From Pampered to Productive – LDS Women's Book Review

From Pampered to Productive: Raising Children Who Know How to Work

Author: Debbie Bowen

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published Date: March 2012

Paperback; 144 pages

Genre: Nonfiction/Parenting

ISBN# 978-1-4621-1019-3

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: checked out from my local library

Summary

From television to iphones and automatic dishwashers, we’ve got it all—except each other. But there’s a simple solution. Turn forgotten to-dos into family fun with Debbie Bowen’s ten proven formulas for success. With new skills, added closeness, and a real sense of accomplishment, your whole family will soon cherish chore time. Raising responsible, hard-working kids has never been so rewarding!

Review

Hi, my name is Shanda, and I used to be a nagging mom.

When I would ask or remind my kids to do their jobs I would start with a request, then a firm reminder, than a curt demand, which would then turn into pleading, yelling, and finally threatening with no guarantee that the threats would work, even when I followed through.

After reading From Pampered to Productive, I now say just one word to get action and effort from previously reluctant kids: Consequences.

With four kids ages 15 (almost), 11, 5 and 3, I experienced a wide range of struggles in getting the kids to help, often hearing “I don’t know how,” or “I need help,” to “Do I HAVE to?” and “I ALWAYS have to do that!”

I was tired of always seeming like the mean mom and feeling guilty for asking my kids to help out.

From Pampered to Productive inspired me to make a few small changes, mostly in my attitude and perception about asking and involving my kids in the FAMILY’S work, and yet the results are impressive in our house. It’s not a miracle or fairy-godmother magic, but sometimes it feels that way. If I had to choose one thing that helped me the most, it was recognizing the housework and yard work as FAMILY work, since we all live here and all benefit from using the house and yard.

As the mom of ten kids, the author knows her stuff. I thought four kids was difficult to manage, but my hat comes off to her. I like how she involves the children in everything from assigning jobs to letting them work out their issues in family council with just a bit of guidance from Mom and Dad. She explains how our “excuses” for not involving the kids in the chores they capable of doing are cheating them out of gaining experience, learning responsibility and how to be self-starters, as well as experiencing that feeling of accomplishment after a job well-done. I love the author’s focus on actions and consequences.

There are four sections, each offering instruction, encouragement and personal stories of both success and struggle from the author. These sections are as follows:

Changing Your Mind-Set
Delegation – Your Key to Sanity
Eliminating Stumbling Blocks to Your Success
Rewards of Delegation

At 144 pages, the book is not a long read, but the information could be life-changing if you are one of us who struggle with getting kids (and maybe other family members) to do their share.

I highly recommend this book to all parents, including those with little ones who are eager to help. Now is the time to lay the groundwork so that you can hopefully avoid major struggles when your kids get older.

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