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nina_rod's review against another edition
3.0
"The gift of their own boredom. The frustration of having nothing to do is usually the start of something really wonderful. For toys, less is more."
Listened to it on audio book. The book advocates less stuff: toys, books (shock!), and activities for kids. When kids have too much stuff and demands on their time, the author says these middle America on-the-go kids as stressed out and suffering from PTSD. I can see that. He advocates living a simpler, slowed down life (which I can get on board with) and having less clutter, and more free, unstructured time.
Listened to it on audio book. The book advocates less stuff: toys, books (shock!), and activities for kids. When kids have too much stuff and demands on their time, the author says these middle America on-the-go kids as stressed out and suffering from PTSD. I can see that. He advocates living a simpler, slowed down life (which I can get on board with) and having less clutter, and more free, unstructured time.
booksandbuddy's review
5.0
A necessary read for the 21st Century parent
It took me a while to finish this book. It has lots of examples and sometimes a bit wordy for my taste, but I learned a lot. It's a book I needed at a time that noise started creeping into our home life. Definitely something I recommend to friends.
It took me a while to finish this book. It has lots of examples and sometimes a bit wordy for my taste, but I learned a lot. It's a book I needed at a time that noise started creeping into our home life. Definitely something I recommend to friends.
beckyduff's review
5.0
Our house is so not minimalist, but I loved this book and the ideas behind it.
Our children are overwhelmed with so much stuff! I know myself, as an adult, get overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in my home, it's no wonder the kids go crazy!!
Plus our children only play with a handful of things anyway. Why do we spend so much money on all these toys?
I have been more focused on "toys" like playdoh, Lego, or board and card games they can play or we can play as a family.
Our children are overwhelmed with so much stuff! I know myself, as an adult, get overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in my home, it's no wonder the kids go crazy!!
Plus our children only play with a handful of things anyway. Why do we spend so much money on all these toys?
I have been more focused on "toys" like playdoh, Lego, or board and card games they can play or we can play as a family.
bpontius's review
5.0
Excellent book, would highly recommend for any parent in today's chaotic and rushing world. Most of the principles here are equally useful for the parents as they are for the kids.
jes77librarian's review
5.0
This book describes the problems that occur when children are overwhelmed by choice, environment, and information. Payne has a clear path on how to remove emotional and physical clutter from family life and the benefits that ensue from doing this. He writes about the importance of free-play in a child's life, how to talk to your children, and the necessity of simplicity in everyone's life. I suggest this book to all parents, whether you are new parents or your children are in their teenage years. Every family can simplify their lives and the benefits far outweigh the difficulties in learning to let go.