The Secrets of Happy Families
Friday, October 23, 2009
I’m a sucker for a good self-help book. I love inspirational information that not only motivates me but is entertaining, too. So, when the good folks at Wiley offered to send me Dr. Scott Haltzman’s latest book, “The Secrets of Happy Families: Eight Keys to Building a Lifetime of Connection and Contentment,” I quickly said yes.
I first came across Dr. Haltzman when the title of one of his previous books jumped off the shelf at me in the bookstore – “The Secrets of Happily Married Women: How to Get More Out of Your Relationship by Doing Less.” Um, hello. Who doesn’t want that? I bought the book and reviewed it at Wifey’s House. Imagine my surprise when Dr. Haltzman left a comment on my blog after a positive but critical review. He was extremely gracious and since then has been very supportive of my book and writing endeavors.
Dr. Haltzman struck gold again with the “The Secrets of Happy Families.” The book offers Dr. Haltzman’s professional insight as well as results from a 1,266 person survey where men and women reveal their family secrets on topics from sex to childcare. One of the things that resonated with me the most in the book was in Secret 1: Happy Families … Stick Together where he discussed defining and setting your family values.
Values. We all have them, but how often do we actually think about them or more importantly live by them. Do we say one thing but do another? The chapter opens offering the dilemma of a 13 year-old child encouraging his mother to buy him a 12 and under ticket to save money. Hmm. Such a common situation that often seems harmless, but is it? If we save a few bucks are our children learning that money is more important than honesty? I’m not preaching folks and I plead the fifth about my first trip to the Georgia Aquarium – my daughter really was two, ahem – but I think the chapter raises interesting points that often go over looked. It’s spawned me to think about my family values and I challenge you to do the same.
Have you ever taken the time to define your family values? And, are you on the same page with your spouse? Wondering wives want to know …
Winks & Smiles,
"The Secrets of Happy Families" is available here and at local bookstores.
5 comments:
Interesting point. I was my parents official receptionist at home and knew for whom they were "home" or out. To this day some of my parent's friends still joke how it was easier to get through to the White House than my parents. But i have since read that such small behaviours teach kids about lying. I'm not sure what side i fall on in terms of believing that but its def an interesting premise.
This is something that hubs and I have to work on together!!! ;) We have some core things like no swearing, speaking respectfully, showing love, contributing as members of this family!
This book sounds very interesting and I am sucker for a good self help book!
We strive to teach kids about honesty. Our lessons seem to be sticking because our kids call us out whenever we stretch the truth.
i definitely think that having kids has forced us to discuss our individual values as well as those that we want to instill in our family. what's funny is that sometimes the kids will show us where hubby and i sometimes falter. they see things in black and white and have such a clear sense of right and wrong. we definitely learn a thing or two from them!
My husband and I both have our core values we stick to .Before reading this I was quick to say we have little harmless things we can work on but,I see those little things can easily create a different life scenario which could be negative.
Great info will check this out!
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