Book Review: Cleaning House: A Mom's Twelve-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement

Recently I received an e-book from Waterbrook to read and review for you guys. This book is called Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma. I will share with you a description of the book and then post my review below:

Do your kids expect clean folded clothes to magically appear in their drawers? Do they roll their eyes when you suggest they clean the bathroom? By racing in to make their lives easy, have you unintentionally reinforced your children’s belief that the world revolves around them?
 
Dismayed at the attitude of entitlement that had crept into her home, Kay Wyma got some attitude of her own. Cleaning House is her account of a year-long campaign to introduce her five kids to basic life skills and the ways meaningful work can increase earned self-confidence and concern for others.
 
With irresistible humor and refreshing insights, Kay candidly details the ups and downs of equipping her kids for such tasks as making beds, refinishing a deck chair, and working together. The changes that take place in her household will inspire you to launch your own campaign to dislodge your kids from the center of their universe.


MY REVIEW:
I am always reading parenting books! Being a first time, new parent I always am on the lookout for a new parenting book to read so I was very interested when they sent me this book. I initially thought it was going to be the type of book that you can read out of order like most self-help books. But this book is written more in a story form. I found myself being drawn into the story and wanting to keep reading to find out how her kids did with the change. The author lists 12 things she wants her kids to be able to know and do when they leave her house which I thought was very interesting. I had never thought about making a list of things I want my child to learn before she's 18 but I think it's a great idea. I loved that this book was not only about teaching kids chores but also teaching them valuable life lessons such as loving their neighbor and family teamwork. I didn't agree with all of her ideas but it was a worthwhile read and the author peppered in humor in the book that made it a fun, easy read. I think it would be a great book for new parents wanting to get the upper hand on family chores and teamwork before their kids get out of hand and I also think it would be a great book for families who need help getting their teenagers involved in day to day lives.