Fostering Family Unity Through Literature with Cynthia Hope

In today's episode, host Dr. Carla Marie Manley, a clinical psychologist and author from Sonoma County, California, talks to Cynthia Hope. She is the author of the book "My House, My Family." She discusses her background, including her family and faith, and mentions that she grew up with parents who had an open home. This episode highlights the interactive and enjoyable aspects of reading with children and Hope's dedication to fostering language development and a love for reading from a young age.

 

Episode Highlights

• 01:04: Hope talks about her background and mentions that her family and faith strongly influence her identity. She dedicates her book to her parents, Reverend Glen, and Betty Keenan, who played a significant role in her life. She highlights how her parents opened their home and hearts to many children, fostering and adopting them. Additionally, her parents built a camp for inner-city children and teenagers, creating a sense of family and community for them.
• 02:13: Hope discusses her parents' work in both an inner-city church and a camp they built, which posed different challenges. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to the circumstance’s life presents and making the best of them.
• 03:18: Hope talks about the various children who became a part of her family through fostering and adoption.
• 05:03: Hope explains the essence of what's inside her book, "My House, My Family." She emphasizes the importance of every child and parent feeling loved and accepted within their family structure, regardless of race, origin, or community.
• 07:39: Carla underscores the importance of showcasing diverse family structures and experiences through literature, allowing readers to connect with and appreciate the richness of different family narratives.
• 09:35: Hope mentions that parents, therapists, and psychologists have shared their experiences of people picking up the book, even in waiting rooms. This indicates that the book's message is resonating and connecting with a wide range of individuals.
• 10:26: Hope expresses her surprise and delight that parents are finding a personal connection to her book. She believes that the book offers comfort and a sense of togetherness for parents as well.
• 11:53: Hope and Carla discuss the joyful and meaningful experiences that books like Hope's can create for families.
• 13:57: Hope emphasizes the diversity of family dynamics and practices depicted in the book, as well as the overarching message of love, acceptance, and togetherness that unites all families.
• 15:31: Hope's book is suitable for children aged 2 to 10 and is a picture book. It's designed to be a quick read, taking less than 5 minutes before bedtime, but also offers opportunities for engagement with children through the bird spotting activity and the discussion questions.
• 16:27: Carla praises the way Hope's book employs the "show, don't tell" approach to demonstrate loving behaviors and actions rather than just instructing them.
• 17:58: Drawing from her own experiences, Hope shares a story about her adopted daughter from Burma. She recalls an incident where her daughter squatted down in the middle of a mall to rest, explaining that it was a behavior she learned from her own culture.
• 18:19: Hope highlights the need for cultural sensitivity, active listening, and embracing children's individuality as important elements of creating an inclusive and loving family environment.
• 19:10: When it comes to children, whether they are biological or come into the family through other means, the key is to listen to them, understand what makes them tick, and avoid pushing one's own agenda onto them.
• 21:05: Carla highlights the importance of family, love, understanding, and inclusivity, as well as the impact that literature and storytelling can have on fostering positive values and relationships within families.

3 Key Points

1. Hope talks about her book's inclusivity and its potential impact on various aspects of society, from families and caregivers to educators and medical professionals, all working together to promote a wholesome sense of family unity.
2. Dr. Carla Marie Manley highlights the importance of the values emphasized in Hope's book and how they contribute to fostering love, acceptance, and kindness within families.
3. Hope's story underscores the value of actively listening, observing, and understanding each child's unique perspective and experiences as a fundamental aspect of fostering love and acceptance within families.

Tweetable Quotes

• "My House, My Family," is dedicated to families who aim to ensure their children don't feel marginalized due to differences like being deaf. – Hope
• "If parents end up reading the book for their children for 25 nights in a row because it becomes a favorite, the book still retains its charm and evokes beautiful memories as children fall asleep." – Hope
• "Pause, listen, and understand what's going on in a child's world instead of imposing one's own ideals and schedules onto them." - Hope

Resources Mentioned

• Helping Families be Happy Podcast Apple
• https://hopeeditors.com/
• Podcast Editing