I haven’t read a book quite like it. As I read it, I felt like I was interacting with an entire community. Just like a blog. That’s it! The Planning With Kids Book is just like a blog in a book. It comes alive as you read it which is an amazing and unique combination! Let me tell you about it.
About Nicole Avery
Firstly, I want to tell you about the author, Nicole Avery. I call her Nic. She’s warm, friendly, down to earth and approachable. Here we are at the recent Melbourne Bloggers Brunch and Sydney Aussie Bloggers Conference (pictured below). We’ve only met a few times in person, but I feel I know Nic because I read her blog. She’s married to a supportive man and they have five unique and amazing children. The book is personal, so you feel like Nicole is there chatting with you over a cup of tea, and there’s plenty of helpful advice, presented in a easy to digest way. Read more about Nicole here: About Nicole Avery.
About the Book
Planning With Kids (the book) is all about organising a family so there’s time for family fun. It’s based on Nicole’s blog of the same name. There is vast amounts of useful information about planning in the book, but for me, it was more than that. There’s a holistic approach to the book that’s not limited to organisation strategies. I’ll venture to say the book gives a comprehensive guide to family life. It’s not so much about parenting as it is about the beauty that is family. That is what struck me.I finished the book with renewed excitement about making plans for my own family. I can’t remember last time a book did that for me.
I found myself constantly nodding as I read because it makes so much sense. Here are some lines that jumped out at me:
“Keep it simple, start small and focus on the basics.”
“Spending all my time focusing on the ‘now’ made me feel as though I was always in catch-up mode.”
“We still do have moments of mess, fighting and tears, but planning has made managing these moments easier and less frequent.”
“It’s with gradual steps that we make changes to our daily life so we can spend more time being with the kids, rather than doing for the kids.”
“Plan time for yourself, your kids, your partner and most importantly plan time for fun!”
The book covers a whole range of topics including age related stages, holidays, birthday parties, meal planning, spending time with your spouse, routines, and much more.
Community
Remember I said reading the book is like participating in a community? Well, the book is filled with excerpts from readers of the Planning With Kids Blog. I feel privileged to be in it (on page 110). It’s a book where regular Mums and Dads share their experiences, so as I read it, I felt I was in a room full of warm people chatting out their family. I was encouraged, not only by Nic, and the way she openly shared about her parenting experiences, but by the many others who shared in the book.
Last Word
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Planning With Kids Book. It’s easy to read, a section at a time, and also engaging so you can sit for long periods and take it all in. Yes, it’s a book about planning, but it’s also a book that inspires the reader to invest in the gift of family life. And that, is very beautiful.
Particulars
The book was published by Wright Books
Find out where to buy the book here: Buy the Book
Giveaway
***Giveaway ended. Winner has been notified by email. Congratulations!***
I’m so happy to be able to give a book away to a Be A Fun Mum reader. I know you’ll love it! All you need to do is leave a comment below.
1. Open to Australian Residents only
2. Competition open 10 June to 17 June 2011
3. I will decide the winner using random.org
4. The winner will be notified via email.
Links
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What a great looking book….sounds like something I definitely need in my life, I have added it to my wishlist:)
Sounds fantastic! Here’s hoping a bit of randomness comes my way!! Am off to check out the link now!
Book sounds great…i’d love to win !!!!
Having just given birth to my third child in 4 years, this book is exactly what I need right now!
Would love a book like this. Especially being a first time mum it would probably be real handy…
Would love to win this book….it looks fab
What a great review! I’m always inspired by those that make life seem so much easier, when our loved children come into our lives. I’m off to read nic’s blog now. Thank you!
This sounds like the answer to my prayers. Thanks for reviewing this book, I was assured the solution to my problem would appear and it seems it just has!
Sounds like a great book, Kell!
Love that line: ““We still do have moments of mess, fighting and tears, but planning has made managing these moments easier and less frequent.”
Planning really is the key, isn’t it?
x
Aw this is So what I need! I’m a working mom and can so relate to having this chaos in my life. Sometimes it feels that there I am loosing control and loosing out on my kid’s lives. thank you for giving us working folk hope, and showing us you can have it all!
It is always chaos here, having a bit of organised chaos would be a godsend.
Knowing how to get that is a struggle, would be fabulous to get a copy of the book to help out with tips and tricks to getting organised.
I love the idea of this book, having just found out that my boy has apergers and trying to work full time and run a home business things get way too chaotic round here for us both.
What an amazing idea
I think a book like this would be a great tool. I have 3 kids going to 4 schools with extracurricular activities abounding. Their father is often working overseas which is disrupting for my youngest (Autistic son) When the family are able to be together, we are often too tired to arrange fun times out or in. This book has the potential to simplify together times.
Sounds like a fantastic book. Anything which helps people improve their quality time with family is worth its weight in gold.
what a fantastic idea, there are alot of things that need to be written in a book, so that others dont stay stuck in the choas that can happen
Sounds like a wonderful resource. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Just having our third bub is making me realize more that it’s about making the most of all the small opportunities to invest time with the kids, especially when life is chaos at times. Sounds like a great read!
This is one book I NEED to read!
it sounds like a really good read, and helpful to =D
I love her website, it is very informative. I often head over there to find some ideas or recipes to do with the many children in my life. she is amazing
Sounds like an awesome book, I think every parent I know could do with a copy !
I would LOVE this book! As a defense wife recently relocated, living in a tiny apartment in freezing cold,wet Melbourne I’d love some ideas for what to do with my toddler!
WOW! what a great book. I would love to win a copy for my dauhter, she has just had her first daughter. I would even love a copy for myself I do Family Day Car and I think it would come in very handy : )
Looks like a great book to keep family life fun and interesting!
What a wonderful book and wonderful lady xxx
sounds like a great book would love to win a copy
Great review! Sounds like just the book I need with 3 kids under 4
Id love to win this book. With 3 kids I find planning a very big part of life but im not very good at it lol
I would absolutely love to win this book, as I have baby no. 4 on the way, and any extra help would be wonderful!!
Wow, what a wonderful resource! Great work.
Oh I’d love a copy of the book – and winning one would be SUPER!
Beautiful photos of beautiful people
Kelly, now that you’ve helped me learn to appreciate more in my day with “loving the moment” 
, it’s time for me to move on from damage control in other areas. The free lists that I received when I subscribed to Nicole’s newsletter via her blog have been so helpful!
I pride myself on my organization but since having my third child I am struggling most days. Would love a fresh approach to finding time to really enjoy my young family.
I’ve been following Nicole’s blog for quite some time now. I have learnt so much – would love to get my hands on her book too
Would be great to help me entertain my 2 and 3 yr old boys
Looks Fab xx
Your blog inspires me so much already, I’d love to see what your wonderful new book can do for me too!!
This sounds like an amazing book, as a first time mum I at times feel I struggle to get some balance in my life, either way I can’t wait to read this book.
Sounds like a brilliant book. Good luck everybody!
I cant wait to get this book sounds like just what i need
What a great looking book… i guess we ALL need one!
Wow, I have just found your site, what a fantastic resource. There is so much great info to use with my own child and the Daycare children I educate.
I really need all the help I can get with trying to organise two wonderful children, and this book sounds fantastic.
this book looks very handy to have around. would be great to win it
Sounds like a must have for very mum. Would love to win it!
I think we’d greatly benefit from this book, would be great to win!
What a fantastic idea for a book. I can’t wait to read more…I know heaps of people who have some great ideas as well. I say, listen to each other and your children, then make the rest up and always have fun!!
Its so nice to hear of other mums that r so family orientated & of their kids being their no1!!! Life is too short to not enjoy every minute of every day with our little cuties that grow up so fast!! Love the sound of your book & all ur great points, tips & advice
Sounds like a great book! Hope I’m not too late to be in the running
I would love to win a book to help me planning for my first child!
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