Mom-In-Chief: How Wisdom from the Workplace Can Save Your Family from Chaos

I thoroughly enjoyed Mom in Chief - it was a great reminder to keep the big picture in mind around parenting goals. I was motivated to initiate a discussion with my kids about chores, and what's working/what's not. We created a new chore list and a new system that we're going to try for the next 3 weeks and then discuss and refine. My son said this morning that he liked the new system. And I certainly liked going to take a shower instead of hanging around, nagging them to get their lunch packed, and teeth brushed. I especially appreciated the author's willingness to own up to her own mistakes in the book. I think that's unusual in a guide-type book, where the author is always telling you what to do, and not really sharing their own shortcomings. It made me feel more motivated to take some chances myself.

I found Woolf's book to be filled with easy to understand, and more importantly, easy to apply strategies to keep my household sane. Next time you want to pick up a frying pan or punch a hole in the fridge, pick this up instead. If I adhere to the strategies she outlines, I'm pretty sure my kids will turn into better, more useful adults too. Not bad for 25 bucks.

I have read many parenting books before which haven't helped me at all but this one is different. It is well written, includes many illustrative stories, but most importantly, offers straightforward strategies that are easy to bring into my home. One point the author made, that we as parents need to keep in mind the bigger picture, our core values, what our bigger purpose/mission is and bring these into our discussions with our kids. This simple point has already helped diffuse a potential struggle with my daughter. Buy this one--its different than all the others!

Jamie Woolf's book does a brilliant job of culling lessons from working life for use in family life, but you don't have to have a family to benefit from her advice. A fun and useful read, Mom-in-Chief provides a unique and long over-due perspective on the connections between work and family.