In Episode 94, I talk about why I wrote my new book, Happy Campers- Nine Summer Camp Secrets For Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults, why I changed to a ‘less is more’ style of parenting, how the book is set up, who I wrote the book for, how I want people to use the book, and what we’re going to be doing in the Happy Campers Book Club this summer!
Why I wrote Happy Campers
I wrote Happy Campers because I’ve had a lifelong interest in child development and positive psychology, and just understanding what makes people flourish.
A lot of the things we do at summer camp can be taken home and used at home to help kids just connect with each other and with their parents, and have a lot more fun at home.
I realized, about five years into parenting, that I needed to bring more of my camp techniques home. And really simple things that we train our camp counselors to do, parents can easily bring home.
I’ve been noticing in the past few decades, it just seems like kids and parents are struggling a lot more with all kinds of different things.
You don’t have to do any crazy big changes in your family to get some really positive outcomes.
I tried to synthesize into this one book some of the higher-level ideas and really simple strategies that I really think that parents and teachers, and really anyone that works with kids, can use to build a stronger relationship with kids and help them develop the character traits and skills that they need in order to be thriving adults.
Why I changed to a “Less is More” parenting style
Even the volunteer thing can go awry when you do too much of it.
Working parents are trying so hard to do everything well that we do a little too much of everything.
One of my fundamental philosophies that I’ve learned is that less is more, and the famous put on your own oxygen mask first.
I’m so glad that I learned before it was too late, that to be a great parent doesn’t mean that you have to be doing this stuff all the time.
Read more about my philosophy in my post 10 Ways to do LESS and be a MORE Effective Parent.
How is Happy Campers set up?
The first chapter is Connection Comes First and that’s the foundation of the book.
The last secret is Coaching Kids To Better Friendship Skills, so the bookends of the book are both about connection and relationship.
We’ve learned at camp that kids won’t listen to us or even follow our advice, unless they first know that we really care about them as people.
Sometimes we get so fixated on all the things our kids need to do, and we want them to do, and we forget that in the end what’s really important is that we just have this great relationship that will last.
One Simple Thing, at the end of each chapter, is really just about a change in yourself in either something that you can try to think differently about or a little thing that you can do that will help you relate better to your kids.
I’ve found that oftentimes writing a note is more effective than repeatedly saying something. And it’s not overwhelming or daunting to write a sticky note.
I wanted to make the book just really simple little things that are really do-able and don’t feel too daunting. And I also really don’t want people to try everything in the book.
Listen to my interview on the Mom Writes podcast where Abby shares her sticky note story.
How do you want people to use Happy Campers?