Re: [ozmidwifery] My book

[Pinky McKay]

Hi Jayne, Where are you? that must have been a long time ago -I think I remember writing one about homeschooling my kids (do you want a followup? - Richard (28 now) is currently designing an ecommerce website  for a symphony orchestra group - and they said he was severely learning disabled/ dyslexic at school and wouldnt learn to read even though he had a 'gifted' IQ (Ugh labels - thats why I de-schooled), Jonathan (26) - whom they said 'does not conform' (but must!! -so I took him out too) -  has travelled to many unconventional destinations -including to see the gorillas in the mist (His dream from childhood), a Rastafarian commune in Ethiopia -Bob Marley was his hero when he was a teen - he worked as a travel leader in Africa for a year and a couple of years ago was shipped out of a bush camp with Typhoid and Malaria - he had picked up a tribeswoman and her sick baby (he speaks fluent swahili) and taken them to a border clinic -on the way they both vomited and he cleaned them up (as he would have done with his own younger siblings) - this is how he caught typhoid. He is now a chef -we joke about Typhoid Jono cooking the tucker - he cooked a lovely vegetarian lunch for my toddler workshop today. Larissa (22) didnt go to primary school at all/ spent the next years at school getting herself kicked out of class so she could go to the library and read and has just finished degrees in psychology and business management -she will go back and continue with psychology -she wants to do forensic psych. She always takes some subjects 'just for her' - when she was neck deep in macro economics she did 'sociology of popular music' and a major assignment on FRank Zappa. This year she took literature, for her. Sarah (19) is a photography student  - also homeschooled at primary, she discovered her passion in her second last year at secondary school - her biology teacher bailed me up about his top student 'ditching' biology in her final year in favour of art subjects -and outdoor ed (for the camps) - she actually jumped in the freezing cold Yarra river to pull her teacher (not the same guy)out when his canoe capsized -the other girls wouldnt get wet! I told him I was simply thrilled she had discovered her passion at such a young age - how many of us take a lifetime? Not sure he was impressed -I am sure he didnt award me any 'good mummy stars' for encouraging her to thumb her nose at academia.   I think I wrote a couple of other articles too -I was a "broke" tandem nursing mum at the time and exchanged articles for magazines!! I dont think many locals had even heard of Compleat mother in those pre-computer / internet days - it was a lifeline to me to have stories from others who were bucking the system.   Thanks Catherine Young - I know you will still be mothering mothers and babies on the other side.   What a legacy she left.   Pinky ----- Original Message ----- From: Jayne To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 11:07 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] My book Pinky,   At present I'm typing up articles from very old issues of The Compleat Mother for republishing in future issues.  I came across one of yours yesterday :)   Regards,   Jayne     ----- Original Message ----- From: Pinky McKay To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 10:36 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] My book Hi Jen   Wow! if you noticed that wee bit at least others might too. Thanks, yes I "knew" there was going to be a mention - I approached the editor / discussed an article/ (even offered to write one) was told there would 'definitely' be an article. later. this became a review (we have to cater to the advertisers) and definitely a cover shot -' when I have read the book I will, scan it in myself' - Obviously space was a big consideration so lucky to have a mention at all, but actually I dont think she has read the book - "firm but loving routines!!" - firm and routine dont really reflect it  but hey - any publicity is good - writing abook is only a tiny part of the job - promotion is enormous and certainly not something one gets paid for but if not done books disappear from the shelves and end up in $2 bins - or shredded/ dumped - its true!! (Aviva -I know the feeling of virtually working for zilch or less and all others in the process make the profits - booksellers, publishers and even distributors make more than authors - how did Christopher Green sell a million books - at $2 a book royalties, that would be profitable - going grey and wearing a suit and tie are not an option!!!!!)   and it may in fact appeal to the people who are most uptight -I just did a Terrific Toddler workshop today -  the greatest concern as parents called to book was discipline - I had parents of 14 - 18 month olds wanting to know how to make their child"obey" - they gained something very different -hopefully,  a whole new way of seeing their tots - as people, not little things!   A lovely day   Pinky