Busy but Balanced: Practical and Inspirational Ways to Create a Calmer, Closer Family [Hardcover]

Mimi Doe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2001

The ideas in Busy but Balanced are for the people who need them the most-those of us out in the world putting our longings, goals, and ideas into action and balancing that with creating a nourishing home and deeply connecting with our children. It's not about giving up desire but, instead, creating a right relationship with all aspects of ourselves and our world. Rather than breathlessly grasping at the shards of our lives, we can boldly and calmly expand to embrace all aspects of it-alert and relaxed.

A mother of two young children expressed what many of us feel: "I want a simple life; I want a busy life. I don't want it cluttered with junk, but I want it vibrant. My relationship is with my family, and I want that at the core of my life; but I also want meaningful work. My family is forever so I want that to thrive, but I want the day in and day out at work to be good too."

Fear of change locks many of us into rote living-treadmill days. Busy but Balanced, a practical and inspirational guide, will help you take action month by month, manage change, even invite it in, to create a full life lived with no regrets. Making choices allows you to live sanely with more joy, energy, and success-without sacrifice.
---From the Introduction

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mimi Doe is the author of the award-winning Ten Principles for Spiritual Parenting and Drawing Angels Near, and she inspires thousands of parents across the country each year with her personalized workshops and a popular on-line newsletter. Seen on Oprah and heralded as "a parenting guru" by Ladies Home Journal, Doe holds a Master's degree in education from Harvard University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (November 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312272219
• ISBN-13: 978-0312272210
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #756,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars tons of great advice, September 18, 2003

By 

M. H. Bayliss "book queen" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Busy but Balanced: Practical and Inspirational Ways to Create a Calmer, Closer Family (Hardcover)

Mimi Doe writes with clarity and grace about what we as parents should be doing but don't always make time for. She organizes the book by months and seasons and gently guides us through the maze of parenting. The tips are not only useful but inspiring as well since they are all doable if we make time for them.

Parents should keep this guide right by their bed and refer to it on a daily basis to keep their lives balanced and to be a strong force in their kids' lives as well. While reading this book, I wanted to go hug my daughter and say sweet things to my baby son. Must reading for parents with kids of all ages.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable and rewarding!, May 22, 2002

By 

Christel B. Bateman (Greeley, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Busy but Balanced: Practical and Inspirational Ways to Create a Calmer, Closer Family (Hardcover)

I found this book to be extremely easy to read, especially in my "busy" life. The chapters are broken into months but can be read at any time. The ideas are explicit and concise and realistic. Mimi writes with the knowledge that readers will pull ideas from her book that will work for each family individually. There is no "must do" chastising in Ms. Doe's work, simply suggestions for things that will help every busy person feel more balanced about family life and taking control of what may feel like an out-of-control situation. Definitely worth the time!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful suggestions! I'll refer to it over and over!, December 20, 2001

By 

MyParenTime.com "myparentimesfamily" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Busy but Balanced: Practical and Inspirational Ways to Create a Calmer, Closer Family (Hardcover)

As a parent, I know how easy it is to get caught up in a ton of activities and loose track of the little things that keep me grounded. I never realized that by making just a few changes in my daily routine, I could create an atmosphere of peace within my own family.

So where do you begin to find ideas to help balance out your life? The book, "Busy But Balanced," by Mimi Doe, is one place I recommend you start. One great thing about this book is, that you don't have to sit down and read it from cover to cover in order to gain knowledge from it. You can just pick it up and open to any page to get inspired. The book is categorized by the twelve months of the year, and you can just open it to any page and find a useful tip or wonderful suggestion. Parents, you'll find many ideas that will help you better connect with your family.

My ParenTime highly recommends the book, "Busy But Balanced" - the suggestions are easy to implement, and the ideas are creative. Many of the ideas will no doubt become new traditions in your own family. You're sure to enjoy sharing your new sense of peace with others. This exceptionally uplifting book includes supportive resources, quotes, experiences from other parents, and gentle reminders on how to appreciate life, yourself, and your family.