Muddling Through: Perspectives on Parenting

by Bil Lepp

“When I was asked to write this book it was not because I am an accredited child rearing expert. I have no degree, credentials or recognition as a child raising expert. I am a professional storyteller who occasionally tells stories about parenting. Here’s an important credential I do hold: I have won the West Virginia Liars’ Contest five times.. . The advice I offer, however, is honest. I have two kids who, at this writing, are eight and eleven years old. That gives me nineteen collective years in the parenting trenches. I cannot claim to be a successful parent. I’m not sure when any parent can deem their job a success. Your child’s whole life will be greatly determined by the portion they spend with you. I am offering what advice I can with the idea that I think my wife and I are doing pretty well.

112 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Bil Lepp is an award-winning storyteller, author, recording artist, and contributing
columnist for the Charleston Gazette-
Mail. He has been a professional storyteller for more than twenty years, appearing regularly at The National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, as well as at festivals, schools, corporate events, and other venues around the country. In 2018, Lepp was presented West Virginia’s highest Folklife honor, The Vandalia Award. He hosted the television show Man vs History on the History Channel. For more information and for booking please visit leppstorytelling.com

Lepp's debut picture book, The King of Little Things, was published in September of 2013, by Peachtree Publishers. The King of Little Things won the PEN Steven Kroll Award, is a Bankstreet Irma Black Award Honoree, a Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner, and was a nominee for the Kansas Reading Assoc. Bill Martin, Jr. Award and the Delaware Diamonds Award. The book received a Kirkus Starred Review, as well as favorable reviews from The Wall Street Journal, The School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other sources.

Reviews

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up to 4 stars because I really enjoy Bil Lepp, however I think listening to him (or even better, seeing him in person) is the best way to go. I liked his comments about teaching kids things. Don’t be so focused on them having fun the way you want them to have fun that it ruins them having fun. I liked his description of taking his kids fishing, and how if all they remember was sitting in buckets and sliding down muddy hills but it got them loving “fishing” (even though the kids didn’t really fish) then it’s a win. I also thought his comment on teaching kids to ride a bike was spot on: the parents aren’t the ones getting hurt when the bike falls over, so keep that in mind.

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was funny, and I always prefer to learn my lessons with some humor. And I did learn some good lessons--the best of which was to make sure you aren't forcing your kids to have fun the way you planned for them--just let the fun happen!
Maybe it's because Bil Lepp is a professional storyteller, but this book was so easy and fast to read. I really liked the asides he put in at the end of each section, especially the ones geared towards kids.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and insightful. Fun to learn some of his families traditions.

[Nathalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bil Lepp is one of my favorite storytellers. This was a really quick read on his observations on parenting. I quite enjoyed it and wished I had read it when I was raising children. It brought wisdom, wit and comfort. Again, it made me wistful that I could go back in time and have another go at raising my children, now that I feel I have a bit more wisdom and perspective and not taking myself so seriously. But then, we do the best we can with the knowledge we had then. Still, it was a little sad how quickly that time period went, even though it seemed that it would never end at the time. Highly recommended to YOUNG parents!

[Christopher Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen Bil Lepp in person and heard his fantastic stories, but this book goes beyond what I've seen him accomplish in front of a crowd. It's not only funny, it's moving and poignant; it reminds us of what we hoped to be as parents and the grand visions we had when we first held our baby. Bil reminds us of what we're capable of and how to get there--it's really simple, to play, to love, to cook, to listen, to have tradition, etc. A great book for any parent, whether just starting out or a veteran.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Saw Bil Lep at National Storytelling Festival October 2014 and he was hilarious! The book however, disappointed me. There was only one story that came close to being as funny as he was in person. While I took into account that he is a 5-time winner of the West Virginia Liars contest, the "parenting advice" came off flat. Sorry, Bil. Absolutely love listening to you!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny and thought provoking! Nice insights from a parent who is a kid at heart.