Thou Shalt Not Whine: The Eleventh Commandment; What We Whine About, Why We Do It and How to Stop

If you're a parent with kids who know at least two words, you hate whining. It was absolutely amazing how the kids could push all my buttons with that simple act. But now, it seems like nearly all of society has picked up on whining as being the preferred form of communication these days. January Jones takes a humorous look at this phenomenon in her book Thou Shalt Not Whine: The Eleventh Commandment: What We Whine About, Why We Do It and How to Stop. Along with pointing out the most common whiners and their offenses, she also offers up ways to stop the whiner in their tracks... even if the whiner is you. Contents: Introductory Lesson: Flying without Whining Top Ten Whines From: Children Teenagers Parents Couples Singles Baby Boomers Seniors Women Men Best Friends Grandparents Post Script: Win, Don't Whine Appendix: Woe Is Me - I'm a Celebrity About The Author Acknowledgments MORE Thou Shalt Not Whine - Submit Your Own Whining Data I'm guessing you'll find a match or two in the table of contents list... :) Each of the chapters starts out with a brief description of the target audience, along with where the whining tends to be focused for them. Then you get the top ten list of whines. Let's take couples for example... The top ten are money, jobs, each other (stage 1), each other (stage 2), in-laws, sharing chores, entertaining, lack of romance, closet space, and pillows. For each of those whines, you get a couple examples ("your stuff's on my side" and "how many shoes do you need?") along with why this whine happens and how to cure it. Since I picked on closets here, the "why" is that there is no closet that can blissfully accommodate both a man and a woman. It's been like that since Adam and Eve. No matter how much room she has, she'll need more. The cure is to try for separate closets if the room will accommodate it. If not, then try to use the closet at separate times so you don't have to listen to the other person whine. She hands out this advice with a VERY large helping of humor and sarcasm, which helps to lighten the tone and the tension if this is something you're seriously trying to deal with. I had a lot of fun reading Thou Shalt Not Whine. Even though much of it is meant to be laughed at, I was still surprised as how much whining has gotten to be part and parcel of our daily communication. If awareness is the first step towards dealing with a problem, Whine is most assuredly the first (humorous) step in that journey.

This lighthearted look at whining and the cure(s) for it, is my idea of a terrific bathroom book! Let me explain. A bathroom book is one that I pick up and put down on a daily basis while I'm in a fixed seated position. (I'm trying to be delicate, here.) Each whine is discussed and the cure for it is offered within one page. Therefore, one page could be read, and the book put down, or if you have more time, you could read on. Each whine is placed into one of the top ten categories. Some are serious whines with serious suggestions, while others are quite funny. To paraphrase, when a child whines "He's still looking at me" make them both wear sunglasses. I chuckled as I read this one. Who knows? It could work. There are definitions when needed: "Mother-in-law: A woman who destroys her son- and daughter-in-law's peace of mind by giving them a piece of hers." Amusing celebrity quotes are included. I like books that give me cause to chuckle.

to read this book and not be able to see yourself, friends and family in every page! Ms Jones has a knack for seeing the humor in just about anything. It was a great easy read.

Copies of "Thou Shalt Not Whine" should be in every dentists office, doctors office, psychotherapists lounge, airport book stores, and on my mother-in-laws coffee table. There is something anyone and everyone can relate to in January Jones's terrific work. The humor shines through, yet it comes with a meaningful message of reality. Our whining is counterproductive and when we learn to adopt the alternative optimistic responses, Mrs. Jones provides, to our various circumstances we can realize the rewards of being a winner. This is exactly what I felt January was telling me in a fun way as I read The Eleventh Commandment. Further more I better understand my parent's occasional use of one of the most effective cures "ris-paa-rumpen" when I had a tendency to whine as a youngster. This is an especially good read for those of us in the Muck Fichigan fan club.

This book was an extremely entertaining read. There is something in it for everyone, I saw myself, my friends, my family, my co-workers, and my patients. It would be a great gift for absolutely anyone.