Book Description: Is Your Home Out of Order?
Do your kids think that clean, folded clothes magically appear in their drawers? Do they roll their eyes when you suggest they clean the bathroom? Do you think it’s your job to pave their road to success? As parents, so often we hover, race in to save, and do everything we can for our kids—unintentionally reinforcing their belief that the world revolves around them. When Kay Wyma realized that an attitude of entitlement had crept into her home, this mother of five got some attitude of her own. Cleaning House is her account of a year-long campaign to introduce her kids to basic life skills. From making beds to grocery shopping to refinishing a deck chair, the Wyma family experienced for themselves the ways meaningful work can transform self-absorption into earned self-confidence and concern for others. With irresistible humor and refreshing insights, Kay candidly details the ups and downs of removing her own kids from the center of the universe. The changes that take place in her household will inspire you to launch your own campaign against youth entitlement. As Kay says, “Here’s to seeing what can happen when we tell our kids, ‘I believe in you, and I’m going to prove it by putting you to work.’ "
My Review: Having only one child I feel that I can keep up with the housework but it dawned on me one day last year that said only child may be a tad spoiled because mama cleans and picks up all the time. Sure, he has to make his bed and keep his bedroom somewhat orderly but can he fend for himself? Maybe to some lesser extent.
So, when Kay's book came out I eagerly snatched a copy. What is the secret to helping that our children so they won't feel entitled to every whim that they seek?
Kay doesn't have a pat answer. In fact, she gives a straight forward and very honest answer. Hard work and a lot of love!
Kay writes with a humorous flair...Task 5, p. 120, "Domestic Dirty Jobs...Introducing Lysol, Tilex, Soft Scrub and the Dreaded Toilet" is probably one of the most enlightening and humorous chapters. What is it about a toilet that no one wants to clean but yet everyone wants a clean toilet? I love the quote by Erma Bombeck that Kay uses to begin the chapter "The Rose Bowl is the only bowl that I've ever seen that I didn't have to clean."
Each chapter is chock full of how Kay and her family learned to work together and to clean together.
If you have one or more children living in your home then you need (yes, need) to read this fantastic book. None of us wants to raise socialistic children who believe that everything should be handed to them with no backbone involved!
*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah*
Meet the Author:
I'm a mother of five, a recovering enabler, finagler, procrastinator, and charter member of the Women's Auxiliary for the Organizationally-Challenged, doing her best to navigate the road of parenting tween/teens. Along the way, we just might have discovered a few secrets to taming the Youth Entitlement epidemic. Who knew it's in our homes, hiding in the laundry room?... and bathroom... and kitchen, & soup kitchen, and so much more. Come share the experience in "Cleaning House".
- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: WaterBrook Press (May 8, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0307730670
- ISBN-13: 978-0307730671
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