Dear Austin Book Review And ~~Giveaway~~

A child leaving home is usually a bittersweet time for most families. My book, Dear Austin – A Letter To My Son, grew out of a letter written to my son as he was leaving for college. At the time, I thought it included most of the things he should know as he headed out into the world. What later became apparent was that the "advice" to my son turned out to be crucial for me in my effort to cope with his departure. It is a crossroads almost all parents face, and I've been told by hundreds of readers that this book has made the "leaving home" milestone an easier transition for everyone involved, but for parents in particular, and that it includes the things almost every parent wishes to express

From the Author

It comes to pass, in every parent’s life, that a child will begin preparations to leave home. Some will be off to college, some will go to the military or other national service, and many will just strike out to seek their fortunes in whatever fields have captured their imaginations.

It’s at this moment, when the preparation begins, that most parents will realize that all those heart-to-heart talks they always intended to have with their offspring somehow never took place. Or, at the very least, that many of them managed to slip through the cracks.

It was in this environment of not-quite-panic that I sat down at my computer to make up for missed opportunities. I had no idea what I was going to say to my son, but I knew I had to say something.

The eventual letter, which follows, came as something of a surprise to me. Not right away, but later, as I’ll explain. And the chance sharing of this letter with a friend, at a similar place in life, resulted in me being encouraged to share it with others. Thank you, Lia.

After installing my son in his college dorm, and leaving the letter with him, my wife and I spent a very quiet five hours driving back home. I guess we were both lost in our own thoughts about the past, the future, and the somewhat less than action-packed present.When we arrived home, I went to my office and read the letter again, to myself. Several times, I confess. This is when I had my epiphany. I’ve never had one before, but I’m pretty sure that’s what it was.

I concluded that my subconscious had tricked me into writing what I believed were things my son needed to hear; about me, about life, and about his future. And while I still hope that he may find something of value in it, I came to realize that I had actually written things that I needed to know; about him, about his life, and about our relationship. I was writing to me, as much as to him. Not all of it, of course, but just enough to reassure myself that he would be alright.

This awareness allowed me to suddenly let go of some of the sadness about his leaving, and to replace it with some of the hope and excitement that he must be feeling now. It is in this spirit, and with my son’s permission, that I share this letter with any parent who has lost, or will lose, a child to higher education, or military service, or to the most dreaded thief of all, adulthood.

David M. Perkins
April 2010

Dear Austin – A Letter To My Son
by David M. Perkins
56 pages
Non-fiction / Parenting
ISBN-13: 978-1453655399


This book made me cry!!!

My kids are still very little, so they won't be leaving the nest completely anytime soon. I do know that it was extremely difficult for me sending Ben to pre-school for the first time, and it will be really difficult sending him to kindergarten in September.

David Perkins writes a terrific letter/book to his son telling him all the things you never really can say to your kids or parents.

He gets sentimental in a way that we all should do, but of course don't!!

This is a very fast read, but a perfect gift for anyone sending a child out into the real world.

I plan on handing this to my boys when they grow up!!

You can purchase Davids book by heading to his website.

Or you can get it through Amazon.



David has generously offered two of my readers copies of Dear Austin for their own. You will love it!!

Entering this giveaway is very easy.

Mandatory Entry-

1. Be a Follower of my Blog (+1 entry)

Extra Entries-

1. Tell me one thing you wish you could say to your kids, but don't quite feel comfortable doing (+1 entry)

2. Become a fan of my blogs new Facebook Page and/or become a fan of Dear Austin on Facebook (+2 entries each)

3. Grab my BRAND NEW button and tell me where it is (+2 entries)

4. Be an email subscriber of my blog (+2 entries)

5. Follow me on Twitter (+2 entries)

6. Tweet about this giveaway (+1 entry daily)

Example- Dear Austin Book Giveaway @SarahsBlogOfFun

7. Blog about this giveaway and leave link in your comments (+10 entries)

8. Vote for me Can be done daily (+1 entry per day)


Giveaway ends on February 9th 2011 at 11:59pm. Open to my US readers Only. A valid email address MUST be in all comments. Winner has 48 hrs to respond or new winner will be drawn.

This giveaway was made possible by David Perkins.

* All opinions expressed are 100% my own. I was given a copy of this book for review as compensation for this post*