Family Resources Books

We have been referring to Betsy's book with our Financial Service clients to help them discover how they would like to spend their life transition into a reduced work life or complete retirement. Betsy's book gives the reader insight into how they can design their own "next phase" from a hobbies, activities and emotional perspective. The excercises and exhibits bring them through a thought process and helps design what they truly want their retirement to be, what they don't want to do and helps to frame what is typically a topic we give very little thought to on a practical level. This book is ideal for three groups- baby boomers who would like to retire early or reinvent themselves in another career or business, pre-retirees who have approx. 5-7 years before retirement and those currently in retirement who are "out of sorts" and not feeling successful. Betsy uses insights and thought provoking questions which motivate the reader to take time and give careful thought to what may be the most rewarding time of our lives, and after all, we may be spending more time in retirement than we spent in our working years....

I had the pleasure of reading Betsy's manuscript before the book was published. It's a wonderful explanation of the changing nature of retirement and how each one of us can make it a special, unique and meaningful experience no matter what we choose to do. Some may "retire" from retirement and become active again in the workforce, perhaps as a volunteer, perhaps for financial support. Whatever you choose, this book helps you think through your personal changes, both physical and psychological, that the transition from more work to less (or no work) may bring.

The book covers topics such as planning ahead for the social, emotional, psychological and spiritual issues; developing good "retirement skills"; relocation; emotional fulfillment; structuring your day; family and social relationships; avoiding boredom, loneliness and depression; "flunking retirement"; and more.

Most retirement books talk to you about the money side of things. This book does not. It's well written, easy to read, and would make a great gift to your favorite "pre-retiree." I know it will be well used in my lending library at Planning For Life.

As with all the Mary Pride books I've read, I wish I'd read School Proof sooner. It would have saved me some experimentation in my homeschooling. I love the concept that simpler is better, and she really demystifies the process of education. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone thinking about homeschooling, or just starting out in homeschooling. This is my 7th year teaching my children, and School Proof served as a pleasant refresher for me.

I have contemplated homeschooling for quite a while, but I didn't know where to begin. I felt overwhelmed at the whole idea--until I read this book. Pride sets forth her philosophy of teaching and explains how we can empower our children with the tools they need that will eventually enable them to teach themselves. I wouldn't start or continue homeschooling without first reading this book.

This is a carefully researched and elegantly written book on the relationship between sexuality and spirituality on US college campuses. It is pretty well known among scholars that high school kids are quite religious in the US. When they go to college they start turning away from the religions of their parents, often toward more generic spirituality. Why does this happen? Freitas thinks sexual experience might hold the key. In other words, as college students start experimenting sexually they push away from religion, since religion is in their view "anti-sex." That's the argument, or part of it. But at the heart of the book lie stories about these students. Kids at evangelical, Catholic, and secular schools struggling with faith and sexuality. It's brilliantly done. It's sad in many ways to see the binds that "hookup culture" put young people in. It's balanced in that there are things in here that will infuriate (and delight) conservatives and liberals alike. And it's timely. Makes me wonder what the next generation is in for heading off to college.

This is an excellent ( at times appalling - at times hopeful) book. I don't usually find sociology books that I can't put down, but I read through this one in short order. What the author does quite brilliantly is weave her study of college students and how they integrate faith/religion and sex, around the personal stories of the students that she interviews. If you are a parent (like me) it is disheartening to see the influences that kids come under when they go away to college, and the soul-destroying nature of casual "hook-ups" with people one may or may not know well.

The book is hopeful (to my way of thinking) in that it is almost exclusively the evangelicals (I am one) who believe that there is a connection between spirituality and sex, and that it is important. While it is no surprise that virtually everyone struggles with how far to go physically before marriage, it is nice to see that evangelicals are generally trying to follow what they believe God desires in regards to dating and marriage.

I would send this book to myself when my kids were infants. Great guidance.

This book has been recommended to me by many people for several years. Now that I have finally read it, I will be recommending it to any parent who wants to raise their children in a Biblical, God-centered way. Tripp is straight forward, honest, and convicting in his assessment of common mistakes we all make with our children, and offers alternatives based on scripture. It encourages one to really think about what we are training our children by how we are training them. It would be a really good book study for a small group, but it also very helpful for an individual to read.

Ms Laycock is well qualified to author this work on reshaping the workplace. She starts with an overview of the work-life movement and moves on to give the key elements: recognition of the value, a commitment to change, and poviding innovative strategies.
In the second chapter the important fundamentals and basic components of the life-work program are introduced and developed.
She goes on to present the challenges to facilitate necessary changes to develop and implement this kind of a workplace. Next she introduces a comprehensive management approach for workplace enhancement including a plan for superviser training. With a sentsitive understanding Ms Laycock offers plans for dependent care and flexibe scheduling. This well organized approach at reshaping the workplace concludes with a broad range of addditonal options and benefits to augment a employer/employee friendly workplace.
The final chapter is devoted to providing sample surveys, forms, and policies with suggestions for use in implementing these programs.
This is a must read for policy making managers, human resource directors, medium and small business owners, and for employees looking for beneficial change in the workplace. After a careful first read you will want to refer to it often to evaluate your progress at implementing the suggested changes. This is an excellent book to keep handy in your reference library.

Reviewed by Joanne Benham for Reader Views (1/06)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that in 2006 there will be 151 million jobs in the U.S. and a labor pool of only 141 million workers to fill them. Companies today are facing a daunting challenge as they struggle to recruit and retain knowledgeable employees. Add to this mix employees who are striving to find fulfillment both at work and at home, a dilemma Angelina Laycock calls The Work-Life Movement, and you have a recipe for disaster.

In her book, "Strategies for Reshaping the Workforce," Laycock introduces the reader to the concept of the Work-Life Movement, explaining its historical background and how it affects companies today. She then lays out the major components of the Work-Life Movement and in subsequent sections you are taught how to:

a) Guide the changes
b) Use new approaches in managing people.

Laycock then focuses on the two major Work-Life Options, dependent care and flexible scheduling, explaining each in great detail and how they impact on an employee's life, both at work and at home.

There are also many suggestions for making the work environment more pleasant, from painting the premises in bright colors and buying ergonomic furniture to offering a nice lunchroom or outside picnic area.

At the end of the book are several focused surveys you can use to determine your employees' need of dependent-care and flexible scheduling services.

This book is a must read for all Human Resource offices facing the difficult challenge of staffing the modern business.

This is a great book for the resources and to make a person quickly change their diet.

I RECENTLY PICKED SUNFOOD LIVING UP AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN FOR LONG, I JUST KEEP GOING BACK TO IT FOR MORE ANSWERS TO MY MANY SEARCHES AND QUESTIONS ON A MULTITUDE OF TOPICS. A MUST HAVE IF YOU'RE A RAW - VEGAN - VEGETARIAN OR JUST PLAIN GREEN. THIS BOOK IS JAM-PACKED WITH AWESOME IN-DEPTH INFORMATION ON EVERYTHING TO HELP THE PLANET AND YOURSELF. EVERY PAGE GIVES YOU TONS OF IDEAS AND THINGS TO THINK ABOUT, WHICH THEN HELPS YOU TO CONTEMPLATE HOW YOU WANT TO LIVE, EAT AND PROSPER!! I LOVE IT!! IT TRULY IS A BOOK THAT IS FILLED WITH HEART AND SOUL AND SO PROPERLY TIMED FOR RIGHT NOW!!.....

This book really shows a kid that a family can be made up of just about anyone...my kids loved this book.

This is one of my favourite books, (and my two childrens'). The story of a bear who cannot see the forrest for the trees and who feels left out because he is different and imperfect is wonderful for children to begin to experience the importance of individuals for their own special characteristics.

Another outstanding book by this author. Working Out, Working Within-The Tao of Inner Fitness was the first book I read of this genre which was a huge help in beginning a healthy long-term approach to fitness.

This book is so beautiful and really makes you aware that mentor and mentoree enjoy the same process of learning and growing. The writings are well stated and heartfelt. Truly, mentoring is a powerful force in deeper self-awareness and growth.

I am a psychologist and work with parents and children. It is frequently difficult for parents and teens to understand and interact with each other. This books spells out clearly the importance of a good relationship and step by step behaviors to get there. I recommend it frequently to parents with positive reactions and results.

I am a psychologist and work with parents and children. It is frequently difficult for parents and teens to understand and interact with each other. This books spells out clearly the importance of a good relationship and step by step behaviors to get there. I recommend it frequently to parents with positive reactions and results.

Extremely informative! Donna Bast really knows her stuff. She should consider hosting her own television series on the topic.

The Saint

What a great book for parents. Fantastic ideas on how to keep your kids safe on the internet. Learn how to protect yourself and your kids from the dangers that are on the internet every day. Thanks Donna for a great book that was well needed.