Book description
Part memoir, part practical parenting guide, best-selling author Gabrielle Blair and her husband, PhD educator Ben Blair--parents to six kids ages 14-27--offer up unexpected and insightful lessons that encourage overwhelmed parents to let go of tired expectations of what it means to be a "good parent," and instead lean into adventure and embrace uncertainty (for their sake, and their kids'). Do you find parenting stressful or overwhelming? Do you worry about your child's education in an unpredictable future? Is it hard to get your kid to cooperate? You're not alone. Gabrielle and Ben Blair have been raising kids for over two decades. Through the years, they've charted their own unconventional path: working from home before remote work was a thing; uprooting their kids four, five, six times - including a move to France where they enrolled in local schools without knowing the language. It's been a unique parenting journey characterized by experimentation, trial and error, decisions prompted by financial or psychological necessity, varying levels of anxiety and tension, despair, and hope. This unique path turned out to be fertile soil for growing independent, resilient, and creative kids, and a family that is genuinely close and truly enjoys each other's company. With this book they share how they did it, and how you can too: by letting go of outdated expectations of what it means to be a good parent; by accepting that the old rules won't necessarily apply in the future (changes in higher ed and career-building are evolving at a rapid pace); and by instead focusing on making your time with your kids one of connection, adventure, shared projects, creativity, and joy. It's about creating a family life that embraces change and uncertainty instead of running from it.
About the Author
Ben Blair holds a PhD in Philosophy and Education from Columbia University. He is a Cofounder and President of Newlane University. Started in 2017, Newlane is an online university with a mission to make quality liberal arts higher education accessible to anyone on earth by breaking down barriers of cost, schedule, and geography. Newlane students and professors are based in 40+ different countries. Newlane offers affordable, accredited Bachelor's degrees. Gabrielle Blair is the founder of DesignMom.com. Started in 2006, it has been named a Parenting Website of the Year by Time magazine, and praised as a top parenting blog by The Wall Street Journal, Parents, and Better Homes and Gardens. Gabrielle is also a founder of Alt Summit, the blockbuster annual conference for creatives and creative entrepreneurs who work online, currently in its sixteenth year. As a thought leader for more than eighteen years, Gabrielle's writing is quoted and shared across the globe daily. Gabrielle's most recent book, Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion, an instant New York Times bestseller, was published in 2022 by Workman, and is available in twelve international editions. Ben and Gabrielle have six children: Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty, and Flora June. After six years in Oakland, California, they now live in Normandy, France, where they are renovating a home built in the 1400s. You can follow along at @DesignMom on Instagram.
MythMaker
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
CZR
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Demand Chopper
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§
Cooger
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
Fl00d
The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Mercury Reborn
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. Navigating through my audiobook library is a joy with this app's intuitive interface and easy controls. It's like having a personal reading companion at my side. π±π ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Bowler
π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Necessary Momentum
π± Carrying stories wherever I go β this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. πποΈ Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. ππ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Sky
This app has reignited my passion for literature β I'm devouring books like never before. With ListenBook, I can effortlessly manage and organize my audiobook library. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Tin Mutt
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Friday Fox
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. πββοΈπ Combining exercise and exploration β audiobooks make my runs more exciting! πββοΈπ§ Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
High Deck
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Uncle Buddy
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. The app's performance is remarkable β it's fast, stable, and designed to cater to audiobook enthusiasts. It's a pleasure to use. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
3D Waffle
With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Viceswerve
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Aqua Monsoon
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience.
Baby Brown
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Dark Horse
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Shady Lady
With ListenBook, I've found a reliable and enjoyable way to listen to audiobooks and expand my knowledge. With this app, I can devour books like never before β it's incredibly efficient. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. πββοΈπ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. π±π The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Prof. Screw
πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient. Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. πββοΈπ§
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience