Putting Family First; Successful Strategies for Reclaiming Family Life in a Hurry-Up World

by William J. Doherty and Barbara Z. Carlson

• ISBN13: 9780805068382
• ISBN10: 0805068384
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2002-08-02
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks

Summary

The founders of a lauded family advocacy organization present a guide for reclaiming family life, even in the most hectic households. In the past twenty years, children's free time has declined by twelve hours a week, time spent on structured sports activities has doubled, family dinners are down by a third, and the number of families taking vacations together has decreased by 28 percent. When William J. Doherty and Barbara Z. Carlson observed this trend in their own families and community, they took action and founded Family Life First, an organization committed to helping parents reclaim family time. Doherty and Carlson offer realistic ways to regain valuable family connections and embark on more balanced, meaningful relationships at home. Drawing on their years of hands-on experience, they share tips for time-crunched parents on how to: --get everyone to sit down for family meals --make bedtime a meaningful end to the day --plan family outings and vacations --make time for your marriage More than just a time-management manual, this book delves into the issues that lie at the heart of all family-related choices, revealing innovative ways to address scheduling conflicts, competitiveness, and the many other situations that cause daily angst. Offering a new perspective on a fraying institution,Putting Family Firstrestores a sense of fulfillment, fun, and security to the family once again.

Author Biography

William J. Doherty, Ph.D., is a professor and director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Center at the University of Minnesota and co-founder of Family Life First. He has been named one of the ten most innovative therapists in the United States by Utne Reader.

Barbara Z. Carlson is a community activist, the co-founder of Family Life First, and the mother of four children.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. xi
It's Time for Action: Overscheduled Kids, Underconnected Families	p. 1
It's About Time: Putting First Things First	p. 13
This Kitchen Is Not a Pit Stop: Reclaiming Family Meals	p. 26
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep: Reclaiming Bedtime	p. 47
But It's Not on the Schedule! Reclaiming Time to Just Hang Out	p. 61
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Reclaiming Family Outings and Vacations	p. 77
Taming the Technology Beast: Reclaiming Family Life in the Home	p. 91
Putting Family First in Two-Parent Families	p. 102
Putting Family First in Single-Parent Families	p. 113
Putting Family First in Stepfamilies	p. 126
Making Time for a Marriage	p. 137
It's About Each of Us: Changing Our Families	p. 152
It's About All of Us: Changing Our Communities	p. 160
Acknowledgments	p. 177
Index	p. 179
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