Fed Up with Frenzy: Slow Parenting in a Fast-Moving World by Susan Sachs Lipman
Worn out from a life of arranged playdates, lessons, and sports practices, Susan Sachs Lipman began to look at the effects of over-scheduling on today's family. She found that despite all the organizing and hovering, many of us go about the task of parenting relatively alone and unfulfilled. Susan shows how she eased a slower pace into her daughter's daily routine, still keeping her involved in activities. Her book shares how to cultivate a life filled with creativity and play, and an enjoyment of small observations and moments that comes from slowing down enough to notice them. ($15 at Amazon)
Plastic Free - How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too by Beth Terry
Beth Terry's book, made from entirely plasticfree materials, is the perfect addition to your family's eco resources. With praise from No Impact Man and Jack Johnson, this part-story, part-how to guide shows how to eliminate plastic from your family's routine. Many of the steps are so easy, you'll never look back. Others may be drastic, but undoubtedly worth the effort to both the health of your home and the planet. ($14 at Amazon) 27