The Sitting Swing by Irene Watson is a true story about how she overcame her over protective mother and its ill effects from Irene’s childhood to adulthood, to a treatment center which transformed her beliefs about her past to a renewed vision for her life as she continues to bless others.
Irene Watson thanks her parents for bringing her to this world to experience and learn the path to find her true self. I believe we all have been brought to earth to learn and experience what we have been living whether it be good or bad things, circumstances or people on our own journey.
Irene Watson read two memoirs, “Change Me into a Zeus’s Daughter by Barbra Robinetts Moss” and “Lost and Found by Babette Hughes,” which taught her how these women healed their childhood wounds and how they reclaimed their true self. I have always wanted to find my authentic self and after reading “The Sitting Swing,” I will be reading the two recommended books as well because it is my belief that if something we read resonates then it is something to be pursued.
The Sitting Swing on the cover of her book reminds me of freedom, and it took great courage for Irene to stand out from the crowd and tell her story truthfully. I admire anyone who can go from hurt to healing to helping others and this is what Irene does with her words.
It is said that in our greatest pain lies our greatest blessing and Irene did exactly that by publishing her book.
© 2012 Written by Jackie Paulson ( )

The Sitting Swing is no longer motionless in this expose’ by Irene Watson

With good intentions, Irene Watson, a certified therapist enters the world of Avalon, a recovery and treatment center with the desire to help her clients build skills and grow into healthier and more stable lives. And maybe, just maybe she can take this time to do some reflective thinking about her marriage—should she stay committed or should she start a new life?

Her book opens in a childhood controlled by a mother who fears for her safety. Irene was born after the death of an older brother and her parents desire to keep her protected is stifling. As expected when independence comes she begins her life out of the area. She marries, settles down and develops a competent practice to help others struggling with the challenges of life. Always seeking advancement for herself and her clients, she is introduced to the wonders of Avalon by friends, clients and an odd duck named, Jean.

Curious, she signs up for a 28-day stay hoping to learn something. And that is the beginning of a tumble down, fall out, you got to be kidding beginning of, “What did these people see in this? How can this help me or anyone else?” Irene is armed with education, life wisdom and a secure profession. And even it her marriage might be on the rocks, she has high self-esteem and capabilities to survive disaster. She is a self-made, compassionate woman.

Stripped of her basic self, she is annihilated to begin searching for a deeper sense of life, love and personhood. And soul bared she finds a gift of rebirth she never expected. Watson takes each reader on a journey into our inner being and like Dr. Mate Gabor author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction (2009) she exposes hidden additions. And by lighting the darkness she offers healing. ( )

A beautiful heartfelt book describing a little girls life as she grows up under the dominance of a mother who lived in a bubble of how her life and that of her perfect daughters life would be. Starting from fear of loosing her child, her mother protected Irene to the highest degree, constantly being with her, implanting her thoughts and beliefs and even speaking for her, making her believe that she was not to speak her mind at all. Irene was left to feel worthless and that people were not interested in her input in life at all.

A little girl petrified that God would punish her for not sticking to his ten rules, learning from her parents that when he was angry he could create plagues or even kill people. A little girl who sat and watched as her parents themselves went against these rules, confused and fearful. A little girl who was being abused by her cousins and was led to believe that this was her own doing and nothing else. A little girl who had no need for education as she WOULD live locally and WOULD be a farmers wife.

Then she met her saviour in friend Margie, who made her feel valued and a real person. She began to open up and challenge her mother but she was going against her perfect girl mother and when she tried to run away it was the final straw and brought out a violent side of her mother that she would never forget. In time she escapes by getting a job away from their small hamlet, but doe she really escape?

Left with a lifetime of mental as well as physical abuse, Irene follows her friends hype and enrols into the Avalon Center for a 28 day course on overcoming addictions. Extremely skeptical and believing it all to be a waste of time, she carries on believing at least it would help her when working with her therapy clients, hearing that addiction is only a symptom of the real underlying pain. Until one day close to the end of the course she finally gets it, a light bulb moment which positively changed Irene's life forever.

Although covering sad points in Irene's life I found myself fascinated reading about her day to day family life and the area around them. The author has written with a truly open and honest hand, even with a little humor at times. Very easy to read, you can feel the desperate emotion and pain felt at the time by the author and you may also find some possible answers to life's problems yourself.

I must admit when reading I love books with short chapters, the only problem with The Sitting Swing was that I kept saying to myself just one more, then another and another, it was very hard to actually put the book down. An inspiring memoir that will empower you to look within yourself with understanding and spirituality. Extremely recommended reading. ( )

Irene Watson, a therapist, wife and mother, took a bold step in her search for acceptance, knowledge and understanding. This venture into a unique rehab center brought about an unexpected and meaningful experience that changed her life. After ten years of ruminating and allowing the realizations she gained at the center to take hold, she shares her road to insight in “The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference.” Ms. Watson holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and is the founder of Reader Views, an author publicity company and website where authors and readers can access quality reviews. She actively participates in her nonprofit organization, Higher Power Foundation, Inc., facilitating retreats which lead participants through steps to discover any deep-seeded issue creating turmoil in their lives, and take conscious action on that issue through meditation and empowering self-awareness.
Ms. Watson’s examination of her childhood adversities and perceived discontented adult existence in “The Sitting Swing” leads the reader through an unforeseen emotional excursion which touches the soul, uplifts and educates. The sitting swing itself, poignantly and captivatingly presented on the front cover, is a symbolic hurdle many people can, and should, overcome. We can use Ms. Watson’s example to do so.
Beautifully written with vivid descriptions, in a professional manner, yet with appropriate casual touches and a delightful personal style, Ms. Watson’s ability to speak to the reader through her words affirms her sincerity. She emanates friendship and creates a sense of closeness with her audience that evokes emotional responses and inspires self-examination and realization.
“The Sitting Swing” is much more than a memoir or psychological report. It is a journey into a childhood not many people alive today could have experienced—but one with which many can identify. It is also a triumph of achieving emotional release and enlightenment. This book is a major component of Ms. Watson’s life work—her self-realized purpose for being. It delivers her message and meaning effectively, and in a most entertaining manner.
I highly recommend “The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference ” to everyone. My own personal experience with reading this book was meaningful and wonderful. Every reader can garner some insight and learn valuable lessons. Reading “The Sitting Swing” is a must for anyone who desires a better understanding of their own personal being and who cares about the relationships with self and their loved ones. ( )

I wanted to really like this book, but I just couldn't find it in myself to 'enjoy' it. While the material was not written to 'enjoy' I missed the potential for redemption amidst the addictions, the failed marriages and the overbearing mother, the family abuse...it was heart wrenching to read, but while it comes across as an earnest story, it was too deep and depressing for me to really 'enjoy'. ( )