Back to Basics: 101 Ideas for Strengthening Our Children & Our Families

There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. ~Freya Stark Brook Noel has created a Family 101 manual that reads more like an enjoyable idea book. Throughout her writing she shows a talent for selecting the important priorities in family life. Many of the idea present new opportunities for growth, like her idea about a gratitude journal. She delves into interesting ideas about why we should laugh more to combat negative feelings and improve our health. I loved her story about her daughter and the "I love you" story. She also presents important information about brain development in the first three years of life. Other helpful topics: Eliminate Morning Madness Sanity Saving Family Meetings Chore and Reward Systems Back to Basics is the perfect book for new parents or for anyone who is trying to heal their family and solve some of the main problems that occur in daily life. ~The Rebecca Review

Back to Basics addresses a core problem in America, the disintegration of the family unit. As a father and husband, I have been frustrated at the difficulty of maintaining strong family values, relationships and interaction. Our society doesn't place high emphasis on fixing family unit problems rather it spends a tremendous amount of time treating the symptons - higher crime, delinquency, higher divorce rates and more time with therapists. If we fix the core family and it's value systems - a lot of the other problems are diminished. Hat's off to Brook for creating a book that addresses a fundamental issue in america today.

I saw the author speak in Vancouver, Washington where she gave the keynote address at a local parenting conference. She was down-to-earth, friendly, and very encouraging. I'm glad I read her book. The book's introduction "Cherish Your Wood Chips" is a classic, insightful look into the priorities of a loving parent's heart -- and probably well worth the cover price of the book just for the thoughtful message of the intro.

When I think about violence among teens and the utterly essential role that parents play in raising children, I wonder what specific steps we can take to do a better job, and to live more humanely. I've never found a book with practical answers -- until now, that is. Brook Noel should run for President. Her heart is in the right place, her excellent writing comes from that wonderful place, and her practical steps for how America can get back to basics make total sense.How can we improve our lives and give more to our children? The policy wonks wonder and scratch around. Noel has figured it out. If you want to improve your own life and add heaps of love to your family life -- in short, if you want to get your priorities straight -- read this book.

This is one of those great books that you don't have to find large chunks of time for reading to benefit from.... Written in short, easy-to-digest bites, I found it very helpful. Ideas for strengthening relationships; tips for discipline, limits and boundaries; home management suggestions; effective communication techniques; and creative ideas for family "together time". I recommend this book to anyone with children, especially busy moms (and dads) looking for simple ways to bring sanity into their family's crazy schedules.