Dadprovement: A Journey from Careerist to Adoptive Father to a Real Husband and Dad

Description

Inspiration for any parent wrestling with society's expectations and acknowledging (and cherishing) what really matters... Sometimes staggering events happen in life and we're thrown completely off balance. Chaos ensues both internally and externally. It was one such event that was pivotal for Patrick Riccards and set him on a journey of discovery toward what was truly important to him. When Riccards suddenly (and inexplicably) loses his job, he is devastated, but it forces him to take stock of his life - to reexamine his relationships, his perceptions of himself, his fears, his values, and dreams for the future. Dadprovement is his raw and honest account of recognizing that he wasn't the great father or husband he thought he was, that he had simply been going through the motions. Starting with the adoption of two children from Guatemala, Riccards writes of the vast obstacles faced in the international adoption process, the challenges of building a family, and the rollercoaster ride that follows as one tries to balance career and home life. Part adoption story, part career memoir, and a complete telling of one man's path to personal and professional redemption, Dadprovement details some of the difficult truths to inspire and help other parents wrestling with how to live up to society's expectations when it comes to career and family. By getting to the root of what is truly important, Riccards recognizes what a "terrific support staff" he has in his family and that anything is possible with them by his side.

Patrick R. Riccards is a nationally recognized strategist, writer, and public speaker on school improvement and education reform issues. A noted education agitator, he is the author of the award-winning Eduflack blog (http: //blog.eduflack.com). Named PR News' Public Affairs Professional of the Year in 2013 and Bulldog Reporter's NotforProfit Communicator of the Year in 2011, Riccards is a contributing author to Why Kids Still Can't Read: Challenging the Status Quo in Education and PR News' Media Training Guidebook: Volume 2. He is also the author or editor of a dozen major education policy reports. Most importantly, Riccards has been married to Jennifer since 2001 and is the proud father of Michael and Anna. Today, his most important jobs are those of husband and dad. Visit him online at www.dadprovement.com.