Disclosure: I received these books in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Reminisce on your childhood for a moment. What moments gave you the best memories?  How did your family’s dynamics shape you as an adult?   On Savings in Seconds, I’ve shared many stories about my formative years as well as my trials as a mom.  Our family life is a work in constant progress with some days of backsliding.  The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler is the guide book I never realized we needed.  Author Bruce Feiler is the kind of guy you’d like to invite over for dinner.  The book is extremely down to earth, even with the statistics and research thrown in for good measure.  In addition, it’s really helpful for providing meaningful advice to parents.   The strategies in this book could even be used in the classroom, office, or another setting where people are expected to cooperate with each other.  I guess that covers pretty much any scenario!

As I read, I kept thinking that if every family could employ just one new strategy from this book, imagine the consequences!  The ripple effect throughout the world would be phenomenal.  That may seem like an exaggeration, but there are many children out there who have never been exposed to good parenting or nurturing.  Simple things such as kids knowing how their parents met are mentioned as key factors in a child’s ability to cope with stressful situations. That sounds strange, right?  But think beyond the obvious.  Some children today don’t see their parents at all for various reasons. Mom could be working double shifts to make ends meet, or the children are being raised by other family members.  That lack of a close relationship between parents and children only makes the gap wider in terms of family support.  I wholeheartedly embrace Feiler’s suggestions and plan to integrate some of his ideas in our family life.  It’s sad that many of the parents who most desperately need this book won’t ever take the time to read it.

Another helpful book for those trying to strengthen family bonds — 101 Conversation Starters for Families.  This little gem is useful for families of every shape and size. I daresay that it’s also practical for general social interaction, NOT just for families.  While most of the questions are vague or widely open-ended, some are very specific or almost multiple-choice format.  As your kids talk with you, they learn important social skills such as listening with good body language, responding at appropriate moments, and considering new ideas.  Here are some ways to use the book with your family:

• Remember my post about the two-way journal that you could start with your kids?  These conversation starters are perfect to use as journal starters.
• Take the book in the car to use on road trips. When you turn off an exit, have the kids turn to that number conversation starter in preparation for the moment when you get back in the car.
• Put the book in your purse for the times when you’re waiting (restaurants, doctor’s office, practices, etc)
• Tear the pages out (shock!!!) and use them as little lunchbox notes. The kids will have something to talk about at their lunch tables!
• Write the conversation starter on funny places your child will see in the morning.  Examples – on the bathroom mirror with lipstick, on the outside of an orange or banana peel with a Sharpie, or on their toothbrushes.

Although some of the tips might seem like common sense, anyone who works with kids (or the general public, for that matter) knows that some homes don’t have anything close to what’s considered a happy family.  It’s nice to have resources like The Secrets of Happy Families, and 101  Conversation Starters for Families, to provide some support.