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When More is Not Enough - How to Stop Giving Your Kids What They Want and Give Them What They Need
When more is not enough, what is?
Amy L. Sullivan believes no one loves harder and more completely than children. She also believes selfies, cell phones, must-have tech gadgets, and the sparkly allure of possessions lull kids into an insatiable desire for more.
When More is Not Enough celebrates the idea of more: more prayers cried out, more time spent together, more use of our talents, more interest in strangers, more forgiveness of hurt, more of what Jesus taught us each day of His life. This book focuses on helping children grow generous hearts, tender spirits, and a deep compassion for others.
Filled with biblical reasoning, real-life anecdotes, practical resources, and start-this-very-second activities, When More is Not Enough is for families who are ready to move from seeing generosity as a series of tasks and instead, turn it into a way life.
Amy L. Sullivan believes no one loves harder and more completely than children. She also believes selfies, cell phones, must-have tech gadgets, and the sparkly allure of possessions lull kids into an insatiable desire for more.
When More is Not Enough celebrates the idea of more: more prayers cried out, more time spent together, more use of our talents, more interest in strangers, more forgiveness of hurt, more of what Jesus taught us each day of His life. This book focuses on helping children grow generous hearts, tender spirits, and a deep compassion for others.
Filled with biblical reasoning, real-life anecdotes, practical resources, and start-this-very-second activities, When More is Not Enough is for families who are ready to move from seeing generosity as a series of tasks and instead, turn it into a way life.
140 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2014
24 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Amy L. Sullivan
7 books45 followersAmy L. Sullivan is a northern girl who found herself living in the South. She loves early mornings, dangly earrings, and the underdog.
Connect with her at AmyLSullivan.com
Connect with her at AmyLSullivan.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 21, 2014
I read "When More is Not Enough - How to Stop Giving Your Kids What They Want and Give Them What They Need" in a single sitting, and I have to tell you, this book is GREAT. Really, really great. And much, much-needed. Amy Sullivan is funny, authentic and so, so relatable. She gives you the whole story of what it was like to begin to change the culture in her household from "me, me, me" to a more serving/giving focus, and it's not always pretty or perfect. You'll laugh at her foibles, you'll nod along with her frustrations and challenges, but most importantly, you'll come away with an invigorated passion for serving and giving, along with concrete, hands-on suggestions for how to gently but definitively change the culture in your own household.
This book is short - you can read it in a couple of hours -- but it is chock-full of real stories and real solutions and resources to help you combat the pervasive "more, more, me, me!" attitude that's running rampant in your household (if your household is anything like mine, that is). If you have kids, grandkids or any kids in your life, for that matter, this book is a must-read. You will dog-ear pages, underline resources and head straight to the computer to explore new ideas and possibilities for ways to involve your whole family in serving. I am so grateful to Amy Sullivan and this book for giving me a place to start and a plan to guide me and my family along the way.
This book is short - you can read it in a couple of hours -- but it is chock-full of real stories and real solutions and resources to help you combat the pervasive "more, more, me, me!" attitude that's running rampant in your household (if your household is anything like mine, that is). If you have kids, grandkids or any kids in your life, for that matter, this book is a must-read. You will dog-ear pages, underline resources and head straight to the computer to explore new ideas and possibilities for ways to involve your whole family in serving. I am so grateful to Amy Sullivan and this book for giving me a place to start and a plan to guide me and my family along the way.
September 17, 2014
I love this book for many reasons, but in order to keep you reading, I'm sharing my top 3.
1. It is not guilt-inducing. I am constantly trying to gauge whether I'm doing enough and teaching my kids how to give enough, so my normal M.O. is to read a book about service and declare my efforts "not good enough." But Amy, from the very beginning, assures me the intention of this book is to simply inspire, to create a place for the Holy Spirit to reveal new ideas, old hangups, and to give me courage to step out in faith...not just on my own abilities or in my own comfort zone.
2. The burden of giving and serving in my family does not fall solely on my shoulders. As the "event planner" of the family, I realized that our serving efforts are based on my ideas and pretty much my ideas alone. Amy's helpful sections at the end of the chapters called "Dinner Table Dialogue" give me specific questions we can discuss as a family so that it's all a team effort - from beginning to end, from the planning stages to the action stages.
3. Amy is real - she shares her own struggles with giving from money to forgiveness. Since she is willing to tackle the hard issues in her own life, she is able to open us up to the idea of tacking hard issues in our own. Her testimony of freedom is quite effective and makes me think that perhaps my own hang-ups are hurting more than just me.
1. It is not guilt-inducing. I am constantly trying to gauge whether I'm doing enough and teaching my kids how to give enough, so my normal M.O. is to read a book about service and declare my efforts "not good enough." But Amy, from the very beginning, assures me the intention of this book is to simply inspire, to create a place for the Holy Spirit to reveal new ideas, old hangups, and to give me courage to step out in faith...not just on my own abilities or in my own comfort zone.
2. The burden of giving and serving in my family does not fall solely on my shoulders. As the "event planner" of the family, I realized that our serving efforts are based on my ideas and pretty much my ideas alone. Amy's helpful sections at the end of the chapters called "Dinner Table Dialogue" give me specific questions we can discuss as a family so that it's all a team effort - from beginning to end, from the planning stages to the action stages.
3. Amy is real - she shares her own struggles with giving from money to forgiveness. Since she is willing to tackle the hard issues in her own life, she is able to open us up to the idea of tacking hard issues in our own. Her testimony of freedom is quite effective and makes me think that perhaps my own hang-ups are hurting more than just me.
September 16, 2014
This book is so needed in an entitlement age! The reasoning behind what the author advocates, and the self-effacing humor in which she offers it, make this book readable, entertaining, and deeply spiritual at the same time. A lot to say for such a quick read! But you will want to refer back to it again and again after reading it once.
The author does several things well in this book. She gives talking points for families so that they can not only go out and do volunteer work together, but they can discuss it. Families talk together to learn why they are volunteering, what they enjoy most, what is meaningful to each member, and more. The author leads parents through how to find what works best for them, and why.
Ms. Sullivan offers simple, “we can do this now” ideas and plans to make sure that family volunteering is not just talked about but actually done. It's so easy to get out and do something—anything--she mentions. Also, she supplies an extensive resource list to find more ideas and opportunities.
Jill Richardson, author of Don't Forget to Pack the Kids
The author does several things well in this book. She gives talking points for families so that they can not only go out and do volunteer work together, but they can discuss it. Families talk together to learn why they are volunteering, what they enjoy most, what is meaningful to each member, and more. The author leads parents through how to find what works best for them, and why.
Ms. Sullivan offers simple, “we can do this now” ideas and plans to make sure that family volunteering is not just talked about but actually done. It's so easy to get out and do something—anything--she mentions. Also, she supplies an extensive resource list to find more ideas and opportunities.
Jill Richardson, author of Don't Forget to Pack the Kids
May 2, 2019
This was a fabulous book! I picked it up thinking it was going to be about minimalism, but it was about service and giving and being generous.
It talked some about how to involve your kids, but the focus was on how you can change yourself to be an example for them. For this reason, I think it would be a great resource for more than parents.
The author was funny and relatable. The first half of the book really spoke to me. The second half wasn't as valuable, but still well done. There are very useful resources in the back of the book. This is definitely one I would recommend!
It talked some about how to involve your kids, but the focus was on how you can change yourself to be an example for them. For this reason, I think it would be a great resource for more than parents.
The author was funny and relatable. The first half of the book really spoke to me. The second half wasn't as valuable, but still well done. There are very useful resources in the back of the book. This is definitely one I would recommend!
September 17, 2014
Of all the strengths of this book, Amy Sulliva's voice might be the most moving. She is transparent, down-to-earth, generous, and funny. Her faith is authentic and it shows itself through her words. This is a book to use not only for ourselves, but with our families. I loved the ideas for home, community, and the greater world especially drawing our families toward dinner table dialogue. Her ideas challenge us to abandon the term of youth entitlement and that is something we can all applaud. Families that are brave enough to show up in love will make a difference.
I also love the fresh take on service. Sometimes powerful service can emerge through prayer, rest and forgiveness. That is a beautiful invitation. She also reminds us that part of giving is also the ability to receive, as she herself experienced when her daughter was on oxygen for the first three and half years of her life.
Putting her words into practice, all the proceeds of this book will benefit Transformation Village, a ministry for woman and children. This is generosity and this shapes a beautiful life.
I also love the fresh take on service. Sometimes powerful service can emerge through prayer, rest and forgiveness. That is a beautiful invitation. She also reminds us that part of giving is also the ability to receive, as she herself experienced when her daughter was on oxygen for the first three and half years of her life.
Putting her words into practice, all the proceeds of this book will benefit Transformation Village, a ministry for woman and children. This is generosity and this shapes a beautiful life.
Read
October 4, 2014 Teaching your family how to give back, it’s the subject of magazine articles every holiday season. In When More Is Not Enough, Amy goes far beyond the cookie cutter advice of “buy less expensive Christmas presents and spend Thanksgiving at the soup kitchen.” When More Is Not Enough is full of personal examples of how the Sullivan family turned around their materialistic worldview to reach out to and love the “least of these.” Rather than sounding preachy, When More Is Not Enough was inspiring and kept me turning pages. I especially appreciated that Amy works full time, is a mom, and an author so she understands the pressures of a busy life. Her advice is realistic and manageable. You’ll discover ways to reach out to others while not turning your back on your personal talents and desires.
September 21, 2014
I read When More Is Not Enough straight through in one sitting....it was amazing. But I am going to go back and refer to it again and again, because it is the kind of book that you can take parts and pieces, and use them as needed. Amy Sullivan wrote the perfect mix of inspiration, fun, honesty, resources, family, cute stuff, tough talk, and unexpected roadside births. THIS is the book people need to get started in transforming the focus of their hearts and families to bringing change and service into the world. Never preachy, she invites you to start small, promises you aren't the only one who will make mistakes, and encourages you to find ways to serve that fit into your families' talents.
September 16, 2014
This powerhouse is packed with pages to inspire and encourage you in your journey toward more conscious living. If you're a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, teacher - really anyone who cares about children - you'll find plenty of ways to live a more meaningful life and inspire the littles in your life to do the same. The author writes as if you're already friends. You'll be drawn in from the start. You'll feel uplifted instead of preached at. You'll feel hopeful instead of burdened. You'll laugh. You'll ponder. You'll be happy you picked this one up. This book is needed more than ever in our consumer-driven world. Definitely worth the read!
September 16, 2014
Reading this book by Amy L. Sullivan feels like you are having a chat with her over a cup of coffee. Her lighthearted, conversational tone makes this an easy read. She offers funny anecdotes, practical advice, and even exercises to help your family move from "takers" to "givers." This is a must-read for any family!
Read
March 6, 2015This book is brief (I read it in about a day), but full of helpful tools for a family who desires to live a life not centered on their own needs. Amy L. Sullivan writes with a conversational, fun tone and makes herself vulnerable to the reader. Every chapter has sustainable activities for families to do in order to serve those around them. I look forward to reading more from Amy in the future.
September 22, 2014
Loved this book!! Amy is funny and honest and shares her family's story on how God changed their hearts to be more generous. Amy encourages the reader to be more generous in serving, praying and loving others like Jesus.
October 16, 2014
Practical, entertaining, Christian, non-preachy, realistic, and anything but sugar-coated. Not to mention an UBERfast read. Modern Bible study groups will love it and wish it was longer. I hope to read more books by this talented author!
May 8, 2015
Great Book, very informational!
January 13, 2016
Great read for anyone raising children. We give children too many things and what they need is more time and a sense of values. This book will open parents eyes to what is really important
April 1, 2023
I like that the author writes the way she talks. Good content, good resources, and implementable ideas in each chapter
April 19, 2015
I acquired an autographed copy of this book in a Goodreads first reads give away. Apparently I didn't read the description closely at all as I didn't realize before hand that it would be such a religiously based book. Even so I thought the book was inspiring. It takes an approach of change yourself and the kids will follow. I think that is a valid and one that often works just like dog training is not really for the dog but is a way to teach the owner how to communicate with the dog so it knows that is expected from it and it can behave better.
I can see how a lot of the tips could be used to inspire one to do many other things, maybe even to follow dreams that they gave kept bottled up for years. This book is definitely from the angle of a more sheltered family style which the author and her husband created for the kids even with the authors previous background and the struggles the family had to endure later on. So in this case I would probably recommend it more to a family who shares that background as they would get a lot more of that "eye-opening" experience from it. I would also recommend it for someone who is already on the path to helping others and needs a little reassurance or push that they are doing the right thing and need to keep doing it.
I would also recommend it to people who are not from that background or doing anything good or even intend to since it could open up one's mind about these families who lead sheltered lifestyles. It would let you know that they are people too with problems just like the rest of us. And the path one family took to change their ways. That is mostly what I took away from the book.
I'm also glad that I read it and it has encouraged me to keep going down the path of doing good for others. :)
I can see how a lot of the tips could be used to inspire one to do many other things, maybe even to follow dreams that they gave kept bottled up for years. This book is definitely from the angle of a more sheltered family style which the author and her husband created for the kids even with the authors previous background and the struggles the family had to endure later on. So in this case I would probably recommend it more to a family who shares that background as they would get a lot more of that "eye-opening" experience from it. I would also recommend it for someone who is already on the path to helping others and needs a little reassurance or push that they are doing the right thing and need to keep doing it.
I would also recommend it to people who are not from that background or doing anything good or even intend to since it could open up one's mind about these families who lead sheltered lifestyles. It would let you know that they are people too with problems just like the rest of us. And the path one family took to change their ways. That is mostly what I took away from the book.
I'm also glad that I read it and it has encouraged me to keep going down the path of doing good for others. :)
May 14, 2016
Excellent and probably not what you expect
Amy Sullivan delivers a practical guide to revolutionize your family's impact in the lives of others. Rather than beating you over the head with a guilty stick, this book inspires and motivates. Probably because Amy practices what she preaches. Each chapter is filled with as much material as many authors stretch into an entire book. You get you money's worth. And you will be excited to get started applying all you have learned.
Amy Sullivan delivers a practical guide to revolutionize your family's impact in the lives of others. Rather than beating you over the head with a guilty stick, this book inspires and motivates. Probably because Amy practices what she preaches. Each chapter is filled with as much material as many authors stretch into an entire book. You get you money's worth. And you will be excited to get started applying all you have learned.
July 14, 2016
This book has great, in-here-with-you, not from-on-high advice and suggestions about how to introduce your kids to the fact that there's a bigger world out there, and the majority of people are not as comfortable as you are. Due to the fact that raising entitled, bratty children keeps me up at night, I found this book to be a fantastic resource, one I'm sure to return to again and again.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews