Here Be Dragons: A Parent's Guide to Rediscovering Purpose, Adventure, and the Unfathomable Joy of the Journey

by Annmarie Kelly-Harbaugh, Ken Harbaugh

Before our three kids, we had been decent people. Interesting even. One of us had taught Shakespeare to gang members while the other flew reconnaissance missions off North Korea. But our own children had proven our biggest challenge. We were passionate and service-driven folks, except we were not demonstrating this to our kids. We spent so much time trying to be good parents that we forgot to be good people.

Something had to change.


Two parents challenge one another to find balance between work and family life. Their stories are both uproarious and poignant as they raise children and strive to leave their mark on the wider world. Filled with tender moments and plenty of laughs, Here Be Dragons recounts the adventures of a family trying to stay afloat, and offers a life raft to the rest of us in choppy waters.

Genres: Parenting, Family

226 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2016

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are two parents trying to teach their kids what it means to be fully engaged by living a fully engaged life themselves. Their giving spirits come through loud and clear. They show the ebb and flow of a marriage with kids and they do it with warmth and humor.

https://stacybuckeye.com/2017/01/09/h...

[Crystal Reaume · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautiful and wonderful book.
It quickly became my favourite parenting book; it didn't tell me HOW to parent. It showed me how a wonderful couple is navigating their parenting experience while still being the humans that theya re.
I adored it.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptionally well written book with family events happening told from two perspectives: a wife and a husband. Funny, passionate, and honest. Wonderful stories about their family that inspire and motivated me to want to show my kids more of the world we live in. It made me want to show my kids more about their service to others instead of being all about them all the time. Wonderfully told from the couple who have a lovely blog: www.dadvmom.com Order it and read it!

[Jean Reinhold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never had my own children, but I’m a teacher, and I wish I would’ve read this book at the start of my career. The authors’ honestly show us how two people reach for their own dreams while parenting children, how that affects and changes the decisions they make, and – most amazingly- how to do this with a great sense of adventure and service. This book taught me the importance of being all in, truly living your one precious life. I loved the contrasting voices of AnnMarie and Ken. Highly recommend this book.

[Maynard Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A celebration of the highs and lows of parenting that made me laugh and cry "Here be Dragons" is an poignant and enjoyable memoir of the Kelly-Harbaugh's early years of parenting three kids and seeking adventure and purpose for themselves and their children. Ken and Annmarie write with an honest and reflective style that is both touching and profound.

[Amy Bermudez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! I loved this book! It's so beautifully written. The emotional parts really touched me. (I cried reading about Shadow as I stroked the gray face of my 10 year old dog.) I repeatedly laughed out loud about the adventures (misadventures?). Both writers have distinct voices but they blend so well together. I don't have kids, but I still found so much of the book relatable. I would have liked to hear more about the marital strife that's mentioned in the book, but I think that says more about me than the writers. Overall, I liked this book so much that I flew through it and will recommend it to my friends!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant story about a couple seeking purpose in the everyday and not-so-everyday events. Annmarie and Ken share their insights about dating, marriage, child-rearing, and callings. I loved the honesty of their stories; daring to write about what many married couples experience, but fail to admit. We can all learn a lot about living - truly living, despite challenges, and constant changes in the pages of “Here Be Dragons”.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book quite a bit. It is so nice to read a book about a husband and wife that are committed to their marriage yet really try to encourage each other to follow the goals they have set for themselves...and they do this trying to raise three children and move across the country! There are quite a few lessons to be learned from reading this book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - I laughed out loud at the honeymoon story and cried when shadow passed. A great read for all to take a look at how you live your life! A lesson for everyone. Take a look - you won't be disappointed!

[Sandra Barna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Beyond enjoyable

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

[Kathleen Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly wonderful read

Annmarie and Ken are both gifted writers, and I was all-in within the first few pages. What struck me most quickly about both of them was what exceptional humans they are Even as college students, they knew their lives would involve serving others, and a greater purpose. And as the story of their life together unfolds, it’s conveyed in beautifully vivid detail coupled with emotional honesty. This book isn’t just for parents…but for anyone interested in an inspirational, uplifting read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would really like to give it closer to 3.5, but I'll round up. It was a good book, but I had hoped for a little more parenting "guidance" rather than just their life story. I did like how everything looped back to their 9 'Nuns and Cans' of parenting, but I was still hoping for more. That's not to say that I disliked their story or that it wasn't entertaining, I just felt like I was missing something.

[Julie Dilts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I was just expecting something different. I wasn’t interested in reading about their life. I was looking for more thoughts on parenting. Maybe I didn’t read far enough, but I was about 1/3 of the way through the book and they weren’t parents yet. Given the title includes “parent’s guide” , that wasn’t what I expected. With different expectations, I might have enjoyed it more.

[Marco G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very charming book about the experiences of parents who choose the unknown paths, the unknown parts of the sea littered with dragons.