Cleaning House

A Mom's Twelve-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement

By: Kay Wills Wyma

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Do your kids think that clean, folded clothes magically appear in their drawers? Do they roll their eyes when you suggest they clean the bathroom? Do you think it's your job to pave their road to success? As parents, so often we hover, race in to save, and do everything we can for our kids--unintentionally reinforcing their belief that the world revolves around them.

When Kay Wyma realized that an attitude of entitlement had crept into her home, this mother of five got some attitude of her own. Cleaning House is her account of a year-long campaign to introduce her kids to basic life skills. From making beds to grocery shopping to refinishing a deck chair, the Wyma family experienced for themselves the ways meaningful work can transform self-absorption into earned self-confidence and concern for others.

With irresistible humor and refreshing insights, Kay candidly details the ups and downs of removing her own kids from the center of the universe. The changes that take place in her household will inspire you to launch your own campaign against youth entitlement. As Kay says, "Here's to seeing what can happen when we tell our kids, 'I believe in you, and I'm going to prove it by putting you to work.'"

©2012 eChristian Inc. (P)2012 eChristian Inc.

No exactly what I expected

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I liked the idea of this book and the comparison stories but the story is basically the same every month. Maybe it is the wordage used over and over.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Maybe not using the same words, basic story line each month.

Have you listened to any of Tavia Gilbert’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

N/A

Did Cleaning House inspire you to do anything?

YES, It made me realize my 20 YOA son is still reaping the benefits.....Not now!

Any additional comments?

This was a good book just a bit redundant. What this book preaches about entitlement is all factual and makes you realize you need to CUT OUT ENABLING!

Good Read

Trying what she did brought peace to our home. And the narrator is easy to listen to.

Broken down, easy to do activities that change!

So many great and totally doable ideas! I will be listening again and again to this book as my kids grow up.

Yes, yes, YES!!

What did you love best about Cleaning House?

I chose it to read because I'm on a 12-months of "xyz"-kick right now ... but as a mother of young children, I bump up against this entitlement stuph on a regular basis. I found myself shouting YES!! to her philosophy and statements (after admitting to the error of her ways prior to the project) and cheering her and her family on throughout the book. I feel so strongly about the points and quality of this book that I am purchasing it for every member (40!) of my Mothers of PreSchoolers group this year!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cleaning House?

when she recounts a friend's son putting in a sprinkler system himself (including research and purchasing), and when she had one (clueless) kid pump gas ...

Which scene was your favorite?

there are 12 categories - I think my favorite 'scenes' are when she explains the different ways her different-personaly-ed crew handled the challenges.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

give kids the tools, and step back. self-esteem is created when you give them the opportunities to succeed (and sometimes fail), not when you pave the way, fix the results, or prevent failure/experience altogether!

I wish they had said it was a Christian(Bible)book

Had to fast forward through a lot of Bible thumping. You can have good manners and values without being a believer. I have always instilled good values in my kids. There were quite a few helpful tips. But it kinda turned me off when she asked other people about how they are going to serve others... Isn't it supposed to be selfless not in a way bragging. This was the impression I got.