Intentional Parenting: A Review and Giveaway
Jamie at Steady Mom launched her new book, Steady Days, last week and asked me if I would review it and host a giveaway. I said “Of course!”.
It’s no secret that I’m always looking for new inspiration to be able to do my job as a parent better. Although it’s title is Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood it really is for any parent (not just mom) who wants to take a deliberate and professional approach to the important job of raising our children.
When I first became a mom I thought : “yeah sure I can do this”. Now as my kids are getting older, their needs are changing and having never done this before I feel I’m floundering a bit. Quite often, like Jamie, I find myself thinking … if I could just see how others do it. And that is exactly what this book is.
Jamie gives us an inside look at what it’s really like raising kids. With three little people of her own she has a lot of advice to share.
This is not a long book, nor does Jamie take the “this is what you must do” approach. Jamie knows that no two families are the same and so what works for one, may not necessarily work for another. Instead she gives you the tools that empower you to create a system that works for you.
Written as 40 short (and I mean short) chapters this book is divided into 4 main sections.
- Getting organized
- Retaining enthusiasm
- Learning together
- Making memories
It also comes with over 30 pages of sample worksheets that Jamie refers to throughout the book. You can use them as is or as inspiration to make your own variation.
Overall, my favorite part of the book was developing a steady routine. It lets you set a framework for your day as opposed to specific activities attached to specific times. This is what I was missing. I have already implement my steady routine and the day just flows so much more smoothly. There is no more wondering what we’re going to do, play with etc … it’s all written out already. It’s helped the kids as well in that they know generally what to expect in any given day.
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Jamie has given me a signed copy of Steady Days to give away to one of my fabulous readers.
How to enter: All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here sharing one of your fondest family memories.
On Friday January 22, 2010 at 8:00 am CST I will enter the number of comments into the random number generator at random.org to select our winner. Good luck!
Photo courtesy of: greekadman.
22 Responses to “Intentional Parenting: A Review and Giveaway”
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One of my fondest memories is dancing by candle and twinkle lights to Christmas music with my mother after we’d finished putting up Christmas decorations. (crazy ballroom style)
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe´s last blog ..Monday Musings : Getting Philosophical on Ya!
I’m having a terrible time coming up with just one. At first I thought of memories from when I was a child, then I thought of memories with my own child. I love family. My grandmother passed away before Christmas. I don’t think I’ll ever forget those last interactions my daughter had with her “Great Nannie.”
Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog ..Washing A Shower Curtain Liner
Oh thank you ladies. I have been eyeing this book based on descriptions I’ve been seeing. Sounds beautiful!
My fondest memories come from the dinner table when I was a kid. What a perfect way to visit, embrace life, and get to know each other and our passions.
Katie
Going on adventures with my mom….either to the city (San Francisco) or old Gold Rush towns (Columbia) we always had a blast.
Difficult to choose just one, especially as we have two boys now!
Every night I change my sons nappy (I am in the UK, “diaper” to my colonial cousins), he has been in bed for several hours by that time and usually does not fully wake, when I lift him from his bed he naturally throws his arms around my neck and hugs really hard.
It is a moment that I treasure every single night and would not miss for the world!
It sounds like a wonderful book. Still I would like to avoid joining the giveaway, someone else may need it more than me. =)
I want to share a story anyway. It may help someone.
When i was a kid, around 12 or 13 years old, My parents had no real money to sustain us (due to family problems). My dad decided to keep his job and after he started working as a taxi driver. Mom was always supportive and very efficient with money.
I remember our chairs were empty paint buckets and the table was a steal table we got gifted. I was the only one with a real bed. My parents were always optimistic and worked really hard to keep me at school.
They showed me that everything can be done. They also taught me that money is not everything and that I should be careful with it. That I did not need everything.
Now I must say, I am a college graduate, I am a graphic designer and web developer. Things go a lot better now. Still those days remind me of where I come from and what I have to do.
I really love my parents and I try everyday to give them back as much as I have been given during the years.
Thanks for letting me share this story Sherri. And I hope the book helps someone to share this kind of things with their kids. =)
Alejandro Reyes´s last blog ..A small mistake…
I love Jamie’s blog and would be honored to win her book.
A favorite family memory from my own childhood is a long road trip through New England we took when I was about 11. From the lives of my own children, it would be our visit to the pumpkin patch last fall. Everything was perfect — one of those sundrenched, postcard-worthy days that warms me whenever I remember it!
My fondest memory was going to Lake Michigan during the summers when I was growing up. We would spend a few weeks there and I loved every minute of it!!
I LOVE to make new memories with my precious boys! We got a new camera for Christmas and the boys and I are having a great time playing “photo-shoot” We have so much fun, dressing up and getting silly. I know that I will cherish these pictures of my silly little loves forever!
My fondest family memory is definitely the family tradition of going to our lake cabin every summer. I was the second generation to experience this beautiful special place. We went as a family often as I grew up, through every stage or our lives. Bringing friends, celebrating special occasions and making family memories. Now my husband and I take our son and our friends there as well.
My mother and my grandfather have passed away and this was their favorite place in the world. When we are there, I feel like I am able to share my mom and grandpa with my husband and my son through stories and memories.
Our daughter was two when our son had his Bar Mitzvah. During our speeches to our son, our daughter broke free from her nanny and ran up to the bima saying “I love you Jordan” over and over again.
The first time I saw our oldest adopted Russian daughter! She was 12 and her sister was 9. They didn’t know that I was in Russia to identify 1 child for adoption. My husband was home in case we needed any backup. I fell in love with Anna and she me!!!! But the only problem was that my husbands last words at the airport were”just 1 Mary Anne” Well all well that’s end well, he fell in love with them too, when we picked them up. It’s been over 7 years now and the miracle never ends!!!
Just last night my littlest munchkin had been having a miserable time falling asleep. Our rule is that if she wakes up in the middle of the night she can come into our bed but she has to at least start off the evening in her own bed. After hours of her squirming around, Daddy caved and told her to come on in the room. At this point I said to her “now don’t be thinking baby girl that you can always be acting up and still get what you want!” Her response – “I’ve got all that I want, I’m holding YOU!”
One of my favorite memories of growing up was washing dishes with my dad after dinner. He would soap and I would rinse and we’d ‘philosophize’ about everything. That was our daily father-daughter bonding time. Now my husband rinses with my dad, and it’s really neat to see them bond in a similar way.
thanks for letting us share.
I love sitting out on our deck and stargazing with my girls. It gives us a chance to talk about, well, everything. The girls’ school held a Star Party not too long ago and it was so much fun we won’t soon forget it.
Shanda´s last blog ..My List of Ten – If You Could Do Anything
I’d have to say each summer just my sister and I would fly to California and spend 2 weeks with my grandparents. Those were such wonderful times and I felt so safe and loved. Thanks, Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
A favorite family “memory” is the moments we’re all in the same room, and everyone is getting along!
carrie´s last blog ..Another mish-mash post
Just one favorite family memory? I would have to say the time we all went to Holiday In The Park at Six Flags. We had a blast and the kids still talk about it!
Jen´s last blog ..New Stock In My Shop Calling For A Giveaway!
My fondest memories are the first time I ever set eyes on my three precious kids the day they were born.
One of my greatest family memories is the many times the kids and I just cranked the music and danced! Making big fools of ourselves and not caring one bit!
Chele´s last blog ..The 3R’s – Something You Should Live By
One of my fondest memories with my family is camping last summer– both kiddos were old enough to enjoy the experience fully and even do some hiking. I’m looking forward to introducing them to Yosemite…
Diana (Ladybug Limited)´s last blog ..Word for 2010: Intentional
Playing golf with my dad when I was younger.