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Slow Family Living {Review and Giveaway}

March 10, 2013 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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If you ask a mother of school-age children about her week, I would bet one of the first words that will spring to her mind is “busy.” Juggling children’s activities, work and/or volunteer service, household maintenance (we all have to eat and need clean clothes to wear) eats quickly into those 24 hours we all have each day. But even if we manage to get everything done, do we ever ask ourselves, “Is this working for us?”

That is one of the approaches Bernadette Noll suggests in her book Slow Family Living: 75 Simple Ways to Slow Down, Connect, and Create More Joy. Each short chapter gives one way that you can do what the subtitle says: slow down, be more connected or joyful in your day-to-day lives, and just enjoy each other more. Each idea won’t work for each family, but I guarantee you something will work for you.

One that touched me is the “do over.” Do you ever answer a child’s question in a much snippier tone than he deserves? Does your child ever answer you with a disrespectful tone in her voice? Either party can just call “do over!” Then the question and the answer are repeated. Humor is effective to diffuse a situation, and it’s a great way to get your point across about respectful communication without having a big lecture session.

Other ideas that you might want to learn about:

  • alternatives to organized sports
  • effective listening
  • practical ways to move from fast to slow
  • experiencing fun and togetherness while doing chores

Check out the Slow Family Living blog to read her manifesto and for more tips and encouragement. You can also like them on Facebook.

We have a copy of Slow Family Living for one of you. Follow the instructions in the rafflecopter below to enter, starting off by leaving a comment and indicating that you’ve done so! The giveaway will close on March 23.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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49 Comments

  1. heather c says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    Yes, indeed! I find myself repeating myself more often than not, so effective listening is calling my name.

    Reply
  2. Gianna says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:48 pm

    Yes, everything is always rush rush.

    Reply
  3. Shirley Zolenski says

    March 22, 2013 at 10:17 pm

    I would love to. We are always on the go and I would like to enjoy life more.

    Reply
  4. susan smoaks says

    March 22, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    yes we need to try slow family living

    Reply
  5. Lisa says

    March 22, 2013 at 6:30 pm

    Yes, I feel that we are too rushed.

    Reply
  6. Allison says

    March 22, 2013 at 4:08 pm

    Oh a chance of pace would be nice. Slow down

    Reply
  7. Karen says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:21 am

    Always looks for new ideas. Need help with slowing down sometimes.

    Reply
  8. mary renshaw says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:17 am

    I work from home and sometimes its hard to get away and separate!!!!

    Reply
  9. myxi hu says

    March 22, 2013 at 6:38 am

    My stress level is making me sick. I would love to.

    Reply
  10. kathy pease says

    March 21, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    we are always on the go busy with sports and stuff and this sounds like a great tool for quality time

    Reply
  11. Ed Nemmers says

    March 21, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    I want to experience more joy!

    Reply
  12. Danielle D says

    March 21, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    Yes it would work for out family!

    Reply
  13. Melanie Montgomery says

    March 21, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    I need to slow down

    Reply
  14. shawna says

    March 21, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    Yes, because it seems like activities and technology get in the way of being a tight knit family these days.

    Reply
  15. deana c says

    March 21, 2013 at 8:21 am

    Yes, because everyone in my house is always on the go! We need to slow down!

    Reply
  16. Brandy W. says

    March 20, 2013 at 10:33 pm

    yes, it seems like the perfect way to start “slowing down & smelling the roses”

    everything is going into overdrive all the time and some pointers on making better use of my time would be wonderful!

    Reply
  17. tina reynolds says

    March 20, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    with the three little kids I would love to find a way to slow down more

    Reply
  18. nicole krutz says

    March 20, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    yes because i always feel rushed and when i do have a chance to sit down and relax i want to do it alone and not with the kids, i would love some relaxing ideas

    Reply
  19. Valerie Taylor Mabrey says

    March 20, 2013 at 10:15 am

    Need to find a way to reduce stress
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

    Reply
  20. Cynthia Joncas says

    March 19, 2013 at 9:31 pm

    We love doing things together as a family

    Reply
  21. Katy says

    March 19, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    We are more of an old-fashioned family. We like living simply and doing things on the homestead together. We value faith, family and being together. 🙂 This book would be lovely to read!

    Reply
  22. Stephanie Larison says

    March 19, 2013 at 2:57 am

    Yes, I think it would bring us all closer.

    Reply
  23. Seaside Book Nook says

    March 18, 2013 at 11:44 pm

    I so need to slow down. I would love to win this book. My life (and family’s life) is out of control. We are always rushing to school, work, sports, events, etc. We never even sit down to dinner anymore. HELP!

    Jill at Seaside Book Nook

    seasidebooknook at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  24. Caitlin McClure says

    March 18, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    Yes! I need help slowing down sometimes

    Reply
  25. Shelby Brigham says

    March 18, 2013 at 8:23 pm

    I would like to try it because it always seems that I am caught up in schoolwork, housework, or errands

    Reply
  26. Lauren E says

    March 18, 2013 at 11:05 am

    Sometimes we as a family are always rushing. We never know when to slow down and enjoy each other mother. That is why I would like this book

    Reply
  27. K.Pugh says

    March 18, 2013 at 8:27 am

    Our 4 kids range from highschool to babies at home. I’d love to incorporate some slow living tips.
    Thanks for the chance.

    Reply
  28. april yedinak says

    March 17, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    I already practice slow family living, but I would be interested in reading some of the author’s ideas.

    Reply
  29. Lauren says

    March 16, 2013 at 11:44 pm

    P.S. I’d love to try Slow Family Living so my family can relax a little!

    Reply
  30. Lauren says

    March 16, 2013 at 11:43 pm

    Looks like a good book — even kids are stressed these days with afternoons and weekends filled with after-school and extracurricular activities!

    Reply
  31. Brittany says

    March 15, 2013 at 11:09 pm

    I have four kids who are all in sports and activities we are busy all the time it seems. I want to enjoy their childhood with them and slow down to reduce some stress and introduce more fun into our family. I would love this book.

    Reply
  32. Elisabeth says

    March 15, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    As a family we definitely do better when we slow down and it would be neat to learn tips to make this happen more!

    Reply
  33. Lenora D says

    March 15, 2013 at 11:10 am

    My stress level is making me sick. I would love to.

    Reply
  34. Beth C says

    March 14, 2013 at 8:47 am

    I want to slow down my life so I am less stressed and have less headaches.

    Reply
  35. Justine says

    March 13, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    I love the tip you shared in the post! It is a simple thing to do that would make interactions more positive! I would love to be able to enjoy and use more her tips!

    Reply
  36. Erin says

    March 13, 2013 at 10:36 am

    I can relate to the opening paragraph — we are a family of school aged children! I would love to read these suggestions.

    Reply
  37. kristen says

    March 12, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Really feel like we need to slow down… always busy and its driving us all crazy! lol

    Reply
  38. Jessica T says

    March 12, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    Looks like this book will have a lot of good advice on living in the moment! Something we all need as parents!

    Reply
  39. Monique says

    March 12, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    For me to slow down as a family would help my Daughter as being 9 with all going on in her life she does not need the stress.
    Slow down for my family would be to stop and learn what areas need tuning up.
    Between school and my husband working and the older our daughter gets I see how important it is.
    But to read and take on new ways and tasks is important to me…
    If I were to win this book I would be greatful…

    Reply
  40. Mona Evanochko says

    March 11, 2013 at 9:48 pm

    My Daughter talks about how they can slow things down and organize and enjoy their hectic lives, some tips would be great. I’d love to give her this as a gift.

    Reply
  41. Janet says

    March 11, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    Everything is just too hectic. I would love to read this book.

    Reply
  42. Joy says

    March 11, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    i would love to be able to slow down and enjoy life more!

    Reply
  43. Maureen says

    March 11, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    Just entered – this books would be helpful to me and my family as we are always going. Thanks, Maureen

    Reply
  44. anne says

    March 11, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    It is beneficial and healthy. Better for everyone.

    Reply
  45. angie says

    March 11, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    would love a change of pace

    Reply
  46. Idaho Jill says

    March 11, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    I am definitely short with my daughter too often – I am trying to be more patient and listen more, giving her my full attention instead of doing 5 things at once AND listen. Anyway, would love to read the tips in the book, thanks!

    Reply
  47. Kristie says

    March 11, 2013 at 9:41 am

    I would love to read Slow Family Living! I could use a few tips to slow down and enjoy my family more 🙂

    Reply
  48. Local Coupon says

    March 10, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    Thanks for this tips…. please share more!!

    ____________________
    couponfield.com

    Reply
  49. DebbieKL says

    March 10, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    I often feel like I’m always on the move either at home or doing errands. I’d love to read some tips to help me appreciate each day a little more

    Reply

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