Jackie's A Fan, And Invites You To Come Meet This Author

 

New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler has drawn up a blueprint for modern families — a new approach to family dynamics, inspired by cutting-edge techniques gathered from experts in the disciplines of science, business, sports, and the military.

The result is a funny and thought-provoking playbook for contemporary families, with more than 200 useful strategies, including: the right way to have family dinner, what your mother never told you about sex (but should have), and why you should always have two women present in difficult conversations.

Timely, compassionate, and filled with practical tips and wise advice, The Secrets of Happy Families: Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much More should be required reading for all parents.  It is a counter-intuitive book that answers the questions countless parents are asking: How do we manage the chaos of our lives? How do we teach our kids values? How do we make our family happier?

• Don't worry about family dinner.
• Let your kids pick their punishments.
• Ditch the sex talk.
• Cancel date night.

These are just a few of the surprising innovations in this bold first-of-its-kind playbook for today's families. Bestselling author and New York Times family columnist Bruce Feiler found himself squeezed between caring for aging parents and raising his children. So he set out on a three-year journey to find the smartest solutions and the most cutting-edge research about families. Instead of the usual family "experts," he sought out the most creative minds—from Silicon Valley to the set of Modern Family, from the country's top negotiators to the Green Berets—and asked them what team-building exercises and problem-solving techniques they use with their families. Feiler then tested these ideas with his wife and kids. The result is a fun, original look at how families can draw closer together, complete with two hundred never-before-seen best practices.

Written in a charming, accessible style, The Secrets of Happy Families is smart, funny, and fresh, and will forever change how your family lives every day.

Listen to the NPR interview HERE.

Jackie says: 
"I had a rather unconventional childhood, with parents who became parents at the age of 16 and 18, but didn't have me until 17 years after my youngest brother was born.  I was always fascinated with other peolpe's families—the one's where all the kids are kids at the same time.  I guess I'm still trying to figure how families like that work. Or don't. Feiler got the idea for this book during a rough patch in his own family life, which involved his wife and young twin daughters. He's done what he's always done when writing about the topic—epic and years-long research.  But this time, he convinced his family to join him in experiments (at varying levels of cooperation and enthusiasm, as you might suspect). Looking beyond psychologists and family therapists, he took his research to some unlikely places to learn about improving family dynamics: Silicon Valley, the Green Berets, Warren Buffet's bankers to name only a few. He says, "I set out to write an anti-parenting parenting book."  It's all about trying new things, working together, shifting power and generally trying to be a team.  It's often funny and always highly interesting.  I even picked up a few ideas for making things better in some non-family group situations I'm involved in, so I do not consider this book to be for parents only.  I think everyone can learn quite a bit from this book, and I happily urge you to read it."

Bruce Feiler will be discussing and signing his new book tomorrow evening, Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at our Highlands Ranch store.  Get more info HERE.