Description

by Debbie Bowen

Topics: W.O.R.K., Children, Responsible Kids, Decide, Divide, Deliberate, Demonstrated, Discipline, Determination, Age-appropriate tasks, Family councils, Planning, Doing a good job, Emergencies

With ten children, Debbie Bowen quickly learned the advantages of actively involving all the kids in the family’s daily routines. Delegation has been a key part of the Bowen family’s efforts to maintain an organized, happy home and a key to their success. In this delightful book, she explains the formulas and techniques she’s discovered, and she shows that W.O.R.K. truly provides Wonderful Opportunities for Raising Responsible Kids. Bringing her personal experiences and reminiscences to the book, Debbie has created an enjoyable as well as educational read. She emphasizes the close relationships fostered as the entire family works together cleaning the kitchen, caring for the garden, and completing other duties to beautify the home, though she forthrightly acknowledges that there is no such thing as untroubled waters.

Family councils and planning are stressed, as are effective delegation techniques: give the children age-appropriate tasks; let them have a say when determining their responsibilities; and train them by teaching them the what’s, how’s, and why’s of doing a good job. If the children laugh and chat while they work, that is so much for the better. Debbie and her husband Bruce hold the children accountable for their actions, good and bad. They make sure to praise them for a job well done; and when needed, punishment is swift, yet fitting. She emphasizes the six D’s of delegation: Decide, Divide, Deliberate, Demonstrated, Discipline, and Determination, and explains each one in detail. Emergencies are rare, but they do happen, and changing circumstances sometimes require a change of plans. Debbie has found that when the unexpected does happen, if parents are fair, patient, flexible, and consistent, their children usually are willing to lend a hand to help things run smoothly.

In today’s world of television, video games, computers, and automatic dishwashers, families too often drift apart. Debbie Bowen has found that delegating work in and around the house gives a sense of accomplishment and draws her family closer because of times spent together. Her children are responsible, and they all have memories that will last a lifetime. The formulas for success in this excellent book, W.O.R.K. can be applied to families everywhere, including yours!

Chapter titles:

1. Preface
2. Introduction
3. Delegation: Your Key to Sanity
4. Eliminating Possible Stumbling Blocks to Your Success
5. Why Should I Delegate?
6. Conclusion

Appendix, Index, About the Author

6″ x 9″ paperback

118 pages