Review: Nothing beats strong family ties !!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 25, 2013
This book is excellent and the author provides sounds tips to new parents about how to create a happy and close-knit family. These tips include developing manners at an early age, forgiving and forgetting, knowing when to apologize and creating your own family traditions.I can't imagine growing up with people other than those I call my family today.  Our parents were very loving and giving and even though we didn't have a lot our parents gave us everything that we needed.  My parents taught us to be polite and respectful of others and we continue to do so today.  My parents friends continue to comment on the fact that we still address them as Mr. and Mrs. while their children refer to everyone by their 1st name (we are now in our 40s and I still can't bring myself to refer to them by their 1st name !!! and they don't seem to mind one bit.  We always said please and thank you.  We always asked to be excused from table at then end of a meal and we never went to bed without giving our parents goodnight hugs and kisses.  If our father left for work and we didn't have a chance to give him a goodbye kiss we were devastated and had to give him 2 kisses when he came home.  As in every household there were times arguments and a few harsh words spoken.  I will never forget a little secret that my father shared with me....even though your Mother and I are angry with each other you have nothing to worry about because we still touch one another.  That means that we may be angry but we still love each other.  From that day on I always watched for those subtle little touches - a touch on the hand, a rub on the back, a gentle squeeze on the shoulder.  They were always there.  I still watch for this in my family and amongst my friends when they are having difficulties.My parents raised three very strong and independent daughters and even though we live now live in different towns and cannot see each other on a regular basis we have stayed very close.  Phone calls, text messages, social media...we use it all.  When we do get together you never know what will happen.  I remember one visit a few years ago where my sisters and I were in the kitchen preparing a birthday dinner for our Aunt.  We were playing old songs, dancing and singing, teasing one another and eventually a few of the food items started flying through the air.  Two of my nieces were sitting on the counter watching the "adults" and my 4 year old niece looked at her sister, rolled her eyes, shrugged her shoulders and said "Family" !!!