Interview with Bernadette Noll, Author of Slow Family Living

Posted on by

Bernadette NollYesterday, I featured a review of Slow Family Living: 75 Simple Ways to Slow Down, Connect, and Create More Joy by Bernadette Noll. Today, Bernadette is stopping by Mother Daughter Book Club. com to talk about the Slow Family Movement, her book, and what families can do to bring more joy into their lives.

What inspired you to create SlowFamilyLiving.com?

BN: I was working with Carrie Contey giving a workshop on Creating a Family Mission Statement. The resounding theme was that people were feeling overwhelmed by external pressures from society/media/friends/family to do things a certain way, to sign up, enlist, and jump on board even when they didn’t really want to. We joked that like Slow Food there needed to be Slow Family which would allow people to connect to the process and find joy in the day to day. That afternoon we wrote the manifesto and Slow Family Living was born!

What do you think presents the biggest challenge to families being able to slow down?

BN: Perhaps the biggest challenge is that we are constantly getting messages delivered to us that make us live in fear that if we don’t sign up, jump on, enlist NOW we,  and our children, are at risk of being left behind. Marketers spend billions making us feel that way. The media works hard to tell us that we are not doing enough to stay safe, stay smart, stay well. In my book I really focus on offering ideas and inspiration to help families pause and tune into self so that they can figure out what they really and truly want for themselves and for their family.

Why do you think it’s important for families to spend less time on the go and have more down time together?

BN: I think in our modern day society we tend to give family time the last available time slot. I really think families can find great joy and connection in each other, great strength too, and I think the way to find that is to give family time priority and make sure that it holds a rightful place in our schedules. It’s not so much about having more down time, although for us as a family that is the goal, it is about finding the time to create connection now, while you’re all under one roof, so that down the road, when everyone is grown, you can have that connection in place. If you think of parenting as a 12” ruler, we really only get about ¼” with our children in our homes. The rest of the time they are out on their own. So what kind of connection do you want with these people with whom you will be adults for 40, 50 years? I really don’t want to add more pressure to do things a certain way, rather I wrote this book hoping to give parents ideas and permission even to do things their own way.

How do you see moms and dads using your book to simplify their lives?

BN: I offer lots of ideas for people to find ways to slow down, connect and really and truly see each other. My goal is that people use it not as a prescription but as a book of recipes which they can use, mix up a bit, and add in the ingredients in their own families and homes. I have things in the book that offer real practical ideas and other things that are more about a feeling. I grew up in a super connected family and lots of these ideas come from that experience. I think sometimes as parents we think parenting has to be cranky or joyless, when we live it in joy it is just that much more fun. So I offer ways to find joy in the day to day and to still get sh*t done!

When you decided to slow things down, was it difficult getting buy in from your husband and your kids?

BN: It wasn’t really a new idea in our home because it’s what I always wanted for my own family. I came from this idea that you could live family life with intention and with celebration. Randomly my family resists something I bring to the table – and I have to be willing to take their desires and needs into consideration!

In your own family, with four children and two busy parents, do you find you have to keep reminding yourself to reassess the commitments that make life busy?

Absolutely! And in fact, this is one of the main points I hope people take away from this book – the idea that on a regular basis you pause, check in with yourself and with the members of the family and ask, “Is what we’re doing really working for us?” And we use the moods in the house as a barometer for how it’s going. When we’re all cranky with each other we know it’s time to reign it in a bit!

So many families seem to be overscheduled and stressed out from it, yet there’s often a lot of pressure from other parents, teachers, team coaches and others to sign up for activities and events that take a big chunk of time. Do you have any advice on how to resist that pressure?

BN: This exact question is one of the main reasons we started Slow Family and why I wrote this book. My book and my website offer lots of tools for dealing with this pressure. The slow in Slow Family is about pausing and checking in with yourself and asking, “What do WE want?” Then looking down the road a few years and figuring out what your goals are. I also have a Family Mission Statement workbook on my site that helps families really tune into what they want, what they value, and how they want to feel in this whole lovely life.

How do you deal with the feeling of “missing out” that may come from turning down activities?

BN: We really don’t miss out on much that we really want to do. That was an interesting realization too because we thought that would be an issue. Instead we found great relief in the fact that we are assessing each thing and figuring out if we really, really want to attend. In the beginning my husband thought it might upset others when I said, “we’re gonna take it slow this weekend.” But really, I think people were relieved to know that that was a valid excuse to use. And then they used it too!

The subtitle of your book suggests that slowing down can help create more joy in a family. What do you mean by “joy” and how do you see that happening?

BN: There is so much to do in family life and we have a choice about how we approach it. We can moan about how much work we have to do or we can find ways to inject a little fun and to do things together. Not only do we ease our load but we can find connection and joy in the process. Our Family Blitz is a prime example of this. The house gets messy as any parent well knows. Rather than me feeling cranky, we can call BLITZ! Set the timer for 15, 20 minutes and it’s all hands on deck for a quick tidy. It’s easier and when things are easier there is just inherently more joy. When we are less stressed and less overwhelmed, joy is a natural by-product.

Do you have anything else you’d like to say to readers at Mother Daughter Book Club.com?

BN: There is no guilt over “doing it wrong” – rather there is understanding that if it feels wrong, whatever it is, we can tweak it to make it work for us. As individuals and as a family. And trust too that YOU KNOW BEST what your family needs and wants. And how you feel can be the supreme guide!

 

Book Review: Slow Family Living by Bernadette Noll

Posted on by

Slow Family Living cover imageIf you ever feel that family life is like being on a speeding treadmill in a never-ending rush from one chore or activity to another, take heart. A book by Bernadette Noll, cofounder of SlowFamilyLiving.com, has a few ideas for how to slow that treadmill run to a walk.

Noll and her husband have four children and plenty of family commitments, so she’s had experience juggling schedules and slowing her own family life down so both parents and children can spend time together, getting to know one another and developing healthy bonds. As part of SlowFamilyLiving.com, she’s given workshops to other parents on achieving a slower pace in their own lives.

Noll’s book, Slow Family Living: 75 Simple Ways to Slow Down, Connect, and Create More Joy, brings her suggestions to everyone who needs them. Noll is quick to say that she doesn’t have all the answers and her guide is only a start to implementing small changes that can bring big changes for families. Yet the simple suggestions found in its pages are likely to generate even more ideas from harried moms and dads who read them.

Noll doesn’t suggest dropping out of activities all together, rather she suggests an approach that asks parents and children to consider the things that are most important to them, and then implement changes that will make sure those are the things that get done.

For instance, Noll says one of the questions to be asked with any family routine or activity is, “Is this working for us?” Too often we make commitments or accept invitations without considering the impact it has on the rest of our time. Noll suggests not answering right away when offered the opportunity to take on something new. Instead, she recommends taking time to reflect on how the new thing will relate to everything else going on and if it’s truly worth it.

The short, simple suggestions found in Slow Family Living are easy to digest quickly then return to and ponder for a while. After all, Noll knows that what works in one family may not work for another. She doesn’t give set prescriptions, rather she invites parents to think about what’s important in their own lives and gives them ideas for how to achieve it. Slow Family Living is a resource you’ll want to keep handy to refer to often as you work to create the kind of family life you want to be happy with as your children grow.

Check back tomorrow when Bernadette Noll visits Mother Daughter Book Club.com to talk abut her book and the Slow Family lifestyle.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: If I Have to Tell You One More Time by Amy McCready

Posted on by

If I Have to Telll You One More Time cover imageHow many times have you wished you had a different solution when your kids act up than threatening with a time out or losing your cool and demanding they just do what you say? Situations that pit child against parent may come up multiple times a day, particularly when you have preschoolers testing limits to see how much they can get away with or teens seeking to assert their independence.

Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, Inc., knows about the day-to-day power struggles that go on in families and she’s got advice that can help the next time you’re faced with a child who refuses to brush her teeth, get off the computer and come to dinner, or put his clothes in a hamper for washing. McCready’s book, If I Have to Tell You One More Time… lays out many scenarios where power struggles may arise and gives suggestions for getting results without yelling, pleading, or overreacting with over-the-top punishments.

The subhead for the book says a lot about what you can find inside: The Revolutionary Program That Gets Your Kids to Listen Without Nagging, Reminding, or Yelling. I would have loved to have this guide when my daughters were younger. Each issue of childhood misbehavior has a Toolbox Solution—there are 23 toolboxes in all—that explains the solution, when to use it, why it works and gives tips for success. The only thing I believe could have made the book more useful is a more descriptive table of contents that outlines the issues and toolboxes in each chapter. That would make it easier to refer back to when needed. Even so, If I Have to Tell You One More Time… is a valuable tool to have on your parenting advice bookshelf.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book for review in exchange for my honest review.

Book Club Fun: Make Popcorn the Old-Fashioned Way

Posted on by

Sure it’s easy (and delicious) to whip up some microwave popcorn in a few minutes. But you can actually have fun as a book club making popcorn the old-fashioned way. Plus, it’s easy to do. Here’s a simple recipe to try:

Popcorn

Serves 6 to 8

  • 2 tablespoons (divided) high-heat vegetable oil such as peanut or canola
  • 1 teaspoon (divided) salt
  • 1 cup popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

The key factor in cooking popcorn is to keep the kernels moving so they pop evenly without burning. Cook the popcorn in a large saucepan with a handle, and cook ½ cup at a time.

Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil with ½ teaspoon salt over high heat. Put three or four kernels in the pan and cover. When you hear the kernels pop, you’ll know the oil is ready.

Pour in ½ cup of popcorn kernels, cover again, and begin shaking the pan gently. Continue shaking until several seconds lapse between pops. Remove popcorn from heat, pour in a large bowl and repeat with another batch.

When all the corn is popped, add butter and extra salt if needed. Or try summer different like adding a little sugar to your popcorn or sprinkling on colored sugar chrystals (the kind you use for decorating cookies.)

The idea is to keep it fun as well as tasty.

Book Review: Poopendous by Artie Bennett and Mike Moran

Posted on by

Poopendous cover imageIt’s true: little kids love to talk about poop. Parents can help them channel that attraction, and get them talking and laughing and learning abut poop all at the same time with the help of a new picture book for ages 4 and up called Poopendous. Written by Artie Bennett, who also wrote The Butt Book, Poopendous uses rhyming couplets to help kids learn about a few facts about the stuff that comes out of every animal’s body.

The story takes us on a journey with Professor Pip Poopdeck, who is full of fun facts such as “Poop from critters is called dung, and monkey dung is sometimes flung.” Or, “Camel poop is desert-dry. Wet poop comes from birds on high.” Mike Moran’s colorful illustrations are funny too. Every page features the professor and his two students, a girl and a boy, as they travel the world to find out facts about poop. You see mice and frogs and aardvarks, dogs and hippos and termites all happily getting down to business.

Poopendous is sure to delight kids and the adults who read to them. I highly recommend it.

The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion in this review.

 

Book Review: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Posted on by

Days of Blood and Starlight cover imageIn Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Laini Taylor created a world where angels and creatures are pitted against each other as two star-crossed lovers, Karou and Akiva, strive to bridge the gap and bring peace to their worlds. In the sequel, Days of Blood and Starlight, Taylor once again weaves her magic, ramping up the conflict and making the reader question a world of endless war where both sides suffer tragic losses.

Where the first book held out hope and possibility, much of this one is focused on the brutality that comes when two races set out to destroy one another. Both the seraphim and the chimaera are led by ruthless rulers who would like nothing more than total domination of the world they live in. In this tale, Karou and Akiva are at odds, separated by grief and the belief that they are powerless to really change the minds and hearts of their brethren. Hope for a different outcome is planted as a small seed that begins to grow until each of them feels confident and strong enough to act against the powers that lead them.

Like the first book in the series, Days of Blood and Starlight is fast-paced and breathtaking as it hurtles toward resolution. Taylor excels at the details of the fantasy world she has created, yet the story never gets lost or drags as she paints those details. I am sure I am not the only reader impatiently waiting to read the next installment of Karou and Akiva’s journey.

I recommend the series for mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 15 and up.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book for review.

Meatballs (and Meatless) Spaghetti Recipe for Your Book Club

Posted on by

Meatballs and Spaghetti

Serves 6 to 8

Meatballs served in a tomato sauce over spaghetti is an easy dish to serve when it’s your turn to host a book club dinner. This classic recipe works well for both the meat-eaters and the vegetarians in your group. That’s because it’s easy to keep some of the sauce aside before you add the meatballs. And if you’re in a mother-daughter or other kids book club with picky eaters? The kids can easily go for just the pasta with a little butter or olive oil and Parmesan cheese if they prefer it that way.

As a side dish, sauté slices of zucchini in a little olive oil with salt and pepper to taste. Zucchini is actually the Italian name for this vegetable that’s available nearly year round in grocery stores. Carrot sticks are usually a good choice as well.

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ chopped sweet yellow onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 cup very finely carrots, chopped
  • 2 28-oz cans plum tomatoes
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 small can of tomato paste
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt to taste

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • ½ lb ground Italian-style pork sausage
  • 2 tablespoons finely basil, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons finely fresh Italian parsley, chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup unseasoned bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Spaghetti

  • 1 to 1-1/2 lbs. dry thin spaghetti

To make the sauce, heat olive oil in 4 to 5 quart pot on medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic in the heated oil for about two minutes. Add carrots and cook about two more minutes. Add canned tomatoes, basil and parsley. Stir, chopping the tomatoes into smaller pieces with your stirring spoon. After about 5 minutes, add the tomato paste and stir until blended. Turn heat to low while you cook the meatballs.

To make the meatballs, place the beef, sausage, parsley, eggs, breadcrumbs, cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until well blended. Pinch off a small amount and shape it into ball. Set the ball on a plate and repeat until all the meat mixture has been formed into balls.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Place the meatballs in the skillet one by one and brown on all sides, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Stir cheese into the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste. If you’d like, set some sauce aside for anyone who is vegetarian or prefers a meatless meal. Fold in meatballs. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

Cook the pasta while the sauce is simmering by following the directions on the package. Drain when cooked.

To serve, ladle spaghetti onto plate and add sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.

World Read Aloud Day—Grab a Book and a Friend and Celebrate

Posted on by

Conjure up a picture in your mind of someone reading and chances are that person is sitting alone with a book in a chair or on a couch. Much of the time reading is a solitary pursuit, and that can be a good thing. We read for many reasons: to be intellectually challenged, to learn something new, to laugh, to be entertained, to be transported to other worlds . . . Sometimes that reason can also be to connect with someone else. That’s where reading aloud comes in. Reading aloud doesn’t have to be limited to moms and dads reading to their toddlers, preschoolers, and beginning readers. While reading aloud to young children is an important part of creating overall literacy, the pleasure of sharing the written word with someone important to you doesn’t have to age out. That means you can read aloud to your older child or teen, to your adult child or your spouse. Read aloud for the joy of sharing a story that you can then talk about.

You also don’t have to limit your reading to books. Just yesterday I read a magazine article aloud to my husband, and afterward we talked about pieces of the article we each particularly liked and what we found appealing about it. The idea is that reading aloud socializes and enriches a normally solitary pursuit. Today is World Read Aloud Day, an event created by LitWorld, a non-profit literacy organization that works to “foster resilience, hope, and joy through the power of story.” Why not settle down with someone you love, someone you like, or just someone you’d like to share a story with and spend a moment speaking words on a page out loud.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...