Child of Mine, Know This
by Rebecca Whitecotton
Child
of Mine, Know This introduces an innovative concept in children's
books, combining a special, heartfelt message with the readers’ photos
to help parents remind their children how and why they love them. Full of loving
messages reminding children of all ages that their physical bodies are just
a part of who they are, Child of Mine, Know This goes so much further
than any other book we have seen before...
It’s an inspirational message for parents who believe that their children's beautiful spirits are thousands of years old and wiser than we imagine.
It’s a heartfelt reminder of the bond between parents and children that was perhaps created over the course of many lifetimes, and the promises we made to each other before we embarked on this journey of life. Child of Mine, Know This is a loving message reminding children of all ages that their physical bodies are just a part of who they are.
It's an inspirational message for parents who believe that their children's beautiful spirits are thousands of years old and wiser than we imagine.
It's a heartfelt reminder of the bond between parents and children that was perhaps created over the course of many lifetimes, and the promises we made to each other before we embarked on this journey of life.
When parents and children are able to see each other through spiritual eyes, they can look past the illusion of separateness and enter into the unconditional love of oneness with Spirit.
According to author, Rebecca Whitecotton, “When parents and children are able to see each other through spiritual eyes, they can look past the illusion of separateness and enter into the unconditional love of oneness with Spirit.”
Here’s what Rebecca has written on her website about how she came to write Child of Mine, Know This…
The Story Behind the Story
By Rebecca Whitecotton
I wrote Child of Mine, Know This for my children, Ethan and Alison. They love the book, of course, because it was written especially for them and their version is filled with pictures of our family. It is very special to them and even if no one else is touched by the book it will have been worth it to me because of them. I do, however, think that many people can be touched by the many levels of the message in this book.
I wrote Child of Mine when Ethan was 5 and Alison was 3 years old. They are such wise souls, each with a knowing that defies their young ages. Since before they were born I have honored them and their spirits, and yet when they came into life, I could tell that they were frustrated by their smallness and the limitations of their physical bodies. And who wouldn't be frustrated with the transition from limitless spirit to infant and small child?
When Ethan was an infant, I discovered a wonderful book, The Tao of Motherhood, by Vimala McClure. It helped me to have a goal of finding peacefulness and spirituality in my new role as mother, which sometimes seemed anything but peaceful. There was a quote from the book that I printed out and made part of my daily affirmation, and the sentiment it expresses clearly influenced my writing of Child of Mine, Know This.
"You and your child come from One and journey toward One. You are essentially the same.
Right mothering springs from this knowledge: the One in either responds to the One in both. The bond is oneness, and cannot be broken.
When doubt and uncertainty arise, return to this simple truth.
Be in oneness and the illusion of separateness dies.
Be still and allow unity to be revealed."
So here I was knowing in my heart and in my mind that my children and I were connected as One, that they were just as wise as I am (perhaps more so). Yet day by day I would still treat them like children, giving them love but telling them what to do and making them do things they didn't want to do, and sometimes just not being nice about it, either. I knew of people who let their children do whatever they wanted out of respect for their child's inner wisdom, but I could not go that far. I felt that part of my job as parent was to make rules, set parameters and show them how they are expected to live in this world. Yet when I set the rules and followed through on them I could feel them resisting and perhaps thinking, "Who made you the boss? I know way more than you think I do."
I can point to one particular incident that showed me that I had to find some way to explain the grand scheme of life to my kids. Three-year-old Alison and I were in a restroom at a store, and after she finished washing her hands I got a paper towel from the dispenser and handed it to her. She had a fit. She wanted to get the paper towel and I had gotten it for her. I told her that she couldn't get another towel because it would be wasteful to not use the one I had already gotten. She didn't have too many tantrums at this age, but this one was so bad that I had to carry her screaming from the store and we went home. I put her in her room and told her she could come out after she had calmed down. It took more than an hour. When she came out, we talked about what happened and I said (in my best motherly voice), "Alison, what would you do differently if you could do that over?" Her reply: "I would have gotten the towel myself." It wasn't what I wanted to hear : "Oh, Mother dear, I would have taken the towel from you and not thrown a fit. I'll never do it again." It was Alison saying "I know I can do it. Stop treating me like a baby and give me some respect!"
The next time we were in a restroom, I made sure to let her get the towel. With all the motherly reinforcement techniques she could muster, she said, "Good job, Mom. You remembered to let me get the towel. That was really good." She even gave me a little hug. I was surprised she didn't offer to give me a gold star on my job chart. I left the restroom laughing to myself, and we were both happy. Now, just who was the wise one there?
I could just see and feel Alison's frustration at being trapped in a small body that doesn't quite get the respect that she knows she deserves. I wanted my kids to know that I knew how big their spirits are. I wanted them to know that as frustrating as it is to be little, this is how human life begins. I wanted them to know that one of us had to be the parent, to set the rules, to keep them safe, to go before them and get the path ready for them to walk on, even if they do choose to walk a different way than I do. And I wanted them to know that even though I know how to be a good mom, I don't always make choices that reflect my knowing that we are One.
So one day I sat down to meditate, with the intention of writing something for Ethan and Alison. Child of Mine, Know This is what resulted from that wonderful meditation. Interestingly enough, during the meditation I felt like my heavenly parent was saying these words to me. It was a wonderful feeling to sit surrounded by love in meditation and know that these words were not only for my children, they were for me as a child of God.
Child of Mine, know this —
You are not a child
In the eyes of the universe,
In the arms of God,
In the heart of All That Is.
You are a brilliant light that has been shining since the beginning of time.
You are a wise and ancient soul who has come to this earth yet another time to shine your light on all humanity. . .
So as you read this book, I encourage you to hear the words of your heavenly parent, who sees you as a brilliant light and a beautiful blessing to the world. It is my hope that by sharing these words with you that you will be as blessed by them as I have been.
Another reason why Child of Mine, Know This has won this month’s CNE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE is that, because the book is about the blessings of children, Rebecca has devised a way to offer the book as a fundraiser for qualified youth groups.
Your Youth Group Can Raise Money by Fundraising With Child of Mine, Know This...
Qualified fundraising groups will receive $7 from each book sold for the cover price of $15.95.
Fundraising groups will be provided with a unique online ordering code, which can be used by out-of-town friends and relatives to order books which can be shipped to their homes. The group will receive $5.00 for each book ordered online at www.childofmineknowthis.net using the group’s unique code.
- You can send out emails to friends, family, even other youth groups, to have them order the book. You can even suggest that they forward the email to their friends, multiplying your fundraising potential.
- A free downloadable preview of the book (pdf version) is available on the website so people can see if they like the book before they order.
- Your online code will be valid for two months from the start of your fundraiser.
Your group will receive one free book, autographed by the author, to use as a sample or display.
- It is recommended that before the sale begins you personalize this sample book with pictures of members of your group, or members of the church or organization where you are selling it.
- You might also consider having each member of the fundraising group autograph the book. This could be done by putting a photo of the group over the author’s dedication on page 3, and having each member sign the page.
- At the end of the sale, or perhaps even during the sale, you could hold a live or silent auction, with the autographed and personalized book going to the highest bidder. With good photographs and the right publicity, you should be able to get a much higher price for this personalized version.
In order to participate as a fundraiser, your group must be able to sell at least 20 books.
Terms and conditions for this fundraising offer are subject to change. To find out more, visit www.brighttreasures.net.
We know how hard it is to buy a children's book without reading it, so you can download a preview copy free to see if you are moved by what it says.
Child of Mine, Know This by Rebecca Gittrich Whitecotton (32-page full-color hardback with dustjacket
ISBN: 0-9725450-1-8) is available for $15.95 plus s & h dirct from Rebecca’s website at http://www.brighttreasures.net/orderingoptions.html.
For more information, contact Bright Treasures publisher@brighttreasures.net, (913)680-7332. To find out more, visit
www.brighttreasures.net or www.childofmineknowthis.net.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rebecca Whitecotton is a mom, writer, editor and graphic designer who was inspired to write children's books by her own children, Ethan and Alison. Her husband Randy is an Air Force officer whose career has given them the opportunity to live in Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, Hawaii and Kansas. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master's degree in sociology of religion from The University of New Mexico. She has worked as a reporter, freelance writer, newspaper/magazine layout artist, editor, public relations coordinator, marketing director, graphic artist and desktop publisher, and brings these skills together in Bright Treasures to produce quality spiritual children's books. Although Child of Mine, Know This is the first offering of Bright Treasures, plans are underway for publication of other books.
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view other Books that have won the CNE SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD click here...
