Kids in Training E-book Review & Giveaway
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. To learn more about ’em, click here.
When my oldest (who is now twelve years old) was just a toddler, I remember experiencing an epiphany one day when I realized that at three or four years old, she was capable of much more than I had given her credit for. I started teaching her small tasks like where to put the soap and what buttons to push to start the dishwasher, or how to fold a pair of socks. They were simple chores that she mastered easily, and she was so proud of helping Mommy. She would tell my “mom” friends at church and play-dates about all her chores, and they would look at me like I was crazy. Ha! Truth be told, I had discovered the importance of starting young when teaching your children important life skills, and I had realized that our family ran much more smoothly when everyone pitched in.
Over the years, I’ll admit that I’ve become much more relaxed and less passionate about making sure my children learn independence, partly from getting older and partly from getting busier with four children in our family now. That’s why I jumped at the chance to check out Rebecca Dulgarian’s (of Blue Cricket Designs) brand-new parenting e-book Kids in Training. This AMAZING mom and blogger has put together a 52-page book all about training your children in life skills that will help them become healthy and thriving adults. It’s a fairly short read, and I devoured the book in only two sittings. I possibly could have read it in one sitting, but the kiddos kept interrupting. 🙂
As a experienced mother of four, I knew I wouldn’t find many parenting concepts in the book that were new to me, but I knew that I needed the reminder, and I was blown away by the creative solutions and ideas I found! The book is divided into ten chapters. Each chapter focuses on an area that children need instruction and training in, everything from etiquette and manners to household chores like the laundry.
I was reminded that my children need a reminder lesson in phone etiquette, and that they would also benefit from lessons in household maintenance like how to change a light bulb or air filter. This book really put a fire under my wings, and my kids have been a little taken aback by Mommy’s new plan of action around the house. So as not to overwhelm them or me, I have decided to tackle one chapter at a time. The mission this past week or so? Keeping their rooms clean. In Kids in Training, she lays out a points system that allows children to earn privileges or items that are valuable to them, all why learning the importance of tidying their rooms on a daily basis. I took this organized and easy-to-use plan and created each of my children a sticker chart. One sticker equals one day of a clean room. And just like Rebecca says in her book, I will not hesitate to mark through a square if they do not hold up their end of the bargain, because being consistent in the consequences is key!
Kids in Training is super easy to understand and the tips are simple to implement with any family. Each chapter covers one main area of training, complete with an explanation of the importance of that particular area, a solution, and creative ideas. I also love that each chapter ends with a short list of correlating tips. It’s a nice re-cap of the chapter topic. Kids in Training is a steal at only $7.95!
Click below to order your copy of “Kids in Training” for $7.95!
*Thank you to Blue Cricket Designs for providing the e-books for review and giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own.*
* * * * * * * * *
WANNA WIN???
TEN lucky readers will win a copy of the “Kids in Training” e-book! Did you see that?! TEN WINNERS! Enter this giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck to you!!
We love your comments
Working as a team is where we really struggle. Would love this book!
My daughter is only 26 months, but there are many times I’m surprised at what she can do, and I wonder if I’m not challenging her enough. This book would really come in handy!
My house could definitely revisit some of these topics! Hope to read soon!
Wendy
I must say, I could use some improvement in every area.
Thank you for hosting! I would really like to win this!
Sorry- I commented before I clicked the button and didn’t see the question. I think that serving others is something we struggle with. More specifically, serving each other within our family. My kids are really great most of the time…. but serving each other is probably what causes the most arguments.
OH I just love this idea – my kids go to Montessori school so ‘everyday living’ concepts are part of thier daily life, but any more ideas are so welcome! thanks!
Keeping the kids room clean is something that I could use some ideas on.
This new mom would LOVE this book!
I have 3 kids under 4, so we’re just getting started on this journey, but my oldest is already starting to be very helpful. I find that often, I need the reminders to have him help more than he needs to be reminded to help!
With a 17 month old we haven’t really gotten far to these concepts but we are starting to work on manners right now and would love advice for all the other areas
I could definitely use this book. Like numerous other families, we are constantly on the go and I struggle daily with getting my children to help around the house. This could definitely improve the moods around our house! 🙂
Communicating and serving
I totally need this definitely. I struggle with money with my son. Trying to get him to understand the importance of saving.
I just became a parent and I need all the help I can get! I am so excited about this book!
I would love any help I can get with having 5 boys!! It’s not easy! Being a divorced mom and working full time and trying to keep up on things is very difficult.
looks like lots of good info that would be oh so helpful!
Would love some pointers and help. I have 4 kids that keep me rolling..
I could totally use this ebook to help with my 4.5 year old and get me prepared for my 5month old
A clean and orderly room for sure, but really all of them!
This looks like a neat book!! Would love to check it out!!
I would like help with getting my kids to follow directions the first time and with them be appreciative and serving others!
I struggle most with modeling it all and including them.
I struggle with communication and getting my son to understand that with his help on chores he could do that we would have more time for fun in the long run.
Teaching my kids to serve and think of others is something I’m working on. Would love some fresh ideas!
We have trouble working as a team. Hubby is gone during the week and the kids and I are still working on how to work together to keep things smooth.
The struggle I have is keeping rooms clean and orderly.
Working as a team, I usually finally it easier to do it myself.
I have two little boys. We all need help in alot of these areas specifically clean room, laundry and communication. They are still little and love to help do everything. I am hoping to have to patience and allow them to help with what they can so as they grow up they will be hard workers! Thank you for the opportunity!
We really need to work on communication around here. I find myself saying “use words, please” more than anything else during the day.
We probably struggle most with keeping their own rooms clean and orderly, I’m not the best at going in and checking all the time so sometimes I find they tell me it’s clean when there’s still lots of stuff on top of shelves and desks.
I could really use this. I hope I win! 🙂
sound like a fantastic book. would love to read this
Have been trying to figure out how to do this for a while now. Could really use some more tips and tricks because maybe I just haven’t found the right set for my kids.
This sounds like a great book for my 3 kids under 4, especially the chapter on Serving Others. Thanks!
I think I struggle the most with communication and could definitely use this to help my kids. Thanks for the chance to win!
My daughter is only 1 but I struggle with saving money and being frugal. I’d love to be able to teach her how to be smart with her money and not follow in my footsteps in that department.
I could really use this book. I have three girl, ages 7, 6 and 3. We really struggle with manners and keeping their rooms clean, but I could learn a lot from all of the chapters in the book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Ooooh, as we’re expecting our first child now and I have no idea what I’m doing, this would be great! Really interested in advice for parenting happy, productive kids. Thanks for the chance. 🙂
I’ve got a 1 1/2 hr old and I’m sure I could learn a few good ideas from this ebook Thanks for the giveaway!
I have the hardest time with getting my children to understand the importance of serving others and treating others how you want to be treated. And unfortunately, this is mostly in our own home! How can they be respectful to strangers but not each other?! I’d love a chance to read this book and see what I could be doing wrong.
And thank you for your wonderful tips as well:)
This might be helpful in the classroom too. Or maybe I just need to recommend it to some of my parents.
Have a kindergarten and preschooler I would like to teach all those things esp. good manners and serving others
I don’t have kids yet, but i would love to get a head start on learning about training them to be independent! 🙂
I need so much help teaching my three year old to clean his room. With all those toys he just gets distracted.
I have 3 kids and I think communication is where we really struggle. Although I could really use some help teaching them manners too!
I’ve got an 8 month old now, so I’m very interested in learning more about starting early to establish good habits for her.
I could really REALLY use this book! I have three girls, and all are primed and ready for more responsibility in the home (6, 4.5, and 3). We could use a refresher in good manners, as well as keeping a home, and keeping their shared room clean. Oy.
I could use some serious help with good manners! Sigh….
Mine is keeping a room clean!
I so need this book! I have a 10yr old and a 7yr old that really struggle with keeping a room clean. They can pick up their rooms and the rest of the house with my guidance and even love to help with cleaning bathrooms, laundry, yard work and dishes; all of that with my guidance though. I would love to be able to say “go clean your room” and just see it done! How do you teach independance??
I can’t wait to read it and learn from it.
We give our children a fair share of chores, but being consistent in the life of a busy family is where we struggle most.
This would be so awesome!
The area I struggle with the most is keeping a room clean and orderly. I have two teenagers :/
Those are some great ideas as I have been trying to figure out how to get my daughter to do some of this things.
As a teacher (6th grade), I find that a lot of my students lack these basic skills. They seriously lack in the responsibility and problem-solving areas. I really think it’s because parents make excuses for their little ones and don’t teach those skills through chores and helping around the house. My kids are only 1 1/2 and 3 months, but I would love the chance to learn new ways to get them involved at home as they get older. Thanks!
I would say teaching my kids how to “communicate with each other.”
I need help with all of the areas in this book with my two crazy little boys!
Wow, this book is hitting on something’s I’ve overlooked for our 10 and 12 yr olds! Could always use advice to raising responsible young ladies!
We are in the why stage? Would sure love some ripe to teach responsibility and to try o help my son understand why mommy and daddy has to fulfill their own responsibilities.
I could definitely use a little assistance with training… 🙂
I love this! I have a 6 year old who is trying to be more self sufficient than I know how to let him be.
With 3 boys I could really use some help around the house! This would be perfect to start adding little things to their chores. I LOVE it!
With our oldest on the cusp of tennager-dom I would say respect is quickly turning into one of our biggest problems. It certainly doesn’t help that my mother-in-law undermines us every time I turn around 🙁
I’m going to say most of it as I tend to not teach very well, is rather just do it! But especially the handy part because I’m not! (That’s what my husband is for!) 😉
I could use some ideas of how to get my 3.5 year old involved in household chores. I’m sure there are a great many more things I could learn from this book!
I don’t have kids yet, so I’m adding this book to my list for the future! Thanks Angie! xox
Finally! A user manual for kids! 😉 Well, kind of, at least. I would LOVE this! I’m a stay at home mom, and because of that, I end up doing a lot for my girls (I have twin girls who just turned 6) as opposed to teaching them how to do it for themselves. I would say (right now) I’m struggling the most with getting them to keep their playroom and bedroom clean.