No two families are alike, and households come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Lashona Jones’ book “Family Ties” helps young children identify the type of blended family they live with and illustrates a positive message of understanding, acceptance, and family.
While blending families is rarely easy, “Family Ties” can help a child get through the growing pains. Regardless of how strained or challenging things initially appear, Jones’ book illustrates how a healthy blended family with open communication, mutual respect, and plenty of love can work.
“This book has helped my family in ways that I never knew a book could! I have struggled with trying to explain to my children that we have other children in our home that I didn’t aid in creating. As a foster father, helping children understand what love looks like in our home and others was complicated. With Family Ties, It’s been a breeze,” said Damon Johnson, an Amazon reader.
During her time working for USD 259, Jones interacted with many different types of blended families. One thing she noticed was how parents often struggled with the blended family dynamic more than the children.
Having always been an avid reader and writer, while COVID-19 had everyone home last year, Jones forced herself to sit down and tell the much-needed story of what would later be “Family Ties.”
“It’s my favorite thing when I have parents come up to me and say, ‘yeah, we turned to the page with, you know, stepdad stepmom and my daughter or son was like hey that’s our family,’” said Jones. “I hope parents sit down and read it with their kids so they can all identify and be aware of the different kinds of families together.”
Jones is planning to release a spin-off of “Family Ties” in 2022. Make sure to visit Jones, learn more about her books at the Mid-Western Black Book A-fair on Sun., Oct. 17. Jones’ books can also be purchased through Amazon.