Guest Post: Karen Harrington, Author of Janeology
Please give a warm welcome to Karen Harrington, author of Janeology to the Maw Books Blog. Make sure to read my review of Janeology. The following guest post is quite awesome and full of some great information.
“There’s a collective denial even when mothers come right out and say, “I really shouldn’t be with my kids,” says Nancy Scheper-Hughes, medical anthropologist.
“Prior to a homicide, lots of lay people know these men and women are having difficulty parenting,” says Jill Korbin, child abuse expert.
Of the 49 women currently on death row in America, 11 of them are there for killing their kids. – Death Penalty Information Center
“How is this possible?” I thought. “What compels a parent to hurt her child?”
When a question keeps me awake at night, that’s when I know it’s going to appear in my writing. So as a writer and a mom of two young girls, these disturbing facts sent me to my keyboard and were the genesis of writing JANEOLOGY – a story that is in many ways a cautionary tale of what happens when a spouse refuses to recognize the signs of an approaching breakdown. Now, don’t get me wrong. This story is a hopeful one because it is all about the decision to live a life with eyes wide open. This is a story about being observant and compassionate.
For sure, I did a lot of grim research while writing the book. But I also connected to some organizations that offer hope for families in crisis. And that has been a true blessing on this writer’s journey – that I’ve been able to use my author platform to share these messages.
So let me tell you about two programs I’d like you to know about, too.
Crisis Nursery Centers
First, crisis nurseries are emerging throughout the U.S. While these nurseries aren’t designed to meet the needs of ‘one’ population, they are available to ANYONE who is at risk of abusing or neglecting their children. And also for anyone who is facing a crisis. The definition of crisis is made by the family, not the crisis center. To utilize these centers, families don’t necessarily need to be in a situation where they will harm their children. They can help a family facing a stressful situation. The thing about crisis nurseries is there are multiple models offering varying levels of care. And they are free of charge.
What’s important to note is this: crisis nurseries are not everywhere and they are not federally funded. They were a little at one time, but not anymore. They typically run purely off community donations, which is why there are so many models – and sadly, why they open and close down quickly. So again, awareness is key right now. You might be able to become involved with one in your community, even in some small way.
Here’s a list of all known centers nationwide. It is not comprehensive as this site is being updated all the time.
The MyStuff Bags Foundation
Next, there’s an organization I have been personally involved with that needs more support – The MyStuff Bags Foundation. The mission of this foundation is to put a duffel bag in the hands of each of the nearly 300,000 children who need one each year. (That’s more than 30 children per hour.) I heard about this program on the radio one day when I was at lunch. The organizers asked listeners to send 100 or more new items 
a child would need or want. So I thought, I can write a children’s book. And I did. There’s A Dog In The Doorway is the story is about my own dog, Abby, who always sleeps in our doorway at night. It’s a very protective gesture on her part. So the children’s story features a dog that helps and protects a child. You can find out more about this project on my website www.karenharringtonbooks.com and at the MyStuff Foundation website.
Of course, the ideas presented here all have one common denominator: compassionate observation. You never know when some small act of kindness will make a huge difference in someone’s life.
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Category: Author Interviews, Guest Posts
Tags: guest post
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Janeology is on my wish list. Great interview. I got tears in my eyes when I read about There's a Dog in the Doorway.
on October 14th, 2008 at 5:45 amKaren,
on October 14th, 2008 at 8:19 pmGreat post. I thought the My Stuff Bags would make a great story, so I just pitched it an editor here in Waco.
Best,
Todd
These are both great links! Nice guestpost!!!
on October 14th, 2008 at 9:10 pmI have a really hard time reading about women who murder their children. I've been pretty stressed out with my kids. I've even had to put myself on a time-out because I was angry. No matter how mad they made me I never could hurt them.
I have always thought though, what is wrong with these fathers as well. Surely there was some sign that something wrong with these women before they run down their kids and drown them in a bathtub.
Everytime I think about it, it makes me feel physically ill. Those poor innocent babies. What were the last thoughts that went through thier little heads.
I think I will pick this one up because it sounds well-researched and while being fictional, might give some insight.
On a lighter note. I LOVE the idea of your doggy book. We recently inherited an old german shorthair and she is SO protective of my children. Wouldn't hurt a fly, unless they were going to hurt the kids. We have been in the front yard and she will step in front of my girls if anyone walks down the street. If they get too close, she'll growl. I will definately check out your link.
Wow this post is longer than I meant it to be! My daughter just came in and said, "are you done yet?!? I would like some frosted flakes please!"
on October 15th, 2008 at 9:34 amI think these crisis nurseries are certainly better than nothing, but I wonder how often a parent who is so over the edge that s/he might harm a child has the presence of mind to drop a child off here. Not to mention that it is STILL going to be extremely stigmatizing. Personally, if I ever had to drop a child off at a crisis nursery, I could never stop feeling the shame of my personal failure as a mother. If I were in crisis, I would be more likely to try to muddle through myself than to bring myself to go give my children to strangers, even temporarily. And as I said in my last comment, I think this is the root of the problem. It should NOT be shameful to need help, but it is in our culture. Ideally, we should all have many friends, relatives, neighbors we can call on in times of crisis. But many of us are so isolated, and particularly those who are unstable in the first place. And even when we’re not isolated, we’re too embarrassed to confess our problems to people we believe will judge us.
Sorry to leave two such long comments, but this combines a few issues that matter a lot to me, so I get passionate.
on October 15th, 2008 at 8:48 pmGreat post! I think that doggy book was a great idea!
on October 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 amthat’s seems very interesting. but yes. i totally understand about the protective dog thing. my dog sleeps right next to my mom. i can’t even hug her goodnight with out her whining!
on October 26th, 2008 at 4:49 pmKathy – A Dog in the Doorway is a nice book isn’t it?
Todd – That’s awesome!
Ladytink_534 – I’m gad you followed the links over, very informational.
Jenn M. – When I talked to my mom about this book she said that sometimes she locked herself in the bathroom. I’ve been stressed to but I can’t imagine ever hurting my children.
Dewey – I love long comments! Just ask Jenn M.
We have a couple nursery crisis centers near us, one down the road I believe. I saw a flyer for it once and I know it was advertised for more than children in harm’s way. If a mother need a last minute job interview, etc. I do agree they are better than nothing but I think a lot of education is needed for mothers so they know how to handle the stresses of parenting without resorting to violence.
Anna – I appreciate Karen giving us such a great post.
Ginger – Hey! I wondered where you had gone off to. I missed ya!
on October 26th, 2008 at 11:43 pmJaneology was so well written and captivating… and when I finished, I just couldn’t help but THINK. It was so much more than a book “just to read”.
on November 23rd, 2008 at 12:37 am