The Time-Starved Family: Helping Overloaded Families Focus on What Matters Most

My Rating: 4/5

Pages: 175  •  Speed: Fast

Subject: Family, Parenting

"In the scriptures, the Lord warns us not to run faster that we have the strength to run (Mosiah 4:27; D&C 10:4).  When we spread ourselves too thin for too long, everyone loses--especially our families."

This is just one lesson taught in this quick witted book from a mother of 7.  She learned first hand how to nurture individuality while strengthening family unity- all with busy schedules.  I have read many self-help family books, and I'm amazed at how a book on time management could be 600 pages.  Like I have the time to read that.  It's like the joke on 3 steps to be a Millionaire.  "First, you get a million dollars... and then..."  This author is inventive in her ideas, realistic in her goals, and understanding of what mothers go through.  There are 16 ideas suggested to get a family not just surviving but thriving.  Eating dinner together, you modeling controlled behavior, and knowing when to say "no" are three of them.  Other ideas include delegating tasks through mini family councils and learning to let kids fall so they can learn how to get up.  Here are a few things I underlined in the book.

• (in relation to kids' activities and accomplishments:) "C.S. Lewis had these wise words to share on the subject of comparison and competition: 'Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man...It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest.  Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.'"
• (prioritizing and recognizing the ticking clock") "If I were to tell you that your earth life would end exactly three months from today, what would you change about your current schedule?"
• "By doing too much to help our kids, we're actually relaying these messages to them: 'You can't do it without me' and 'You're not capable.'"

A quick read with practical ideas on how to refocus and make time for who you care about most.  It made me realize that if I am not making time for my kids, they are on the road to not making time for theirs.

Get it here.