Family Constitution Review and Giveaway


Are the kids getting out of control? Do you feel like you're struggling with the demands of parenting, work and personal life? Do you wish everyone in the family would Just. Get. Along? Maybe you need a Family Constitution!

In his book, "Your Family Constitution", author Scott Gale introduces a great parenting tool to open up family communication and improve family relations. He starts with an honest personal account of a huge family argument that opened his eyes to the need for change, and goes through the steps he and his family took to create their Family Constitution, which, like the US constitution, contains a set of guiding principles to become the kind of family they want to be.



The book contains lots of useful tips and advice, as well as a lot of funny cartoons to remind us parents that we should all look back and have a laugh now and then. Throughout the book he refers to his 3 principles -- Clarity, Consistency and Commitment -- which helped them formulate their constitution, and he shows readers how these principles can work for their family. At the back of the book you'll find the Gale Family Constitution, which I loved reading because it was a concrete example of what Scott was talking about in the rest of the book. I'm glad he shared it with everyone because it's a great starting point to come up with your own family constitution. Scott's website, http://www.yourfamilyconstitution.com/, also offers a wealth of resources.

I received a copy of "Your Family Constitution" to review, and I've been really inspired to take a step back from all the nagging and yelling and punishing that has been going on, and get our own set of goals and rules written down. I think my 5-year-olds might be a bit too young to help decide what sorts of consequences there should be for behavior (good and bad), but I've been talking with The Pea (who's 8) about it, and she has been really reasonable about it. I'm really very hopeful that she'll understand why Alfie and I do the things we do as parents, and even more important, understand that she has to do her part as well to keep the family running. We've got a long way to go, but thanks to this book, we've got some ideas going and we've the conversation started!

Win this book! Scott has generously offered to give away two copies of "Your Family Constitution" to two lucky Bonggamom Finds readers. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and tell me one item you would like to include in your own family's constitution. Don't forget to leave your email address or some way I can contact you.

For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

1) For THREE extra entries Register for a free account at the Your Family Constitution website and get started on your own Family Constitution (leave 3 separate comments here with your user name).

2) Leave a comment on any of the blog posts on Scott's Family Constitution blog (leave a comment here with the link to the post that you commented on).

3) Leave a comment on any of my blog posts on Finding Bonggamom (leave a comment here with the link to the post that you commented on).

4) Join any of the other giveaways currently running on Bonggamom Finds (leave a comment here with the name of the other giveaway you joined).

5) Tweet this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your tweet). Here is a sample tweet you can copy and paste:

Win a copy of "Your Family Constitution" from @bonggafinds http://tinyurl.com/m4eyry



This giveaway ends at midnight PST on August 8, 2009.; I will draw two winners at random on August 9 and post the winner's name on the comments section soon after. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!

45 Comments, Leave yours here:

admin on July 25, 2009 at 5:02 PM said...

That sounds like a pretty neat book. I have three girls so there tends to be petty arguing. I introduced a new rule where every time a girl is mean she has to do a chore. My house is getting pretty clean! :)

The Merry Death on July 27, 2009 at 2:51 AM said...

Great review. I'd like to include volunteer opportunities in our constitution.
meredycat*lycos*com

Unknown on July 27, 2009 at 9:50 AM said...

I would include "we love and pray for one another". Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown on July 27, 2009 at 9:51 AM said...

I registered at the family constitution website (sunnyview99).

Entry #1

Unknown on July 27, 2009 at 9:51 AM said...

I registered at the family constitution website (sunnyview99).

Entry #2

Unknown on July 27, 2009 at 9:51 AM said...

I registered at the family constitution website (sunnyview99).

Entry #3

Unknown on July 27, 2009 at 9:54 AM said...

I left a comment here:

http://www.yourfamilyconstitution.com/uncategorized/is-your-family-out-of-control-how-do-you-know-how-can-you-fix-it/

Unknown on July 27, 2009 at 9:55 AM said...

I left a comment here:

http://bonggamom.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-in-bag-baby.html

Unknown on July 27, 2009 at 9:56 AM said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/sunnyview99/status/2873308386

debbie78 on July 28, 2009 at 10:10 AM said...

Love to win. Please enter me, thank you

demmi on July 31, 2009 at 9:24 AM said...

I would include we do not put down members of the family to our friends con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Nickolay on July 31, 2009 at 1:48 PM said...

I would include "To clean the outdoors as well"

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Joanna (joanna.price(at)live(dot)com) on July 31, 2009 at 8:50 PM said...

I like the idea of having rules written down!

Joanna (joanna.price(at)live(dot)com) on July 31, 2009 at 8:54 PM said...

Registered for Family Constitution Website

Joanna (joanna.price(at)live(dot)com) on July 31, 2009 at 8:54 PM said...

2- Registered for Family Constitution Website

Joanna (joanna.price(at)live(dot)com) on July 31, 2009 at 8:55 PM said...

3- Registered for Family Constitution Website

Joanna (joanna.price(at)live(dot)com) on July 31, 2009 at 8:55 PM said...

Entered Paper culture giveaway

Joanna (joanna.price(at)live(dot)com) on July 31, 2009 at 8:55 PM said...

Tweeted- http://twitter.com/joannagiveaway/status/3064591343

tatertot374 on August 4, 2009 at 7:04 AM said...

I would love to include pray first before a big decision. Also to treat your siblings better than your friends.
Thank you for the chance
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

wigget on August 5, 2009 at 7:33 AM said...

i'd like it to read "no whining"

Gabriel S-J. on August 5, 2009 at 12:54 PM said...

This would be great for my family.

erma on August 7, 2009 at 5:42 AM said...

I'd include you have to try hard to get along.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Melanie said...

I would have it read that good deeds will be rewarded!



clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

susansmoaks on August 7, 2009 at 12:46 PM said...

i want our family constitution to read that we will do unto others as we would have done unto us.

susansmoaks on August 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM said...

Register for a free account at the Your Family Constitution website

#1

susansmoaks on August 7, 2009 at 12:48 PM said...

Register for a free account at the Your Family Constitution website

#2

susansmoaks on August 7, 2009 at 12:48 PM said...

Register for a free account at the Your Family Constitution website

#3

spookyone23 on August 7, 2009 at 1:21 PM said...

always say please and thankyou

Anonymous said...

Keep a journal/memory book!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Egare1 on August 7, 2009 at 7:08 PM said...

I'd include details specifying everyone's tasks! Then we'd all know who should be doing something, and who to blame if it's not done!

Misusedinnocence on August 7, 2009 at 7:16 PM said...

To never go to bed without saying I love you.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Liz Mays on August 8, 2009 at 12:24 PM said...

I'd like a definite day that's family day.
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net

susan1215 on August 8, 2009 at 1:33 PM said...

No yelling at each other no matter how mad you are

Unknown on August 8, 2009 at 8:06 PM said...

I would include to always treat others with respect. garrettsambo@aol.com

cman on August 8, 2009 at 10:27 PM said...

A daily Prayer :)

Donna on August 8, 2009 at 10:41 PM said...

I would probably include a Bible verse.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna on August 8, 2009 at 10:45 PM said...

I registered on their site.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna on August 8, 2009 at 10:45 PM said...

2.I registered on their site.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna on August 8, 2009 at 10:45 PM said...

3.I registered on their site.
donna444444@yahoo.com

lilyk on August 9, 2009 at 12:26 AM said...

I would like to include fan facts in my family's constitution.

lilyk on August 9, 2009 at 12:35 AM said...

I registered for an account at the Your Family Constitution website with the username lilyk. #1

lilyk on August 9, 2009 at 12:35 AM said...

I registered for an account at the Your Family Constitution website with the username lilyk. #2

lilyk on August 9, 2009 at 12:35 AM said...

I registered for an account at the Your Family Constitution website with the username lilyk. #3

bonggamom on August 9, 2009 at 11:07 AM said...

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered, and congratulations to the winner, FDP 4Life!

santi on June 9, 2010 at 9:49 PM said...

thank for your info

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