in helping kids navigate their way to compassion and wonder, driven by values and purpose. This path of conversations leads to amazing hope.

We all want kids to have happy, loving lives. As a society, we need kids who are also capable of thinking and acting beyond themselves to help others have happy, loving lives too. This book gives you what you’ll need to achieve both.

Inside, you’ll discover:

• Stories and research to inform your conversations
• Relationship skills to build empathy (like listening and conflict resolution)
• How to combat the worrying influences of our culture (like consumerism and technology)
• How to grow resilience, self-confidence, character, and strength
• How our kids can solve problems, rather than being brought down by them
• Thoughts and tips from other parents
• Advice from caring young adults about what worked for them!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susy Lee helps families build a strong culture of communication and contribution. Her book ‘Raising Kids Who Care’ is the winner of international prizes from the Best Indie, Royal Dragonfly and Feathered Quill Book Awards.

Majors in psychology and theology, and a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, helped Susy consider how parenting and wealth equity play roles in social cohesion. Her career twirls around the twin themes of social justice and children, including state and national education and consultancy roles with children and families, international aid and development, and advocacy.

Susy is also an engaging presenter who has taught in schools and churches, lectured at universities, and run conference workshops for parents and families.

She lives a bike ride from the beach in Sydney, Australia, dances whenever music plays, and has raised two caring sons with her husband Brian. Susy has created generational change in her family.

More from Susy

I didn’t grow up in a Christian family, but I loved watching my children grow up in our church community. They had relationships of all ages and many opportunities to practise caring – things I’d missed.My boys grew to be young men who are kind and faithful, with careers that will contribute to God’s world.

In my book I’ve brought together some useful stuff I’ve researched (because I didn’t trust my own broken upbringing), and that I’ve learnt in my ministry with caring Christian organizations. And I’ve made it a resource for families to talk together – kids are amazing when we make time to really listen to them.

This book is not just for Christians though. I wrote it for parents who care about growing compassion and generosity in their kids. I wrote for parents who want to protect their kids from the strong cultural forces in our world that would lead kids astray. And I wrote it for parents who want to raise kids who believe they can do something about the problems in the world, not be overwhelmed by them.

I also wrote it for grandparents to give to their kids who are now parents – maybe even those who no longer go to church. I wrote it for parents who want to be intentional – maybe because their parents were not. And I wrote it to help churches reach out to parents who need support and encouragement.

Just quietly: I want to change the world, one family at a time! I love the vision of the Kingdom of God, and I think that families who know how to communicate well, about all the issues that surround them, will be better equipped to help bring the Kingdom to earth, as it is in heaven.

I’m delighted that God has already blessed my work – the book has won several prizes including First Place in The 2022 Christian Indie Awards in the Relationships and Family Category. Many churches have already used the book to run events for families. You can learn more about me and the book on my website: https://www.raisingkidswhocare.info/

Author Interview:

What role does God play in your writing career?

Several years ago, I woke in the night with ideas for my book pouring into my head so fast I had to get up and scribble them down. It felt like a gift from God. I’ve worked in ministry roles most of my career and this book is a collection of learnings from my work with families and with aid and development organizations. Overarching all is a desire to be useful to God as He brings the Kingdom of God to earth, as it is in heaven. This work is my little contribution, and the opportunities that have opened feel like God’s encouragement to me.

What is the hardest aspect of writing?

My first thought would be procrastination, but I read that underneath procrastination is always ‘fear’. At one point I was really stuck, so I tried to think about what I was afraid of. I had an absent father most of my life, and a subconscious theme I’ve discovered is that I try to achieve, in order to win his love. I was afraid of the public failure that writing a poor book would mean, because if achievement makes me loveable, then I suddenly realized failure = un-loveable! Recognizing this helped me push through, but procrastination hasn’t been totally eliminated.

Do you have a team or do you manage all aspects of writing by yourself? How do you balance writing, marketing, social media, etc.?

I self-published my book so I learnt to be a writer, and then I had to learn to be a publisher, and then take on the daunting task of promoting. I didn’t have the confidence early on to pitch to a publisher, but I’m glad now, because I loved learning all the parts of the book business. There are so many lovely people online willing to help, but some steep learning curves too. Now that my book has won awards and I have parents thanking me, I have a bit more confidence to share the good news around!

Are you an introvert or extrovert? Do you think that helps (or hinders) your writing?

I’m definitely an extrovert, so sitting alone in my office writing was VERY HARD! It’s like giving birth actually – excruciating to get out, adorable to look at when it’s done, then requiring daily attention or it will die! Now I’m in the promoting phase though, my extroversion is a big help. I love public speaking and I love talking about the ideas in my book, so my book events are great fun!

What’s one fun thing you’d like your readers to know about you?

At the same time that I was learning to be a writer, I learnt to tap dance! It was a great joy to get up from my desk to dance. Using a different part of my brain, practicing tapping during breaks, and watching my slow but definite improvement really helped me get through, I think. Writing and dancing are linked in my body now!

Thanks for connecting today.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to focus on seeing

“JESUS in the EVERYDAY?”

Would you like to be a part of a membership where everyday you are pointed back to God and seeing Him in your everyday life?

If that sounds like something you’re interested in, I invite you to come check it out!

Don’t forget to check out the other blog spots listed below for your convenience.

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, July 29

Lights in a Dark World, July 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 30

Texas Book-aholic, July 31

For Him and My Family, August 1

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 3

deb’s Book Review, August 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 6

Spoken from the Heart, August 7 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 7

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 9

Cats in the Cradle Blog, August 10

The Christian Fiction Girl, August 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susy is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.