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angelsrgorgeous's review against another edition
4.0
I truly love some of the ideas on this book and will be adding some things presented here into our family's routine. I had a difficult time with the author's tone, however. It is a bit grating/ annoying. I'm glad I read it, but found it hard to finish in some ways simply due to the tone and wording. Overall, some great ideas.
jkn303's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book that really gets you thinking about how best to equip our kids for life outside the nest by encouraging them to be independent and self-sufficient and letting make mistakes sometimes too! I think it's very important and something we all, myself included, really need to make a conscientious effort on for our kids.
I saw some negative reviews about this book being too Christian. I am not personally religious but I didn't find the religious parts to be too heavy handed. I just took them in their overall spirit and didn't pick them apart because they don't match my personal beliefs. Another criticism was that the book is a bit backward in some of its social constructs vis a vis feminism. On that point I don't disagree, but once again, I chose to view this in the framework I'm comfortable with. Rather than "ladies first" I can see it as putting someone else (anyone else) before yourself. To me, I didn't need to pick apart the semantics to appreciate the message.
And I do think the message is too good to miss.
I saw some negative reviews about this book being too Christian. I am not personally religious but I didn't find the religious parts to be too heavy handed. I just took them in their overall spirit and didn't pick them apart because they don't match my personal beliefs. Another criticism was that the book is a bit backward in some of its social constructs vis a vis feminism. On that point I don't disagree, but once again, I chose to view this in the framework I'm comfortable with. Rather than "ladies first" I can see it as putting someone else (anyone else) before yourself. To me, I didn't need to pick apart the semantics to appreciate the message.
And I do think the message is too good to miss.
wbrans74readmore's review against another edition
3.0
"Cleaning House" by Kay Wyma offers valuable insights on introducing children to chores, responsibilities, and the importance of selflessness within a family. The book provides practical tips for instilling a sense of contribution and teamwork in running a household. The author's focus on fostering a functional family dynamic is commendable. However, some readers might find the writing style less engaging. Despite this, the book's lessons are worth incorporating into one's own family routine, not to combat entitlement, but to emphasize the collaborative effort needed to maintain a well-functioning household. The book's emphasis on shared responsibilities serves as a reminder that a harmonious home requires the participation of all its members.
emilymorgan02's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. She was funny and interesting and real...which is a plus in a book like this. I got some great ideas and wouldn't mind adding it to my library to refer back to.
gretchensorce's review against another edition
4.0
I have recommended this book to anyone who will listen. Wyma's crusade against entitlement is one to which I (and every parent I know) can relate. Some of the chapters are more relevant to those with teens (getting a job, for instance), but the premise is universal: kids expect to be served and more and more are slipping into adulthood without basic life skills and manners. As parents we do not expect enough from our kids and so they do less. If we only expect more (and do less) they will learn and do more for themselves, yes, but for others as well.
I highlighted many passages in the book (something I have not done since college) and have been loosely implementing Wyma's different experiments. My 6 and 8 year old children now gleefully do various chores (emptying and re-loading the dishwasher is a favorite) and have cooked dinner for the family on more than one occasion. I feel good knowing that I am equipping them for adulthood and instilling self confidence all in one fell swoop.
I will add one caveat here, and that is that the Wyma family is obviously quite religious and the text is peppered with bible quotes and other references to Christianity. The overall message, however reaches across religious boundaries and as a secular humanist I did not find it overly preachy or annoying.
mountain_adventures's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
Terrible book. The author is affluent, but her kids don't just seem entitled they seemed oblivious. Had they never noticed the toilet brush in the bathroom before or other cleaning tools stored in the house? I struggled to find this book relatable. I was hoping to get some tips on how another family implements chores in their family, but this is not the book to help with implementing family chores.
dlack2's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked this book....good examples of age-appropriate household responsibilities for kids.
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. While my kids already do some chores, I think they can do more, and I'm always looking for ways to teach them that things are not just handed to them and they need to have a good work ethic.
This mom picked a different chore/household skill to teach her kids each month. They had a family meeting at the beginning of each month to discuss the expectations and for the kids to learn the chores. She did her best to assist and not take over, and it was a great learning experience for the whole family.
I read it in chunks over a few months to absorb and think about how I wanted to apply the principles of what she did to how I want to do it. I especially liked the "What they learned" and "What I learned" at the end of each chapter.
I plan to do this with my own family starting in a month or two, once I get organized enough to put my plan together.
This mom picked a different chore/household skill to teach her kids each month. They had a family meeting at the beginning of each month to discuss the expectations and for the kids to learn the chores. She did her best to assist and not take over, and it was a great learning experience for the whole family.
I read it in chunks over a few months to absorb and think about how I wanted to apply the principles of what she did to how I want to do it. I especially liked the "What they learned" and "What I learned" at the end of each chapter.
I plan to do this with my own family starting in a month or two, once I get organized enough to put my plan together.
kedra80's review against another edition
5.0
This is a must-read for all moms and dads out there! I feel like I do a pretty good job of teaching my kids to be independent and not be entitled, but I still learned a new strategy and wanted to try something from each chapter.
jillupton's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting read that I think all parents should read. This book describes how children today all seem to have a sense of entitlement and complain when even the smallest of tasks are asked of them. Even though I would not choose to handle it in the same exact way of the author with making monthly tasks, I do definitely agree with her method of getting the kids to do things.