Always a Parent

by Gouri Dange

"Always a Parent is quite literally an MRI scan of the parent-child relationship after the children are grown people, and possibly themselves parents. The author examines the inner workings and the push and pull of the Indian family. Parents continue to be deeply invested in their children, well after they become adults. And children continue to draw strength from parents, even when their own world expands, way beyond the parental home. The book takes a close look at how the bond can evolve into a completely new, and extremely enabling and life-affirming one, or can spiral into dysfunction and strife. With the use of real-life situations, Always a Parent delves into what can go wrong, as well as provides tools for preventive maintenance of this precious and demanding relationship that endures from the womb to the grave, and beyond. "

248 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2016

Reviews

[Doctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I turned over the last page, the book imperceptibly left in me an impression of a research work: objectives set, problem areas identified and chronologically classified into well defined chapters. And every chapter begins with an italicized target area; then the identified target areas probed into, explained and solutions offered. The chapter is capped at the end with yet another italicized Parting Thought.
To sum up it’s a very organized piece of work befitting the substance it handles.

But unlike a bland and colorless research work it effortlessly keeps the reader glued to its pages for the substantive reason that the reader – parent or child – often identifies himself/herself with the characters discussed at the moment, finds himself/herself thrown into the situation and relates to the psychological background mosaic of the analysis. Hence, this wielded relationship finds the solutions palatable.

In other words, the episodic nature of the varied situations, wherein are mired characters of all shades possible, touches the core of the reader. This appeal is furthered by the sheer fact that the book talks about our own verily changing present day Indian life.

The author demonstrates the ability to define ideas in clear cut terms, use the language for the purpose-driven communication, and most importantly produce transactional coinage to help her point of view gel.

The following from the author’s pen would suffice to record the apt atmosphere of the book they create: Agree to disagree; compromise; setting boundaries; letting go; “pathological dance”…; a degree of detachment; changed dynamics; “balancing of the books” etc. etc.

I award this handy book four stars.

It’s a giveaway award to me.

[Writersmelon · Rating 4 out of 5]

We rarely see books about adult parenting. When your kids are grown up and you play a very different kind of role in their lives as a parent. This book covers that aspect very beautifully.
A unique concept , dealt with lot of research .