Desperate Households: How to Restore Order and Harmony to Your Life and Home [Paperback]

Kathy Peel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 29, 2007

Through her own personal stories and the stories of women and families with whom she's worked doing Family Manager Makeovers, Kathy Peel helps women navigate the seven areas of life that can cause feelings of desperation. The book Entertains the reader with some light-hearted humor Inspires the reader as she learns that God cares about the details of her life and wants to meet her and empower her at her points of desperation Equips the reader to take steps in her own home and personal life that will make a huge difference in her family's--and her own--quality of life Describes the seven areas of home life that can become out of control Features stories from Kathy's life about her own points of desperation and how God has met her in those points, as well as stories from other women Offers spiritually based solutions to practical problemsTHE SEVEN AREAS OF POTENTIAL DESPERATION Home & Property--overseeing the maintenance and care of all tangible assets, including belongings, house and its surroundings, and your vehicles Food--meeting the family's daily food and nutritional needs of your family Family & Friends--dealing with relational responsibilities as a parent and spouse, and with extended family, friends, and neighbors Finances--managing the budget, bill-paying, saving, investing, and charitable giving Special Events--planning and coordinating occasions--birthdays, holidays, vacations, garage sales, family reunions, and celebrations--that fall outside one's normal routine Time & Scheduling--managing the family calendar and daily schedule; dispatching the right people to the right place at the right time with the right equipment Self-Management--caring for one's body, nurturing the mind and spirit

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kathy Peel is founder and CEO of Family Manager. Her company trains, coaches, encourages, and equips women worldwide to build strong families and happy, organized homes [www.familymanager.com]. Kathy has writ ten eighteen books, which have sold over 2 million copies. She is AOL's Family and Kids Coach and writes for numerous magazines, including Family Circle, Reader's Digest, Parenting, and HomeLife. She is a popular speaker and media personality whose Family Manager Makeover stories have appeared on programs such as Oprah, The Early Show, and HGTV.

Product Details

• Paperback: 243 pages
• Publisher: Picket Fence Press (June 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414316186
• ISBN-13: 978-1414316185
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kathy Peel is CEO of Family Manager Inc., a company that trains women in the art of family management. She has written 21 books, selling more than 2 million copies. Her latest works are The Busy Couple's Guide to Sharing the Work & the Joy, The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home (winner of the 2009 Gold Mom's Choice Award) and Desperate Households. She is AOL's Kids & Family Coach, and she contributes to many publications, including FamilyFun, Parents, Woman's World, Family Circle, HomeLife, and ParentDish. A popular speaker and media personality with repeat appearances on programs such as Oprah, The Early Show, The Today Show, and HGTV.

Visit Kathy Peel's Web site: www.familymanager.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this book August 22, 2007

By cheerio girl

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had a "lightbulb moment" when I read this book, specifically the part about some of us being right-brained, and some left. I always just assumed I should be (would be) organized, because I am Type A. But that's really not how I'm wired...not what "fills me up"...I'd much rather paint a wall or make a scrapbook than organize a closet.

A lot of this you've heard before, but I think the author gives a lot of good illustrations and provides much-needed perspective on several issues. I also like the tables that specify problem areas with solutions.

I would love to be able to afford a Family Manager consultation, but on a budget, this is a good substitute.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved This Book July 19, 2008

By Pooh

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I recently read this book as part of a neighborhood book club. Everyone in the group loved this book.

The book starts by discribing the importance of "Family Manager." It gives a 2 page list of all of the many jobs that must be accomplished in a home to keep it running smoothly. It gives great ideas on how to get your family invovled. This book then moves on to various topics that are important in the home. These include: Finances, organization, personal time, time management, meal planning, family respect, long term goals, etc. It helps each family to develope their own "Mission Statement."

I have already used many of the ideas from this book in my home. My kids love having dinner time jobs and have created a job chart to assign duties such as cooking, setting the table, clearing, and loading the dishwasher.

I used the methods from this book to clean my closet, my daughter's room, and the family room. Our home is a happier place to be.

This a great book with easy to use ideas to improve family life. Make sure you keep a notebook handy while you read!

Thanks Kathy for a wonderful book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Too Religious May 16, 2012

By Amy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thought this book would be full of great stories about how people got their lives back on track and organized, but once I started reading it was full of religion and bible thumping. There was nothing that indicated to me this was a religious book, and I was very disappointed. The religious bent (which is prominent) really turned me off of the book and I couldn't read more than a third of it.

If you like all of your reading material to come with a side of God, I guess you're in the right place, but if not I would skip this one.