Don't Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Family: Simple Ways to Keep Daily Responsibilities and Household Chaos from Taking Over Your Life

by Richard Carlson

In Don't Sweat The Small Stuff with Your Family, we see how not to let small annoyances in our home lives get us down. From defusing kids who are whining or fighting, to working out issues with a spouse, to reducing the hassles over household chores, Richard Carlson shows us ways to make our relationships at home - the place where it counts most - more peaceful and loving.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Parenting, Family, Relationships, Personal Development, Psychology

273 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Richard Carlson was an American author, psychotherapist, and motivational speaker. His book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and it's all Small Stuff (1997), was USA Today's bestselling book for two consecutive years and spent over 101 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. It was published in 135 countries and translated into Latvian, Polish, Icelandic, Serbian and 26 other languages. Carlson went on to write 20 books.

Reviews

[Innes Chalmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Dr Carlson's book "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff" years ago. I don't go in much for self-help books but I kept going back to that one. Its short, digestible and good-humoured chapters were a tonic to me - and I've tried to put them into practice.

I suppose the author fell into the common practice of having a good idea and then writing a series of books that rehash that idea, and I'm sure Dr C would say, "guilty as charged". However, this follow-up, which applies his earlier principles to family life is worth the modest time it takes to read it.

In a sad, ironic twist, he signs off chapter 100 with the encouragement to say every goodbye to your family as if its your last. He died, aged 45 in 2006, from a pulmonary embolism during a flight from San Francisco to New York. I know he'll have bid Kristine, Jasmine and Kenna a fond farewell.

[Kassie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone (including myself!) could read, remember, and internalize everything in this book, every single day. SO many great things to think about. Simple ways to improve our lives and our relationships. Definitely one I want to re-read often, and try to constantly implement in my life!

[Kefaya Al Mubarak · Rating 5 out of 5]

١٠٠ نصيحة رائعةٌ .. هي فحوى كتاب #لا_تهتم_بصغائر_الأمور_مع أسرتك لمؤلفه #ريتشارد_كارلسون..
أسلوب مميز.. وراقٍ.. وعملي.. هو خلاصة تجربة المؤلف مع عائلته المكونة من زوجة مساندة ومتفهمة وابنتين مشاكستين.. تجربة حياة واقعية مليئة بالمغامرة والمتعة والتعلم من الأخطاء..
وجدته كتابًا جديرًا بالقراءة لكل الآباء والأمهات..

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

تحياتي
كفاية
١٩ اغسطس ٢٠١٧


اهم الاقتباسات:

*عندما كان يمر بي وقت صعبٌ مع طفلتي كان المخرج دائمًا أن يعبر كل منا للآخر عن حبه، وهكذا تستمر الحياة*

*إن المشاعر لا يمكن تأجيلها، حيث إن لها ميعادًا مناسبًا ومكانًا محددًا، وحينما تتواجد هذه المشاعر، فإما نهتم بها في ساعتها أو أن تفقد هذه الفرصة وتترك جرحًا في النفوس، وإذا راعيتها بحب واحترام، فإنك تضيف إلى الحب والمودة اللذان يغلفان علاقتك*

رغبة طفلك في ان يروي لك قصة ورغبة شريكة حياتك ان تشاركها يومها تعتبر لحظات ثمينة وفرصا للمشاركة والتواصل وخلق الذكريات، قد تحتاج الحديقة إلى تشذيب ولكنها يمكن ان تنتظر

[Lara Mckee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay- nothing earth-shattering. I tried to read one tip each night before bed and then try to incorporate the tip during my day the next day. There were a few ideas I liked: Develop Your Own Reset Button; Stop Exchanging Horror Stories; Think Of Something You Did Right Today; Surrender To The Fact That There's Always Something To Do; and Become Less Easily Bothered. The author was asked to describe the average person in a few words and he chose "easily bothered". I thought that was clever and have now written on my bedroom mirror in dry-erase marker "Become Less Easily Bothered".

[Raneen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book! Definitely one I would love to re-read every now and then.

[Hope Irvin Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last night as I finished reading this book, what came to my mind was the once popular song,. ""Let There Be Peace on Earth" by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller. The subtitle aptly summarizes the 100 ways readers can foster harmony in their families. Readers will have no trouble relating to the situations discussed in each pithy entry.
Though my husband and I weren't blessed with children, I can see how families with youngsters will relate to the situations discussed in many of the chapters. The overall message is the same one Jesus taught, "Do unto others as you'd have them do to you."

Hope Irvin Marston, author of THE WALLS HAVE EARS: A BLACK SPY IN THE CONFEDERATE WHITE HOUSE

[Jonathan-David Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple advice for life in a family. Out of the 100 things there probably weren't more than 10 that I don't already know of and try to do, but it's good to be reminded. Also, since I already know of/do most of them, it was also good to feel pleased with myself.

A few of the things seemed like filler to me, since the author wanted a book of 100 things. Probably would have been better to go with 90 and leave out a few that are similar to others.

For anybody who frequently feels stressed about family life (which is probably most of us), I think you would find this book to be helpful.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that most of the content seems obvious, yet none of us do what Carlson suggests. There are 100 chapters, with each chapter briefly explaining a principle to keep life stress-free at home. It's a great book, however, I think I would be able to apply it more if I read one chapter a week and worked on that principle.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of my favorites:

#14 Encourage boredom in your children

#47 When someone asks you how you are, don't emphasize how busy you are

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Family is a good book, but it should probably be read slowly. I read it in one sitting and finished it a little overwhelmed.

Basically, love your kids, take care of yourself and keep your life simple.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather simplistic but some very important points. A good book to read when day to dat stuff is keeping you from the big picture. The big word to take away is responsibility.

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to reread this book as I'm going to be moving closer to my family. It's chuck full of wise advice.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was similar to Dr. Carlson’s first installment, but this one has to do with not sweating the small stuff with your family. Like the first book, there were a lot of good things to remember and implement in your daily life to make it more peaceful and relaxed. And even though this book centered on one’s home life, I found a lot of the tips to be applicable to other aspects of one’s life as well, like when you’re at work, dealing with friends, or in any tough situation. I really liked the chapters on thinking of taking care of your home like painting the bridge, refusing to let it bug you, experiencing calm surrender, taking it as it comes, recognizing when someone doesn’t have an eye for something, and looking for incremental improvement. Honestly, every chapter in this book is very valuable and I wish I could internalize all of them every day. Dr. Carlson really encourages you to let things go by staying healthy, keeping love alive in your home, and appreciating everything that you have. I loved the messages in this book and I think they are very helpful if you want to carry out a pleasant and stress-free life.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff has 100 key points of advice for living a better life with your family. Each of these points is explained in detail throughout the book. There is a lot of great advice in this book that I have been able to apply to my life. Some of the techniques have made me a more understanding person and a better wife. Though I find the book useful, some of the explanations can be repetitive and boring. It took me time to finish the book, because there is so much information and so many explanations.

Even though it takes time, the information is worth reading. If you actually take the information in, it can have a positive impact on your life. I would recommend this book to all families.

[Victoria Beige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do Not Sweat The Small: Book: Personal Development. Managment, business.

"National Enquirer": "Money Do Not Grow On Trees.

Do Not Sweat The Small Stuff: Chicken Soup for The Soul: competitors. "National Enquirer: Stock Market Investor: Dalio and the Author of Chicken Soup For the Soul are competitors.

I have not read this edition of Do Not Sweat The Small Stuff: the: " Snowball effect. The "Oprah Effect". The Universe said there is one Oprah Winfrey: Oprah Winfrey's Book Club: Maybe Oprah will choose to discuss this book.

Oprah Vernon Winfrey is an integrationist: Oprah Wonfrey's Book Club is integrationist. She turned 66 this year. She lives in California. You can email Oprah Winfrey Oprah@gmail.com. Thanks.

[Zach Koenig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a white-elephant Christmas gift despite not being married or having any children. Thus, despite picking up a few nuggets of wisdom, much of author Carlson's material here just wasn't for me.

For those in large families, however, I can easily see how some of Carlson's suggestions could be very helpful and worthwhile to ponder in order to decrease the stress level of the everyday household.

That being said, most of the advice given from this book is so simple that it borders on common sense. Only those who are truly overwhelmed by life (although perhaps that constitutes a larger percentage of the population than I think) will really be "revolutionized" by this book.

[Niranjana Sundararajan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Went through it cursorily. Not relevant to me. Good tips for parents/families to implement together I suppose, but not so much for individuals to improve their contributions to the household.

Some tips were just good reminders for things that I already practice - avoid negative conversations, talk about work/people/things in the positive, don't exaggerate work or the impact of excess work to be done, if needed do more than your share of chores without complaints, give people a day or two off, offer help, appreciate help etc etc etc. Vvv practical stuff.

Definitely pick it up if you're a parent or an older member of the family.

[Alicia McCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really liked the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff books since I was a teenager. I feel like I’ve implemented a lot of his recommendations into my life and they’ve had a positive impact. This book was a bit sad to read knowing he died young and without warning - especially the last tip, to treat your family members as if it’s the last time you’ll see them. I’ve always loved slowly reading through his various books and will continue to do so! I think Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in Love (and the first one I read for teenagers) are my two favourites. This one was pretty good too though!

[Jerry Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Be a better listener. You'd be surprised at how much women just want their opinions to be valued without interruption.

One of the many ways to define unhappiness is the difference between where you are and where you want to be or the difference between what is and what you expect or demand. Things are not going to change anytime soon. Take heartfelt action. (64)

Tips for maneuvering family conflict. Good for anyone with a family or a wife.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the same fashion as Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work, Carlson lists 100 different things you can do to minimize stress from causing undue extra issues in your personal life as well.

A lot of the pointers are quite similar in nature to the work environment. Don't get me wrong, there are still a few a-ha moments and things that ring true, but overall the guidelines seemed similar in nature just applied to a different situation.

[Daniel Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff With Your Family” is a wonderful resource for learning simple, practical strategies for developing fit families. Whether you live by yourself, a roommate, your parents, and/or have children or not, this book can help you improve your relationships with anyone and everyone and will help you live a more peaceful, joyous life.

[Jerrine Regester · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book on my bookshelf "forever"! It was time to donate it so I gave it a once over. Timeless recommendations and reminders to be more present, listen, truly listen, and become less irritable by letting things go. Is as true now as when this book was written.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar content to Carlson's original Don't Sweat the Small Stuff book. I loved the original. This book is also full of good ideas, but is a bit repetitive at times. Both books make excellent daily readers for positive life habits.

[Alberto Vernacchio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy read, think one or two sittings, and has useful common sense ideas we all know but don’t always utilize. A bit overdrawn and probably could have been condensed a bit but I enjoyed the book for what it is :100 quick ideas of how not to sweat the small stuff at home. Recommended

[Batool AK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice, but nothing groundbreaking. Mostly just reminds us of what's important

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good daily reminders & tidbits to mull over. Got a little long around the last 50 pages.

[Aoaomu · Rating 4 out of 5]

مفيد ومختصر

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical, helpful, insightful. A good read anytime.

[Kevin Bartko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the book for its basic principles. I felt those provided and good examples made for an excellent read. I recommend it and truly believe it will make a difference in your family life.

[David Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I had read this when my kids were young.

[Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought I would give this a go as I enjoyed others in this series. This book is really more for married couples with kids. If you are single, you might pick up a few good tips, but not many.