Family Resources Books

This book provides a powerful example that thinking out of the box can open up a new perspective on a conflict that had seemed to be unsolvable. And this book is an example that academic research can lead to applicable and practical results.

The conflict between work life and family life is as old as the industrial age. We all know it and we all experience it in our daily life. The four authors, all of them experienced researchers, have or most of their lives tried to better understand this conflict and its underlying story. But with this book they went a step beyond traditional approaches. Based on case studies they unveil a number of assumptions on which this conflict is based. They challenge norms and traditional thinking. Career choices, life opportunities, values and reward structures are based on a specific western type of thinking that historically has been shaped by white, married, middle-class men. The result is a system that dominates most of our work-life and effects our private life, that of men and women. The authors question this system from two angles. First, they analyze the often painful struggle between having a life and a career, and how individuals are trying to balance the two. Second, they show that the widely believed assumption: "this system is bad for us but good for the organization" does not hold true. Organizations and work processes are often inefficient and the individual behavior that is based on these norms don't move the whole organization forward.

This book does not make the mistake of ending up with an easy answer. The authors identify leverage points for significant change in organizations. The book has helped me to rethink basic assumptions about work and organizations in the industrialized world and to see new potential for change.

This book provides a powerful example that thinking out of the box
can open up a new perspective on a conflict that had seemed to be
unsolvable. And this book is an example that academic research can
lead to applicable and practical results.

The conflict between work life and family life is as old as the
industrial age. We all know it and we all experience it in our daily
life. The four authors, all of them experienced researchers, have
for most of their lives tried to better understand this conflict and
its underlying story. But with this book they went a step beyond
traditional approaches. Based on case studies they unveil a number
of assumptions on which this conflict is based. They challenge
norms and traditional thinking. Career choices, life opportunities,
values and reward structures are based on a specific western type of
thinking that historically has been shaped by white, married,
middle-class men. The result is a system that dominates most of our

work-life and effects our private life, that of men and women. The
authors question this system from two angles. First, they analyze
the often painful struggle between having a life and a career, and
how individuals are trying to balance the two. Second, they show that
the widely believed assumption: "this system is bad for us but good
for the organization" does not hold true. Organizations and work
processes are often inefficient and the individual behavior that is
based on these norms don't move the whole organization forward.

This book does not make the mistake of ending up with an easy answer.
The authors identify leverage points for significant change in
organizations. The book has helped me to rethink basic assumptions
about work and organizations in the industrialized world and to see
new potential for change.

As a coach and consultant to attorneys struggling to make
the business case for effective and usable work-life practices, I found this book to be an invaluable tool and resource.
Law firms are bastions of gendered assumptions about ideal
workers. The insatiable demand for ever-increasing billable hours makes developing and maintaining a normal life outside of work an extraordinary challenge, particularly for women attorneys. "Beyond Work-Family Balance" clearly articulates the tacit gendered assumptions underlying current law firm work practices and effectively establishes the connection between gender equity and workplace performance.
I wish the managing partners of every law firm would read this.
I'll refer all of my coaching clients to it. At least it will
confirm that it's the system - not them - that has the problem.

This is a book we have all been waiting for. After decades of reflection and debate about how best to develop innovative, high performance organisations, on the one hand, and how to enhance gender equity and work-personal life integration on the other hand, this book tells us that the two are not only compatible, but mutually dependent. Written in a non technical and thoroughly engaging style, the book argues that work practices and norms which are inequitable are also ineffective. The authors have the rare knack of presenting a deep and thoughtful analysis in such a clear way that their argument seems simple and obvious.

The heart of the problem lies in the gendered assumptions that underpin many everyday working practices . The authors point out that assumptions based on traditional masculine values and life situations include the defining of commitment in terms of long working hours that preclude time for family or personal life, and the valuing of stereotypical male competencies, such as heroic action and firefighting, above interpersonal and other competencies regarded as more “feminine”. Drawing on action research in a range of organisations they demonstrate how these assumptions and the practices that follow from them, undermine effective performance, but are so taken-for-granted that we rarely question them.

What really distinguishes this book is that the authors go beyond identifying problems to provide a well tried method for bringing about meaningful change It does not offer one size fits all solutions but does provide a process for reaching tailor made solutions. Their method of Collaborative Interactive Action Research (CIAR) includes examining working practice and the assumptions that sustain ineffective practices and gender inequity and then thinking collaboratively with work teams to come up with innovative solutions to what they call the “dual agenda”. The case studies used throughout the book are based on experience in a wide range of organisations so that everybody should be able to identify with at least some of the situations described. This should leave limited room for the traditional cry of “it won’t work here”.

For all those readers who are interested in organisational performance and change and in gender equity, whether or not they have already made the connections between the two, this book will make compulsive reading. Even the most cynical will find it difficult to totally disregard the central message that gender equity and effective performance go hand in hand.

The long-awaited, "Beyond Work-Family Balance," is finally out! Many of us have been waiting for
the better part of a decade for a full treatment of the worklife
integration experiments at Xerox and elsewhere, and this is it! If you are
looking for a book to get you charged up about the business case for
work/life programs, go elsewhere. If you want the most honest, detailed
account of attempts to make the business case successful in practice, this
is the book for you. The basic argument starts with integration: we cannot
improve things unless and until we are willing to bring the public sphere
of employment and the private sphere of home together, a process that can
range from embarrassing to painful. The second ingredient is the dual
agenda of improving business performance and gender equity. The tightrope
involved in carrying this dual agenda into the workplace is what makes the
book interesting, powerful, and realistic. The authors argue that an
interactive research approach is required to make the dual agenda work,
with the researchers listening and learning almost as much as the
participants in the business world, a process that requires constant
feedback, reflection, and communication. Indeed, an entire chapter is
devoted to lessons for research teams wishing to pursue research while
applying a dual agenda to themselves. Sometimes the dual agenda succeeds,
and employees and managers learn how to improve the functioning of
workplaces for all participants (yes, stockholders even benefit). But the
fundamental honesty of the authors leaves us wondering: is it worth it?
Fortunately, I think the answer is yes, but the authors leave us in no
doubt as to the incredible amount of work required.
The one question left hanging concerns unions, since the parallels
between many labor-management cooperation initiatives and the integration
approach are multiple (if not perfect), but unions are not mentioned.
Well, that leaves something for the next book. Incredibly well-written,
brutally honest, and extremely insightful! A must-read for academics and
practitioners alike.

Gratefully Yours is an excellent book! The author is Jane Buchanan. The author's words flow very nicely and it makes me feel like I am living the story.
This book is about an orphan. Her name is Hattie. She has no one to love. My favorite scene is when she goes on a train to see if she would get adopted. Hattie is very brave, quiet, calm, and most of all open-minded. The theme of this book is wait and see what truly is. This book is meant for someone who likes sad books but with GREAT endings! I won't tell you the ending because that is for me to know and you to find out!!!! The author writes so well. I just wanted to stay up all night to finish it. The book is good for all ages 10 and older. Once you have read this book you will truly be thankful. Hattie has been though so much but she is still holding up. The genre of this book is realistic fiction.

I loved the book! It was soooooo exciting! It is about a girl named Hattie who was an orphan and eventually got adopted by a farmer whose wife was sick. I think everyone should read this book. Some parts may be sad though.

I had to read this book for my Children's Literature class (I'm going to be an elementary teacher) and I loved it. I will definately use it in my classroom. It's a great way to introduce or review my Orphan Train unit :)

The book Gratefully Yours brings the thoughts of a stubborn New York City tenement orphan into the wide and open prairie of Nebraska. This books main character, Hattie, is charming and loving. She learns the jobs of a farm girl, and keeps her knowledge from New York. I give this book 4 stars because of a suprise ending that I didn't like, but some people might.

This is a good book about a girl who traveled on the Orphan Train. Hattie found a home with the Jensens and made friends with the cat, Cloud. But she has problems with kids who don't like orphans and some of her friends being mistreated. To find out how it ends, read the book!

This book is a must if you are studying healing touch. It has all the pictures and instructions that other workbooks have. I loved the research about HT, it makes so much sense and it is easy to understand the case studies.

I'm new at reading about energy healing modalities, so I have little to compare it to. I found this book to be a really nice book to learn more about Healing Touch and how to be a practitioner. It has some wonderful stories, some that even made me cry. I still have a long way to go to make this work for me, but it's the beginning of a new awareness in my life.

An excellent, readable, knowledgeable text book that will be referred to again and again. It contains so much information, and is indexed accurately so that you can find the relevant answers quickly. Diagrams are informative and useful.
To me this book is recommended for those already practicing H.T., or for those interested in gaining insight into Healing Touch with a view to entering the H.T. program. The Healing Touch program encourages people to participate in continued, life-long learning, and this book is a valuable resource.

This book is so full of great information that it is a definite keeper in my reference library. After only 1/3 of the way though, I've gotten my money's worth!

No need for 1,000 more words. The above says it all. I loaned my copy to a client, forgot which one, and now must buy another. Can't practice without it.

I've read this book twice and have given it as gifts to new pastors' wives. The author is very transparent and generous in sharing difficulties she's faced in ministry. Gives a lot of hope and encouragement for those in ministry.

"Even in those cheerless time which will come, we can affirm that they are neither the terminus nor the norm of experience. Instead, they are points of growth from which can emerge a clearer vision of how to reflect the splendor of God and the joys of personal relationships. God means for us to finish strong."

This quote is from the introduction to Gail MacDonald's book-High Call, High Privilege: A Pastor's Wife Speaks to Every Woman in a Place of Responsibility. I like this quote because "finishing strong" is something that I think about and pray for often. At the end of Paul's life he writes to Timothy,

"I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith."
(2 Timothy 4:7)

I remember reading this verse in a Bible class my first year of college and being inspired by Paul's confidence. I talked about it with my professor after class because I was baffled that Paul could say "I have," I asked my professor if that was a little arrogant and assumptive of Paul. At the time I thought most people should say it this way, "I've tried to fight the good fight, I've finished as much of the race as I could, I've done my best to keep the faith." The professor explained to me that through God's power, Paul was able to accomplish all that the Lord had called him to do in this life. God had saved Paul and then had completed the good work He had started in him. He said, "God can do this work in your life too, so that one day you could say these things with confidence."

High Call, High Privilege is a testimonial/autobiography of MacDonald's journey through life in church ministry. Her statement "God means for us to finish strong" is a theme that stood out to me throughout the book. Even when she faced disappointment, testing, pain and brokenness, she viewed them as "points of growth" in her walk with the Lord and was able to find joy in them. Her story was a huge inspiration to me of an example of a supportive wife, loving mother, and gentle and nurturing friend to all around her.

This book is brimming with practical lessons. As I read it I began to put in to practice some of MacDonald's disciplines that have shaped her life and ministry. MacDonald writes in such a personal way-weaving Biblical thought throughout her story-I began to think of her as a mentor to me. Some of things the Lord taught her were so encouraging-

Tend The Fire Within

In the first chapter MacDonald presents this concept of "time at the fire." She tells a story that as a new Christian, she heard an old missionary speak and he said, "Untended fires soon die and become just a pile of ashes." He said that the fire burns in the heart of the one who follows Christ and this flame cannot go unmanaged or it will dwindle into ashes.

MacDonald writes:

"My life was altered by that simple statement...It all begins with the fire within and your heart attitude. Tending the fire within is another way of talking about being open to the presence of Christ. It is what makes me long for his likeness, offers direction and stability, established proper motives and responses. Here is is that the real issues of the Christian faith are thought out and pressed into action." (p. 2)

I really liked this analogy of my relationship with Christ as a fire. John gives us an account of Christ with His disciples that made this concept poignant for me. In John 21 Christ is risen and the disciples see Him and make their way to shore. When they get there He is sitting with a fire and breakfast. This idea of us meeting Jesus at the "fire" to eat and learn is profound. Spending time in prayer with the Lord, studying His Word is vital and this is where life starts. Until this is understood and actualized all we are doing is in vain.

MacDonald closes her thoughts on this concept by writing:

"It takes time to come to the fire, it takes effort to keep the fire burning, it takes a willingness to become quiet enough to hear what God might be saying and it takes courage to snuff out the competing sounds and demands that attempt to shorten or neutralize the effect of the fire time.

But here is the great choice that must be made virtually everyday. Do I give priority attention to tending the fire within, or do I surrender to the alternatives of busyness, hurry, people pleasing, or the seemingly urgent that slowly starves my spirit and my resolve to be the woman God wants me to be? If that fire burns brightly, I share the experience of the disciples; of it dwindles unattended, I am gradually surrounded by a chill marking the onset of weakness and confusion." (p. 5)

Be Hospitable

Romans 12:13 commands believers to "practice hospitality." Hospitality is a spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:9) and one I have seen the Lord develop in my own life. I really gleaned from MacDonald's thoughts on this-

"We decided to use our home as a tool...Gordon and I wanted to know people better and to serve them. We were hoping that people would be drawn to one another as a result of being in our home. Those nights added a warmth and an acceptance in many people's hears that would not have happened had we not developed such close contact."

What a beautiful lesson. This so resounded with me, that I immediately talked with my husband about making our home open to people so that we can know and serve them. I desire those same things MacDonald shares for my home. Too often we feel disconnected and distant from people in our church bodies, even friends, because we allow ourselves to become too busy and closed to be bothered with having to straighten up the house and fix a nice meal. I hope this is something the Lord will continue to work out in our lives as we make ourselves more open to people by being hospitable to them!

What is your sermon?

If you are a wife of a husband who teaches, you know the rigors that a pastor puts into his sermon. Each week I try to devote myself to helping Bobby prepare his sermon. That doesn't mean I'm sitting with him going over Greek verbs and Bible commentaries. But I try to do what it takes to help him prepare a sermon that will be a tool in God's hand to work in the lives of our students. MacDonald writes about supporting her husband in this way and shares about an insight her husband had about her asking,

"What is Gail's sermon? It's the home she prepares for the children and me. Gail preached her sermon when she cooked a meal...kept the house neat, and planted flowers in the front yard."

I really related to this concept of a "home" sermon. MacDonald writes about how her husband wanted to hear and enjoy the "sermons" in her life. This point was particularly motivating for me because I asked myself, "Do I give myself rigorously and carefully to what God has called me to do?" God has called my husband to preach sermons. He has called me to do something for Him. Am I working diligently to deliver those "sermons" in my life?

I have benefited from numerous other lessons from this book. MacDonald writes about marriage, children, relating better with people, being a godly friend. If you read this book, do so with discernment, as you should respond to everything. Some of her conclusions I did not share-she writes a lot about the temperaments. In chapter ten she reveals a dark time in her life when she struggled through the pain of her husband having committed adultery. For a couple of weeks I couldn't finish reading because I had come to respect this couple so much and then was bulldozed by the grueling reality that this pastor and husband had not kept his calling. I was very disappointed, not by the fact of sin, but that the two of them kept this secret for a time while he still held the position he was no longer qualified to hold. Later they even returned to the position of pastor, so the book's end was not as high as it started.

I would recommend this to any woman who's life is devoted to ministry, not just a pastor's wife. I was sharpened and encouraged by MacDonald's journey and I hope that someday I will be able to look back over so many years and see God's hand at work in my life and our ministry.

This book was very encouraging to me because I felt that the author was my own mentor, as I am preparing to be a pastor's wife. She shared so many personal life expereinces, which I can tell will be relevant in my own life. I am thankful for her incredible encouragement to women and the transparency of her spiritual walk. This book will encourage you too!!

Even for someone not in full-time ministry this book really shows an example of what one could face when you committ your life to God's work. I would recommend it anyone either in ministry or considering it. And though it's for women, any man, either married or engaged to a woman who will be involved in ministry would find it useful to see what she will be dealing with.

This book is thought provoking, encouraging, and convicting. I was changed in the reading of it. Buy it, read it, again and again.

Move Over Alice by Margo Hill sparkles with laughter! This hilarious depiction of life under a "micromanaging superviser" is mnd-boggling if you have ever worked under such conditions. But, for anyone who has found himself or herself in such a "rabbit hole", this is sure to put a BIG smile on your face, even in your sleep! Give us more, Margo!

As a teacher of many years, I found this book to be right on target in its description of the Big Brother control that has taken over our public school system - from principals that treat their teachers as knowing nothing, to superintendents that let it happen, to state and federal governments who let poeple with little or no education experience control the curriculumn and destinies of students throughout the nation. I think this should be required reading for all teacher education programs and for all those in government.

Wow...what a fun read! This hard to put down book will keep all who indulge in a great mood. It's a light-hearted story for all who are married, parents, dreamers and kids who are trapped in a grown-ups body.

Margo's view of life, work and people are wonderfully blend together with just the right amount of sarcasm and humor that makes you want more!

Well done...very well done!

A comical look at the sad state our schools are in-The Good, the bad, and the ugly of being inside the walls of an elementary school. Take a genuine and brilliant teacher, add a self serving and deceiving boss, throw in a few neurotic parents and their kids and presto- You have what really goes on in schools all over our nation. Does your boss take all the credit(&glory) for the great work you do? if so.. read the book. This story is for parents, teachers, bosses, and any breathing human being who is interested in the human side of reality. The best book I have read in many years!

This novel is one of the funniest books I have ever read. It is perfect for any demographic, everyone will find something to love in this hilarious account of the backstage actions of your local elementary school. The story is entertaining and very well written- you won't be able to put this book down!

This book is a tremendous help to Pastor's wives! Practical, scriptural, and encouraging -- I've purchased many copies and given them as gifts to other ministry wives.

This book was truly written by a lady who has "been there - done that". I also am married to a pastor and I couldn't have said it better than her. She covered all the bases and did it with scripture and personal experience. I can highly recommend this book!

One with a Shepherd: The Tears and Triumphs of a Ministry Marriage by Mary Somerville is one of the more helpful books on what it means to be the wife of a man in ministry. Coming from an evangelical and conservative Christian perspective Mrs. Somerville speaks directly and honestly about life in the parsonage, vicarage or manse. Having been in this place myself I have been encouraged by reading this book and I use it when working with wives of men in seminary as well as wives of men in their first full-time church setting. No book is perfect but of the hundreds out there, many of which I have read or skimmed addressing this topic I would highly recommend this book. A great companion read would be Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome

Excellent, insightful....the best book for christian women written!

If you are considering a life of ministry, or if you are married to a pastor and would like to have ready access to the wisdom of a woman who has spent many years in ministry, Mary Somerville's book, One with a Shepherd: The Tears and Triumphs of a Ministry Wife, is a very helpful and encouraging work. The 304 pages that make it up are worth their weight in gold. She has served as a pastor's wife for over three decades. Her and her husband, Bob, have led two churches, one in New Jersey, the other in California.

Covering just about every major aspect of ministry, One with a Shepherd is broken up into sixteen chapters, along with four appendices. Toward the end the author provides a valuable reading list on "Spiritual Growth," "Marriage," "Childrearing," "Home Management," "Discipling/Counseling," and every list is filled with very trustworthy authors. Mary writes on such subjects as the importance for pastors' wives to understand their role in ministry (Chapter 1), coping with loneliness (Chapter 6), how to deal with rebellious children (Chapter 10), and the importance of discipling other women (Chapter 14).

One of the topics that grabbed my attention most was what she wrote about pastors' wives defining their role in the church, so as not to fall into the trap of having to live up to the unbiblical expectations of others (a notorious problem in churches). For example, she writes, "If you want to be free from the burden of false guilt, you should first determine if you have yielded to non-biblical expectations." And further, "Realize too that we do not answer to everyone else; we answer to God alone for our actions...This means turning a deaf ear to the complaints and criticisms that are ungrounded" (p. 3). Another area Mary deals with that caught my attention is an issue that is seldom treated in books on ministry: the pain inflicted by members of the church. She says: "We suffer from people deserting us by changing churches. At other times they hurt us by staying in the church and attacking us with criticism, complaints, and gossip. Finally they may completely reject our ministry and us. We are tempted to give up in despair, but God actually wants to use these hurts that people inflict to strengthen us" (p. 64).

The wisdom, insight, and experience of the author make this a valuable resource for any pastor's wife, and any woman whose husband is preparing for ministry. Discussing the trials and tribulations of leading a church while in seminary would have better prepared me for ministry. And my wife would have been better prepared for our work if she'd had a book like this early on. This really is a tremendous work. Every pastor's wife--and every woman who is planning on becoming a pastor's wife--should read it. While many people may want to write a book, there are some that can only be written through experience. This is that type of book. Mary Somerville has so much to offer that any reader can quickly tell she is not simply passing on information, but passing on her life experiences, those that are common to the wife of any pastor. I wish there was a similar work for pastors. - Ray Hammond, Christian Book Previews.com

This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in cultural resouces! As a social worker, I have found this book to be exteremely helpful for families and children. I highly recommend it!

This book is amazing! It has so much information. I have not been able to find so much information in one spot until I picked up this book. I particularly like the sites with Afrocentric children's games, online activities and books. But there is so much more than that. Parents: buy this book now! It is a worthwhile investment.

After reading this book, I was thrilled! There is so much useful information in it. No matter if you use the Internet sporadically or if you peruse the Net everyday, all day like I do, then there is something for you.
This book is simply a condensed and Black parenting specific search engine compiled into book form. No longer do parents have to be bothered with tooling around search engines, when most likely the results will be scant. Stacey Montgomery has done all of the work for you and keeps an updated list of Black parenting web resources on her website. A must buy for Black parents looking for Black parenting websites!

Stacey Montgomery has done a phenomenal job compiling about 375 web sites -- designed for the Black family -- into one resource. Her book is truly a "one-stop" shopping of information that is divided into 20 categories. There's something for everyone in this book.

For the regular Internet user such as myself -- who stays on the lookout for unique educational products for my family -- Montgomery's book is hard to put down. However, for those persons who surf the Internet very little or not at all, "Black Families Online" is still a powerful resource to have nearby because of its good-to-know information.

Thanks to this book, I have already begun compiling a list of my own of places to shop on the web for Christmas items and such. In "Black Families Online" I've come across web sites that I never knew existed that offer products that I never knew existed........a Multiplication Hip Hop CD and puzzles and interesting games that teach Black history, just to name a few.

In addition to providing an annotated list of web sites, Montgomery has added some nice additional touches, too. Quotes throughout the book from web site owners and parents answering the question, "Why go online?" or stating "Why my business is online" are also fun to read.

This book is a masterpiece. Montgomery should be proud of what obviously took a lot of time and effort.

Many thanks to her for a resource that has truly enriched my life. When not in my hands, this book is sure to stay close to my computer. I know I'll be using it often!!!

I think one of the best things about this book is that it is very encouraging to the patient. Not only is there hope for surviving cancer, but there are also reassuring words for those who face death after alternative therapies have failed. The author also discusses the impact of the patient's emotional life on getting & healing cancer.

This book is a current, objective, and informative source of information on conventional and alternative cancer treatment. I came across this book as my sister and I desperatly tried to find helpful information about treating cancer. This book impressed me as being the perfect book for anyone who is suddenly confronted with the disease for the first time and needs to get informed. They couldn't have picked a more fitting title.

In my opinion, a combo approach is the best bet at increasing your survival if you have been diagnosed with cancer. The information given here gives you a number of ways you can go about getting that combination therapy. When family members were researching alternative treatments for my grandmother's cancer, we explored this book along with a number of others. This one gave some good information that wasn't presented in other books. We also found a site, iHerb, that offered a variety of cancer fighting supplements along with additional documentation of their abilities. iHerb is a good source if you are seeking the alternatives Bognar mentions in this book.

David Bogner (and Walter Cronkite in the accompanying 4 hr. PBS videotape special) present a balanced introduction that allows someone recently diagnosed with cancer to get an overview of their treatment options. Without favoring a single approach, Bogner covers conventioal treatments, alternative treatments, psychoimmunity and spiritual approaches. Each of these sections presents a wealth of references where additional information can be obtained. Bogner points out that cancer and its course is a very individual matter and that those who do best are often those most informed about their options. Rather than advocating a particular approach, Bogner suggests that different approaches work best together. The book contains all the information presented in the video tape and then some, but the video tapes done by Walter Cronkite are very warm and reassuring. When Bogner's wife got cancer it took him some time to learn about the options. He wrote this book and produced the PBS special so that others faced with cancer could obtain this information more quickly and easily. He has succeeded in providing an excellent generic overview of treatment options. I can't think of a better, non-partisan basic source of information on cancer treatment than this very inexpensive book. It will not give you all the details about your type of cancer, but it will show you in broad outline the various approaches that are available and where to get more information on them.

This is a great resource guide. I took the class and for me it's a great refresher.

I think this book gives a lot of great ideas on how to handle discipline with your students or children. It gives solid, real-life examples and gives you a chance to test yourself. Forget Supernanny - try this book!

Wow. This is what I've been looking for. As Love and Logic teaches, I don't have to have instant consequences for students' behavior. In fact, allowing children to think more about their behavior gives me time to look up what Love and Logic recommends.

Not sure what the other reader was talking about. I am an agnostic so I am pretty aware when people try and slip God in to the equation. I was also a teacher. Not only does Love and Logic work in the classroom but it does amazing things with my kids. I have 2 toddlers and I think the Love and Logic books and videos are an indespensible resource. It seems to me that the previous reviewer was just looking for a forum to rant about something totally unrelated to these books. He also wasn't reviewing this book - I guess some people will actually mislead people to try and get their voice heard. Charles Fay and Foster Cline (founders of Love and Logic) are from Evergreen, Colorado - not Colorado Springs and have nothing to do with the whole "family first" thing. There is no affiliation whatsoever. Again, not sure what the other reviewer was talking about - but it is a shame that he may turn people away from a resource that is the most effective tool I have come across to raise children who are responsible, able to make choices effectively, have great self-esteem, and to avoid all the arguments and power struggles that come with parenting.

This book was more complete from beginning to end that I could have ever imagined. Everything from how to pick out the ring (the diamond guide was excellent), to planning the honeymoon on a budget. A must read for anyone planning a wedding! Geared towards a reader of either sex. Very professionally written and highly recommended!

This is a very comprehensive resource. There is very little info on destination weddings (1-2 pages). If you like to do your own web research you will probably have come across most the info this book provides. But over all, really thorough book.

As an engaged couple who don't have a lot of time nor that much interest in reading too many wedding books, this was a great resource for us! There's no filler in here, every page is jammed packed with practical information and tips. It is straight to the point, offers useful advice and the writing is easy/fun to read. I don't have to read it in chronological order, just skip to the section that you need depending on where you are in the planning process. And it fits perfectly in my bag (even the size/shape of the book is practical)when we go to appointments. I highly recommend this book.

e-Plan Your Wedding: How To Save Time And Money With Today's Best Online Resources by Crystal and Jason Melendez is a creatively practical and innovative guide to finding and securing an inexpensive yet fulfilling wedding ceremony and reception by way of the internet. As the internet continues to mature and expand, ordinary people find more and more of what they wish to accomplish or research can be quickly done on-line -- something past generations never had, and e-Plan Your Wedding is the ultimate "user-friendly" reference for swift and tactful preparation of the big matrimonial day. e-Plan Your Wedding is very strongly recommended instructional resource for wedding planners, especially for aspiring newlyweds anticipating their own do-it-yourself, cost-efficient, wedding planning.