Putting Family First: Successful Strategies for Reclaiming Family Life in a Hurry-Up World
Cofounders of Family Life First, Doherty and Carlson believe that "family relationships are the irreplaceable core of a full human life" and that soccer practice, violin lessons, and other extracurricular activities serve to overwhelm children and distance them from their loved ones. Reclaiming the family meal, where parents establish and lead rituals (e.g., discussion, prayer) instead of just eating as quickly as possible, allows everyone to reconnect. This, in turn, eases further reclaiming, e.g., vacations and bedtimes. Although the authors' passion sometimes smacks of zeal, there is much practical advice here for parents, including single parents and stepfamilies. John Rosemond's New Parent Power! has a similar message, while Jim Taylor's Positive Pushing: How To Raise a Successful and Happy Child presents an intense counterpoint. With its warm, reassuring tone and lots of examples from real families, Doherty and Carlson's book is recommended for public libraries.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.