Book Review and Giveaway - When You Say 'Thank You' Mean It

I thought it was timely to post a review and giveaway now - with most of my US blogging friends wrapping up their Thanksgiving celebrations and Thankful blog posts - for a great new parenting book called When You Say "Thank You," Mean It: And 11 Other Lessons for Instilling Lifelong Values In Your Children by Mary O'Donohue


When You Say "Thank You," Mean It: And 11 Other Lessons for Instilling Lifelong Values In Your ChildrenFrom the Publisher:


On sale on October 2010, a new parenting book written by proud mother of two, Mary O'Donohue, "When You Say 'Thank You,' Mean It: And 11 Other Lessons for Instilling Lifelong Values in Your Children" is a unique guide that offers purposeful advice for raising joyful, thoughtful children, who will make their world a better one to live in.

In this book, you'll learn how O'Donohue, a working mother, developed a practical program that allows parents to instill timeless values in their children over the course of one year. Focusing on one key value a month, the
whole family can learn together through twelve fun and family-friendly activities, including:

* Keeping a Gratitude Board
* Creating Respect Tiles
* Making a Compassion in Action Calendar
* Hosting an Earning for Learning Gameshow
* Starting a Life Map



My Review:


This book has a great, step by step approach to instilling values education in your children.  I love that this book has different levels of activities - some you should incorporate every day, others are weekly, monthly or occasionally.


One of my favorite simple weekly activities comes from month seven: Sense of Joy and asks each family member to do something during the week that makes another family member happy. 


Maybe your son might agree to play his sister's favorite board game even though it's not his favorite.  Or perhaps your daughter might join you for an evening walk to the park when she'd rather stay home and watch a movie, because she knows how much you enjoy her company.  Parents take part too.  You can finger paint  with your daughter because she has so much fun being artistic, or go swimming with your son because he loves being in the water...
... The point of the exercise is to show children how important it is for them to extend themselves in order to bring joy to other people in their lives.  The side benefit is that you may notice your child feeling happy doing things for other poeple"
Each chapter correlates to a month worth of time and deals with a different topic ranging from Self Respect to Forgiveness to Commitment.  


I highly recommend this book if you are looking for ways to focus your family on strengthening your values and looking at the world around you with gratitude.


About the author:
Mary O'Donohue developed a unique, practical program that she and her husband use to successfully educate their children about twelve values her family hods most dear.  Focusing on one key value a month, this program empowers busy parents like you to instill timeless values in your children.  The family of four lives and learns together in suburban Chicago.


Buy it:
This book is available directly from Adams Media Bookstore for $11.53 and from Amazon.com for $12.20, as well as from other fine booksellers.


Win It:
The wonderful publishers at Adams Media want to share When You Say "Thank You," Mean It: And 11 Other Lessons for Instilling Lifelong Values In Your Children with one of my readers too, so I am able to offer this as a giveaway, open to the US and Canada.  
It will run until December 6th at 11:59pm and the winner will be chosen by random.org and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.



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