Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families

by Ann Kroeker

We're raising our kids in a high-speed, high-pressured, 24/7 world. Pushing children to get ahead, we cram everything possible into our days to maximize their chance at success. We're overloaded, overextended, overcommitted, and over-caffeinated. And we're paying a Our relationships are anemic; our health, in jeopardy.  Half-awake and half-hearted, we can't sustain this pace. But how can we possibly downshift without missing out? Not So Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families explores the jarring effects of our over committed culture and offers refreshing alternatives. Author Ann Kroeker relates her own story of how embracing a slower everyday pace resulted in a more meaningful family and spiritual life. Practical ideas and insight will spark creativity and personal reflection. Plus, ponder real-life stories from parents who chucked the high-speed lifestyle and reaped the rewards of richer relationships. Not So Fast offers hope that families struggling with hurried hearts and frantic souls can discover the rejuvenating power of an unrushed life.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Family

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Writing Coach Ann Kroeker leverages over 25 years of writing and editing experience in the publishing industry to equip her clients to reach their writing goals. A published author and coauthor, corporate and freelance writer, book editor, speaker, and poet, Ann has served on the editorial teams of two large online organizations and focuses on serving others in her role as a writing coach. Her clients have signed book contracts, been accepted into prestigious MFA programs, launched their own freelance writing businesses, and landed articles and essays in national publications. She coauthored On Being a Writer: 12 Simple Habits for a Writing Life that Lasts, and authored Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families and The Contemplative Mom: Restoring Rich Relationship with God in the Midst of Motherhood. Her articles have been featured in a variety of publications including The Indianapolis Star newspaper, and magazines such as ByFaith, The Student, Christian Home and School, and Indianapolis Woman. A contributor to several books, she was honored to have her work included in Seth and Amber Haines' Mother Letters and the award-winning Experiencing the Passion of Jesus, by Lee Strobel and Garry Poole. Ann's Belgian-born husband and she have four children, ages 15 to 22. Whether at work or play, she lives a life full of wonder and curiosity.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very good ideas. And it quotes the fabulous Trish Southard, who I can personally attest strives to live the kind of slow-paced, reflective life I want for our family.

[Ashley Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy a lot of the content, but it is quite outdated. For example, Facebook and MySpace were the social media platforms discussed. I guess that’s what I get for trying to read the older ebooks I have on my kindle.

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can find a lot of talk around the internet and news about the busyness of life, and the busyness of families. We live in a 24/7 world that never shuts down. Email and cell phones have made our lives "easier", but they've also made us accessible 24/7. In the drive to succeed, many of us put our children in as many activities as we can, hoping to make them into better people. Is that necessary? It's your decision. In this book, however, Ann Kroeker has had the courage to step up and say, no it isn't necessary.

In her book she talks about the effects that an overcommitted culture can have on our families. Her perspective is Christian and she shares her own story about how embracing a slower pace of life has impacted her family in positive ways. I love the parts where she talks about the importance of letting children have a somewhat unstructured childhood, and encouraging them to explore and play and have fun.

With chapters called, Slowing Down Childhood, Too Fast to Care and Too Fast to Rest, or Slow Enough to Savor Traditions and Slowing Down Spending, Ann gives honest practical advice. Each chapter ends with Slow Notes, a section with practical ideas you can implement immediately. Each chapter also ends with Live From the Slow Zone, with anecdotes and experiences from people who are actively living a slower paced life. Applicable scriptures are sprinkled throughout the book.

One highlight for me was the family Load Line, where much like a ship has a load line or limit to how much cargo it can carry before it is unsafe, so a family has that same load line where too many activities can negatively impact family life. Another highlight was about traditions and the importance of not only having family traditions but taking the time to savor and enjoy them.

I love the resources at the end of the book. Ann has extensive footnotes which give references and sources for her information. She also lists blogs and other resources at her website.

I thoroughly enjoyed this gem of a book. It is one I will reread as I look to find ideas and ways to simplify my family's life.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this I thought, "I already live a slow life, so none of this will be new to me." While I can't say any of what was written was a surprise, it certainly opened my eyes to the attitude I've had about living a slow life. It's so easy to want to live life in a run-rushing through the present to get to an exciting future. But while doing that we miss all the wonderful, simple things surrounding us.

I recommend this book to everyone. It is down to earth and very well written. The author never appears a know-it-all, but rather shares her own struggles and process of learning to slow down. Different Bible versions are used (I prefer the KJV), but there are a lot of passages mentioned and not written out.

Read this...just not too fast!

[Appel Aja · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my biggest goals as a parent will be to create a calm, relaxing home. I see so many families today that have their children signed up for a large number of sports and extracurricular activities. These families often seem frazzled, stressed out, and just generally not enjoying life. This book helped me clarify and think through what I want the priorities for my family to be. Although the author provided some statistics, the book was mostly her writing about things that worked for her own family.

[Chandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept...slow down and smell the roses. I think we are too often in a hurry and lately I've put "hurry" on my list of naughty words because I think it destroys so much goodness. She gives some great ideas of how to just relax. I need to stop being worried about craming every single minute of the day full of fantastic opportunities to grow and excel.

[Eraina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had good Scripture, research and statistics, case studies and practical ideas throughout on why and how to be unhurried with our families in the areas of worshiping God, loving and serving others, rest, traditions, technology, God's creation, money and spending, sexuality, personal creativity, and family.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to think that being a good time manager meant getting organized and fitting MORE into my day. I am learning that God doesn't always call us to do more, but that He sometimes calls us to do LESS. He often prunes to produce more fruit. Ann reminded me of the value of slowing down so that I can better hear His still, small voice.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "stop & smell the roses" book for Christian families.

Most of this stuff we already do, but for a free e-book it is a pretty good read (appropriately, read its entirety while inching along 35 to Round Rock over Labor Day weekend. Note -- I wasn't driving).

Includes short testimonies from other parents and ideas for applying the ideas to one's own family life.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new I didn't finish

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anecdotally there were some good takeaways--but it didn't seem to connect well with me. Some helpful principles--but the book wasn't interesting or overly practical for me personally.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for our generation - specific, helpful tips on how to slow down as a family. Loved it!!! Highly recommend!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking. Loved the first several chapters. Was a little weary of it at the end, but the first several chapters were worth gold.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, simple book with some great ideas. I wish every mom would read this book.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So true. Makes great sense and gives great examples of what some families do and have found to be great successes in helping their children learn what is truly most importAnt in life.

[Cheryl Sumitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Found it so helpful for my life now and am looking forward to rereading as my kids grow and move into new life stages that present new challenges. I highly recommend it!

[Mike Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking at my year end review, I'm finding this is my least read book (by others) which is sad. Because I know lots of others who should read it.