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W. O. R. K: Wonderful Opportunities for Raising Responsible Kids
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. 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 can be applied to families everywhere, including yours!
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First published August 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 11, 2022
Teaching my children good work habits is a challenge and life long goal! I want to impart these necessary skills to make sure they’re prepared to live life on their own. While I hope I’ve been somewhat successful, I still feel like there are things I need to learn and want to improve especially where my preteen son is concerned. This audiobook really offered some helpful tips that I’m excited to implement.
The audiobook offers 12 rules that are broken down with great examples from the author’s own life. Raising 10 children on a farm is tough and her no nonsense approach with kind but firm discipline gives me hope that I can get my kids to do more than I previously expected.
The first half shares six Rules of Delegation. They are: 1. Be firm 2. Be fair 3. Be flexible 4. Be patient 5. Be tolerant 6. Be specific. These are great rules I could completely relate to. It’s sometimes hard to remember that I’ve been cleaning for over 35 years and my kids haven’t. Even if my instructions are clear to me, they might not be clear to my child. It’s important to take the time to give the most appropriate job with proper instructions so the child can be successful. I also liked her idea of never redoing your child’s job even if it doesn’t meet up to your standards. It’s so tempting to do this, but it undermines their self esteem and teaches them that if they do a job poorly, mom or dad will do it over for them.
The second section is called the D’s of Delegation. The six D’s are: Decide what jobs can be Delegated, Divide, Deliberate, Demonstrate, Discipline, and Determination. I appreciated this section especially on discipline. Her answer to jobs that aren’t done or jobs done poorly is to assign an extra job. The child quickly learns that if he/she doesn’t want more work, they will do the job and do it to the best of their ability. She cautions not to “punish” with jobs, but to get the kids to buy in to consequences from the get go.
There were so many great ideas that I gleaned from this audiobook. It’s fantastic! The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was the audiobook format. While it was easy to listen to, I would have preferred a paper edition or kindle version that I could highlight and quickly refer back to. Whether you’re a seasoned parent or just beginning, there’s some great insights in this book that would be helpful for anyone. Thanks to CedarFort for providing the complimentary audiobook. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
The audiobook offers 12 rules that are broken down with great examples from the author’s own life. Raising 10 children on a farm is tough and her no nonsense approach with kind but firm discipline gives me hope that I can get my kids to do more than I previously expected.
The first half shares six Rules of Delegation. They are: 1. Be firm 2. Be fair 3. Be flexible 4. Be patient 5. Be tolerant 6. Be specific. These are great rules I could completely relate to. It’s sometimes hard to remember that I’ve been cleaning for over 35 years and my kids haven’t. Even if my instructions are clear to me, they might not be clear to my child. It’s important to take the time to give the most appropriate job with proper instructions so the child can be successful. I also liked her idea of never redoing your child’s job even if it doesn’t meet up to your standards. It’s so tempting to do this, but it undermines their self esteem and teaches them that if they do a job poorly, mom or dad will do it over for them.
The second section is called the D’s of Delegation. The six D’s are: Decide what jobs can be Delegated, Divide, Deliberate, Demonstrate, Discipline, and Determination. I appreciated this section especially on discipline. Her answer to jobs that aren’t done or jobs done poorly is to assign an extra job. The child quickly learns that if he/she doesn’t want more work, they will do the job and do it to the best of their ability. She cautions not to “punish” with jobs, but to get the kids to buy in to consequences from the get go.
There were so many great ideas that I gleaned from this audiobook. It’s fantastic! The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was the audiobook format. While it was easy to listen to, I would have preferred a paper edition or kindle version that I could highlight and quickly refer back to. Whether you’re a seasoned parent or just beginning, there’s some great insights in this book that would be helpful for anyone. Thanks to CedarFort for providing the complimentary audiobook. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
February 23, 2022
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This is an excellent parent help book. Not only does it help parents with their kids and teaching them a work ethic that works for your family, she also helps parents understand that they do not have to do everything themselves. I strive to be a parent with kids who are respectful and hard working… but I definitely have struggles with this. While my kids have manners those manners definitely fly out the window when they are home. While I do not have to manage 10 kids I am grateful for Debby’s insight that I can find a work method that works best for my family. Truly and inspirational read.
I recommend to all parents. Even those with who have a handle on their kids you can still gain some insight you might not have considered before.
@cedarfort
This is an excellent parent help book. Not only does it help parents with their kids and teaching them a work ethic that works for your family, she also helps parents understand that they do not have to do everything themselves. I strive to be a parent with kids who are respectful and hard working… but I definitely have struggles with this. While my kids have manners those manners definitely fly out the window when they are home. While I do not have to manage 10 kids I am grateful for Debby’s insight that I can find a work method that works best for my family. Truly and inspirational read.
I recommend to all parents. Even those with who have a handle on their kids you can still gain some insight you might not have considered before.
@cedarfort
March 26, 2009
My interest was definitely peaked when I learned this was written by a homeschooling mom of 10 kids. Obviously she needed to get the kids working so she would have time to do anything, let alone write a book! (It must work, she's written two others since.)
The book goes into changing your own mindset on how things are done in the home, delegating, stumbling blocks we might encounter, the rewards of getting your kids working.
I've seen so many complicated systems and TRIED many for myself and for my children, but hers is really pretty simple. Split things up, pass them out, let your family members know they have input, make sure they are trained well in how to do it, and make sure they are accountable.
The book goes into changing your own mindset on how things are done in the home, delegating, stumbling blocks we might encounter, the rewards of getting your kids working.
I've seen so many complicated systems and TRIED many for myself and for my children, but hers is really pretty simple. Split things up, pass them out, let your family members know they have input, make sure they are trained well in how to do it, and make sure they are accountable.
June 24, 2015
This was a short, easy read - just over 100 pages. I appreciated reading about the author and how she delegates chores to her 10 children...but I wish there would have been more exact "this is what you do." It seemed like a majority of the book was convincing you that you should delegate chores to you children even if they whine, complain, work slowly, etc. Duh. I think everybody agrees kids should have chores...but what chores and how much is the question in my mind.
It did have a list of chores at the end by age group. My 5 yr old and almost 4 yr old may not like their new list of chores...but maybe it will stop them from saying "I'm bored" to me. :)
It did have a list of chores at the end by age group. My 5 yr old and almost 4 yr old may not like their new list of chores...but maybe it will stop them from saying "I'm bored" to me. :)
September 28, 2009
I liked the idea as a whole that kids should do chores because they're part of the family. I didn't like that she seems to "burden" her kids. Many of the things that she talks about are the way things were when I grew up. I hated it! I think she goes overboard and by the end of the book I was getting pretty annoyed at her.
January 17, 2008
Every child needs to know they belong. Every child needs boundaries.... Every child needs to learn HOW and WHY work is important. Debbie does a good job of telling her story and giving people REAL ideas for REAL people.
June 5, 2010
Really good stuff. I will need to modify it a little bit to fit my family needs. I think for me personally, I am going to be a little bit more lenient than her, but, she's got 10 kids. What more do I need to say about that?
Currently reading
May 26, 2007I am currently reading this, will read and tell when I'm finished.
July 26, 2008
I love this book! I am always looking for ways to get my family more productive and efficient. This one gave me a lot of ideas!
September 8, 2009
Great book for families with young children! Great ideas for teaching them to have a good work ethic.
June 16, 2011
I really enjoyed listening to this book on tape. It was full of ideas for helping kids work and taught the value behind having kids work. This info will definitely be put to good use!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews