Customer Reviews

30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family

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What I most love about Rebecca Hagelin's book--besides the very practical, hands on, parent- and kid-tested suggestions and resources--is her infectious upbeat attitude, a can do, positive joy in shouldering the difficult responsibilities of parenting. Children are gifts, but we in our downbeat culture, are filled with unrelieved worries about things, material things. What Rebecca gives the reader is a bracing reminder that, hey, this is all about people we love, and let's enjoy and make the very best of the hard times and the good times--they both teach us lessons and build character. As the great fourth-century John Chrysostom reminded his packed church, material things are on loan from God; what we take with us beyond earthly life are virtues and character and the fruit of such a life. Help for struggling parents and children is here in her book.

In today's culture, even the best parents can wonder how to give their children the best practical ideas to stay thoughtful, considerate and safe. But for young parents especially, this book is a God send. Raising a child today is full of more speed bumps and pitfalls than probably any generation before us. And when the children are at school, they are constantly being offered incentives to stray from their moral upbringing. I have given this amazing and easy step-by-step guide to strengthening your family to every expecting friend, and young parent I know, in the hopes that it will do what it did for me: offer me real hope, optimism, and fresh encouraging ideas to bring my family closer together. Don't buy one copy, buy TEN! And give it to all of your friends. Buy 50 and give it to your church group, boy scout parents, soccer moms/dads, etc. because you'll find that your fellow parents are facing the same issues you are, and developing that network of support is a blessing unto itself.

The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life

This powerful book will no doubt help you raise emotionally healthy, responsible, well-adjusted kids. 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family has great ideas AND it's highly practical. There are 30 chapters organized so that it's easy to read a short chapter every day for the next month. Think about it...One great idea can change your family, but with Rebecca's new book, you'll have 30 plus to choose from and implement. And each of her chapters is a manageable action step that you can put into practice beginning immediately. You'll also find a ton of resources to help your family build their faith and their relationships with each other. Reading this book will equip you to have a much greater influence in shaping your children's future...and by extension, the future of our country.

If you're looking for rock-solid family and parenting advice from someone who knows the truth, this book will serve you well. You won't find wishy-washy answers, filtered through the lens of of political correctness, just hard-hitting, common sense ideas (that aren't so common) rooted in timeless principles.

I especially encourage you to share this book with the parents of your children's friends!

One of my favorite chapters is 20- Establish a Family Tradition of a Daily Quiet Time. As a homeschooling mom, I'm looking forward to implementing this into our daily schedule.

I also appreciate chapter 23- Set Clothing Standards for Your Daughter That Reflect She is to be Respected and Admired for Who She Truly Is. So many other books I've read have taken on a very hard-line stance on how "modesty" is defined, leaving little room to take into consideration personal taste. Rebecca is more practical in her approach. When she goes shopping with her daughter the rule is "We both have to like it."

This is by far one of the most practical and easy-to-read books on parenting that I've read- and I've read dozens. I can honestly recommend it as a must for any parent

Anyone who is considering having children will benefit greatly by reading this book ! One of the best things about this book is that the author makes it simple with her one day at a time approach to parenting.

In a time period when most households have working parent(s) who commmute 1-2 hours daily, who work 8+ hours away from home, and who return home to kids who need parental attention and support, this book is a godsend. In these stressful times, the author has written a book that teaches parents how to create a happy, loving home environment that nurtures everyone who lives there.

It's a good book about family life and family issues. The hurdle is to get family members to read it and then to apply it. It's a well-thought-out book. Too many families are in distress and need this kind of counsel. How do we get them to read it or listen to it?30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family

Rebecca Hagelin offers fun, practical, and very workable ideas for parents wanting to raise positive, productive and secure kids! Her writing is real and from the heart. When I was a young mom, I wish I had had a list of useful, easy to do and practical suggestions such as this book offers! I have sent a copy to all my kids that are parents, so my family can still benefit from her timely wisdom!

I remember when almost everyone, about 20 years ago, was buying the "what you need to know about having babies" books. They were helpful for a few years . . . then we were all flying by the seat of our pants, trying to navigate a totally different world than the one we were raised in. The last thing our moms would say in the Summer as we headed out on our bikes was, "Be home before dark." Now . . . it seems that darkness has crept into our homes and communities so much, that kids don't ride bikes any more for fear of the reality of what lurks out there. Rebecca's book is a breath of fresh air to realize that we are not alone as parents, but share the same frustrations and confusion that millions of parents are experiencing. But like the baby books, when we had a question that needed a quick answer without having to read the whole thing, you can leaf right to that issue in Rebecca's book and get a quick and insightful answer . . . one that she shares because she learned to break the teen code of conversation. I would recommend this book even for new parents because it will give you an idea of what to expect . . . sooner than you think . . . as that little bundle of joy begins experiencing all hurdles and obstacles the new world has to offer. Get it for your friends who are struggling with their family relationships. This is a real winner of a book. Very well done and very much needed.

30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family

I am a mother of three children (spanning an 8 year age difference) and the wife of a busy pediatrician. At home and at work, my husband and I are keenly aware and fully engaged in the challenges of rearing children in today's culture. I find Mrs. Hagelin's book to be chock-full of wise and practical suggestions that will educate and empower fellow parents, grandparents, and family members. I am enjoying putting Mrs. Hagelin's fresh ideas and resources to good use! I have purchased additional copies of 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family to share with our friends and family, medical staff, youth pastor, and local college library. My advice? Buy this book, read it, gain valuable insight and smart skills to make a better life for yourself and those you love!

Most of us who have raised children know the exasperation and desperation that comes from wanting to help you children, doing the best you know how, and still having things blow up in your face. You have probably tried being the loving parent, the disciplinarian, the friend, and a hundred other approaches. And if you have several children (or more), you learn that each kid requires different things from you. You have to become a different kind of parent for each one.

Well, the modern world also steps in between the parent a child for its own benefit, but tells the kids that what it offers is better for them and more fun than those out-of-date parents. This does not help your chances for success. But this book can help you push back against those heavy odds.

Rebecca Hagelin is a pro-family activist and columnist who shares her own real-life experiences in struggling with raising kids in today's world. She offers us a book with 30 chapters that you can implement in one month (or two or three) by reading ahead, planning, and deciding your course of action. Each chapter is organized similarly. She first presents the challenge you face and its sources. She then presents a real world example of someone who has been through this challenge and often a section from her own life. Each chapter then asks you to date and sign a commitment to implement that challenge. Many chapters also have a section that guides you to sources for more help.

What do you do over those 30 days? Well, I am not going to list every chapter title, but the basic pattern is to commit to the daily battle you will face. You have to stay engaged to do this. Then you envision what you want your family to be, assess where you and then you have the size of the gap you want to close. She then takes you through the challenges TV represents, how to make your home more inviting so your kids want to be there, having family time, good friends, the difference between principles and preferences, writing letters to your kids, how to battle the culture without making it a personal battle with your kid, taking charge of your child's education, how to have meaningful discussions with your child (and why that's not a lecture from you), parental TV controls, movie screening, family quiet time, being a great example, clothing and dress, Internet filters, online social networking, connecting work and reward, and much more. The last chapter is you making your own next list.

The author uses a frank and openly religious point of view. Frankly, I enjoy it and find it refreshing, but I thought you ought to know this. For me, it is yet another reason to recommend the book. It may or may not be something you want. However, even if religion makes you squeamish I would urge you to overlook it for all the other benefits the book offers you in helping you strengthen your family.

Don't just enjoy this book; use it.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI