title: The Paradox Principle of Parenting
author: James R. Lucas
description: <b>James R. (Jim) Lucas</b> is the Executive Director of the Relationship Development Center, an organization dedicated to helping people develop and enhance their crucial life relationships. This is accomplished through public speaking, retreats, conferences, seminars, workshops, books, audiovisual materials, and other resources. He has been a frequent guest on many television and radio programs across North America.
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  I first saw Lucas on a fine afternoon at the end of July last summer. Of
  course, I didn’t know who he was then … in fact, come to think of it, I didn’t
  even know _what_ he was. All I could see from the back seat of the car was a
  green-clad creature padding along the Stand in a shimmering haze of heat; a
  slight and ragged figure with a mop of straw-blond hair and a way of walking –
  I smile when I think of it – a way of walking that whispered secrets to the
  air.
  
  
  
  
  
  We were on our way back from the mainland.
  
  
  
  
  
  My brother, Dominic, had been staying with friends in Norfolk since finishing
  his first year at university the month before, and he’d called that morning to
  let us know he was on his way home. His train was due in at five and he’d
  asked for a lift back from the station. Now, Dad normally hates being
  disturbed when he’s writing (which is just about all the time), and he also
  hates having to go anywhere, but despite the usual sighs and moans – why can’t
  the boy get