(By Filmmaker Ana Sofia Joanes)
Perhaps like me you have felt isolated in parenting, wondering if you're alone struggling. Perhaps you are, like I was, thrilled by the thought that you can reconnect with the joy of parenting and struggle less. TAKING OUR PLACES will show you the possibility. You will get to see that your struggles and joys are universal and be inspired to start your own journey.
Or perhaps you have already learned about the work of Inbal Kashtan, Bonnie Harris, Scott Noel, Ah-Ha Parenting and so many others. Perhaps you've already ripped the fruits of their amazing approach and would like to see more people exposed to this kind of parenting? TAKING OUR PLACES aim is to inspire more and more parents to do the same until we can reach a tipping point and transform the culture of parenting - so we are no longer the minority!
I want to break the myth surrounding partnership parenting and show what really happens when families learn this new approach. That's why my movie is not a series of interview with "experts" but an intimate portrait of three families. I also want to show that parenting is a skill that can be learned and practiced. And finally, I hope that TAKING OUR PLACES, by showing the universality of our joys and struggle will help break the compare-judge-blame cycle parents are too often caught in. My message is simple: no, you are not alone, and yes, there are tools out there that can really help!
TAKING OUR PLACES is also a website and integrated media outreach campaign. The website is a portal for interested parents to join the TOP community and support their own journey toward more connected and joyful parenting. Among other resources, the website will allow parents to: organize or locate screenings of TOP in their area, read articles about parenting topics, participate in online workshops and classes, and find counselors and parenting coaches.
Democratic parenting is still very much a counter-cultural, even perhaps radical, approach to parenting. Help me make a movie that will break the myths, raise awareness, inspire, and create change!
TAKING OUR PLACES follows three families as they explore new parenting strategies and learn tools to build more trust and connection within their family. You'll take the journey with them as they reveal the universal stress of parenting, but also witness their excitement as they discover new ways to relate to themselves and to each other.
TAKING OUR PLACES is ultimately a film about transcending the day-to-day struggles to become the mindful, joyful parents we want to be.
HOW DOES KICKSTARTER WORK? When you donate to TAKING OUR PLACES via Kickstarter, we only get the donation if we meet our goal. If we don't reach our goal, we receive $0! And you donate $0!
IS THIS DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE? When you donate via Kickstarter, your donation is not tax-deductible. If you wish to do a tax-deductible donation, we have tax exempt status via IFP our non-profit sponsor. Please go to our website, www.ParentingTheMovie.com for directions on how to donate directly to the film.
CAN WE EXCEED OUR KICKSTARTER GOAL? Absolutely! If we make more than our $25,000 goal, we will be able to continue shooting AND start post-production.
CONTRIBUTION REWARDS: Please review the rewards for contributing in the right-hand column here. Once we are funded, we will be sending out follow up emails, and will ask you for mailing addresses.
Thank you so much for your support.
Ana Sofia Joanes
Warmly,
Meiji and Neill
PuddleDancer Press
