Progress not Perfection: Building a Powerful Marriage While Raising Challenging Children

Married for forty-one years, the Thompsons reflect over their child rearing and marriage experiences and have completed what their children's psychiatrists long recommended. They've put into writing their story of faithfulness to each other, to their children and to God. Having adopted three apparently normal children, they discovered quickly the emotional, behavioral and educational challenges that faced Heather, Dylan and Molly. The Thompsons delineate the choices they made to solidify their marriage, choices of Trust, Commitment, Resilience, Health and Optimism. They worked to pass these values to their children as they matured. They share the conflicts experienced by their children in the school system, in the community and even within their immediate families where outsiders judge yet never know the depth of problems they faced. This is a story of love and commitment to each other. It teaches a lesson of determination and of seeing the positive and funny in times of crisis. The lessons demonstrate the flexibility and tenacity that too often is sacrificed in marriages. It encourages the reader to stay the course, to look far into the future, and to focus on progress not perfection in all aspects of life. This is a marriage book that offers parenting guidance, openly embraces their faith and will be helpful to a young couple, a couple with years of marriage and couples with or without children whether adopted or not and without regard for special needs.

Review :
This delightful book provides EVERY parent the opportunity to see their triumphs and struggles in the pages of this readable text. To take on the dance of parenting with a child who has differences outside the norm can at times make one wish they had an encyclopedia of wisdom for guidance. The Thompson's have provided just that in their presentation of an open and honest representation of the challenges they have faced. I've seen them just as the book outlines: trusting each other, committed to each other and their children, resilient, focused on all aspects of health, especially their emotional health, and at all times staying upbeat and optimistic. Give yourself a gift and a place to take a deep breath and a chuckle while learning invaluable marital and parenting tips from the pages of Progress, Not Perfection. Jeri Fitzpatrick, M.D. Board Certified in Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Private Practice, Nashville, Tennessee "This book walks a parent through the joys and struggles of navigating life with three challenging children, while maintaining a healthy and loving marriage. Roy and Margrey share how they dealt with the many challenges of parenting, using realistic and practical strategies while fostering a love for each other and building positive character traits in their children. Through their story, you will gain an understanding of how Margrey and Roy's wise choices over the past 30 years have helped them to raise their children to be kind and lovable adults. This book will give hope to any parent desiring to raise healthy adults while maintaining a healthy relationship." Dr. Jane N. Hannah, Head of the Upper School at Currey Ingram Academy. Brentwood, Tennessee "What a refreshing, honest, and practical resource for families who face challenges-namely, all of us! Margrey and Roy have not only written a great book about strong families. They themselves have actually built a strong family. Rarely does one get such an insightful book from a couple who, after more than forty years of marriage, love each other more today than ever. This book is for every family. Get it. Read it." Dr. David Young, Minister, Author, Host of the New Day Television Program