Slow Family Living: A Book Review

Dave and I have a difference of opinion when it comes to relaxing. He likes to nap or watch a sports game. I don't like napping and I'm not very good at not doing anything. I panic. I look around and see all the dog hair on the carpet. My knitting needles call to me. I even start to feel sorry for the dogs and think about being dragged down the sidewalk, I mean, take them for a walk. That's how desperate I get. Although it sounds counterintuitive, being productive is relaxing for me.

So I'm sure Dave was excited when I brought home Slow Family Living: 75 Simple Ways to Slow Down, Connect, and Create More Joy by Bernadette Noll. There are so many great ideas in this book for how to step out of the daily (monthly, yearly) grind and be intentional about connecting and enjoying your family. Noll includes everything from setting up a tent in the backyard to cleaning blitzes to throwing the rules out the window and letting the kids stay up as late as they want. In our world of Instagram, Texting, Twitter, Facebook, Wii, etc, we could use a little slowing down, looking our family members in eyes, and doing something together. With 75 different ideas, everyone is sure to find at least a few that they could incorporate into their lives.

Unfortunately for Dave, the book didn't change my dislike for naps, but it did make me think about having a dance party in the living room.