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101 Things You Should Do Before Your Kids Leave Home
101 Things You Should Do Before Your Kids Leave Home is packed with ideas and advice designed to help parents prepare their children for life out in the world, while making sure that both parents and kids enjoy every precious moment. From staging a food fight to serving in a soup kitchen, from planning a "tour de neighborhood" bike race to telling family stories, some suggestions are fun, some challenging,and others practical -- but all will inspire parents with ideas for family time before their kids leave the nest.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 15, 2009
The book is written with Christian perspective. So, in the explination for the reason WHY to do each thing there is a piece that brings it all back to God. Not a bad thing-just saying. I like lists of things, so this quick read was just right for me. Although, its amazing how they turned a list of 101 things into a 220 page book.
So, what are the 101 things you should do before your kids leave home? Here they are (in groups of 10 so I can keep them straight):
1.) Plant a family tree, Open a Snow Cone Stand, Teach your kids to write thank you notes, Saily over your house in a hot-air balloon, share family reciepes, Check out life & faith (via internet)in other lands, Build a birdhouse, Make your kids Home movie stars, laugh/dance/cry/sing in front of your kids
10.) Tell your kids when you make a mistake, Wash the car, Watch the sunrise or sunset, treat your kids to only child dates, look for a double rainbow, teach your kids to change diapers, conduct a laundry seminar, show them old folks don't bite, thank a soilder, go to a museum
20.) Join a parade, spend the night at the zoo, go to the Grand Canyon, get a pet, take a virtual vacation, invite neighbors over for dinner/let the kids cook, talk about death and heaven, Sing the family song, make family photo ops, run thru the sprinkler-in regular clothes
30.) Develop and write down your family values, do a 1,000 piece puzzle, hug your kids until they let go, make a big production, climb a mountain, dance in the ocean, explore the backyard w/ a magnifying glass, pick up trash in the park, Serve in a soup kitchen, partice the art of praise
40.) Pray, Car Maintenance workshop, Plant a garden, throw a dart at the map-then go, make a family band, dig for dino bones, start a pillow fight, teach them to love God, explore financial management, say I love you
50.) Go to chruch, ride over the falls, have a family reunion, speak a foreign language at meals, make a family memory book together, talk about sex, drugs, and ETOH, ride a roller coaster, read a classic novel aloud, do chores together, waterproof your kids
60.) Cloud watch, tell jokes, teach your kids how to ride out the storm of life, food fight, movie night, plan a bike race, go to all the games of a favorite sport, teach diet and exercise, walk in the rain with 1 umprella, read a poem together
70) teach how to be quiet and listen, do dilly serendades, nighttime star gazing walk, teach cleanliness, teach them how to study, have a family pen pal, make personal triumphs a family affair, dive with sharks, swim with dolphins, camp in the wild, teach thriftiness
80) dig for clams, foster family friendships, ID what each kid does well, teach conflict managment, write a family letter to the editor, plan a family talent show, get creative in the kitchen, teach organization, let them know you will always be there, fly a kite
90) Teach manners and Etiquette, trace thier sillouette, save the enviornment, Model hard work and self discipline, paper airplain contest, mold foot/hand prints, create a time capusle, camp with a tent indoors, organize a teddy bear search with only flashlights in the dark, make a big kids swing, tell family stories, put a premium on peace
So, what are the 101 things you should do before your kids leave home? Here they are (in groups of 10 so I can keep them straight):
1.) Plant a family tree, Open a Snow Cone Stand, Teach your kids to write thank you notes, Saily over your house in a hot-air balloon, share family reciepes, Check out life & faith (via internet)in other lands, Build a birdhouse, Make your kids Home movie stars, laugh/dance/cry/sing in front of your kids
10.) Tell your kids when you make a mistake, Wash the car, Watch the sunrise or sunset, treat your kids to only child dates, look for a double rainbow, teach your kids to change diapers, conduct a laundry seminar, show them old folks don't bite, thank a soilder, go to a museum
20.) Join a parade, spend the night at the zoo, go to the Grand Canyon, get a pet, take a virtual vacation, invite neighbors over for dinner/let the kids cook, talk about death and heaven, Sing the family song, make family photo ops, run thru the sprinkler-in regular clothes
30.) Develop and write down your family values, do a 1,000 piece puzzle, hug your kids until they let go, make a big production, climb a mountain, dance in the ocean, explore the backyard w/ a magnifying glass, pick up trash in the park, Serve in a soup kitchen, partice the art of praise
40.) Pray, Car Maintenance workshop, Plant a garden, throw a dart at the map-then go, make a family band, dig for dino bones, start a pillow fight, teach them to love God, explore financial management, say I love you
50.) Go to chruch, ride over the falls, have a family reunion, speak a foreign language at meals, make a family memory book together, talk about sex, drugs, and ETOH, ride a roller coaster, read a classic novel aloud, do chores together, waterproof your kids
60.) Cloud watch, tell jokes, teach your kids how to ride out the storm of life, food fight, movie night, plan a bike race, go to all the games of a favorite sport, teach diet and exercise, walk in the rain with 1 umprella, read a poem together
70) teach how to be quiet and listen, do dilly serendades, nighttime star gazing walk, teach cleanliness, teach them how to study, have a family pen pal, make personal triumphs a family affair, dive with sharks, swim with dolphins, camp in the wild, teach thriftiness
80) dig for clams, foster family friendships, ID what each kid does well, teach conflict managment, write a family letter to the editor, plan a family talent show, get creative in the kitchen, teach organization, let them know you will always be there, fly a kite
90) Teach manners and Etiquette, trace thier sillouette, save the enviornment, Model hard work and self discipline, paper airplain contest, mold foot/hand prints, create a time capusle, camp with a tent indoors, organize a teddy bear search with only flashlights in the dark, make a big kids swing, tell family stories, put a premium on peace
September 2, 2008
I love lists. Period. So if there is a book out there claiming it knows 100 things I should be doing, I am intrigued. Case in point: 101 Things You Should Do Before Your Kids Leave Home. Like most parents, I want my kids to have lasting (and positive) memories about me once they are grown and on their own. This book has plenty of worthwhile suggestions...perfect for parents of children any age!
My favorites:
#4 Sail over your house in a hot-air balloon.
#28 Make every family affair a photo op.
#32 Hug your kids until they let go.
#61 Find a joke and tell it until your kids beg you to stop.
My favorites:
#4 Sail over your house in a hot-air balloon.
#28 Make every family affair a photo op.
#32 Hug your kids until they let go.
#61 Find a joke and tell it until your kids beg you to stop.
November 6, 2011
There were some good ideas listed but everything had a Christian perspective to it. I think it would be more fun for families to make their own list of 101 things they want to do before kids leave home!
December 15, 2023
Things I liked:
-There were some fun ideas of things I think would be good to do with my kiddos
-The chapter about belonging to a church organization reminded me that I need to shift my attitude about church attendance from trying to be perfect to seeking personal healing and direction from my Savior. Serving in a religious organization is wonderful. But one of the biggest purposes of going to church is to worship and to focus on my personal relationship with Christ.
Things I didn't like so much:
-The overall tone of the book got under my skin a bit. It felt a little preachy and arbitrary.
-I appreciate the idea of God being connected to everything we do, but some of the ways the authors connected God to the activity ideas felt a bit forced.
I saw another review that said something about how the book prompted them to make their own list of 101 things they wanted to do in their family. I like the idea of using this book as a tool, but it came across at points as "everyone should do these specific things and convey these specific messages to their children." Maybe if I had been able to retitle the book and think of it as "101 Great Things You COULD Do Before Your Kids Leave Home," I would have had a better experience with it!
-There were some fun ideas of things I think would be good to do with my kiddos
-The chapter about belonging to a church organization reminded me that I need to shift my attitude about church attendance from trying to be perfect to seeking personal healing and direction from my Savior. Serving in a religious organization is wonderful. But one of the biggest purposes of going to church is to worship and to focus on my personal relationship with Christ.
Things I didn't like so much:
-The overall tone of the book got under my skin a bit. It felt a little preachy and arbitrary.
-I appreciate the idea of God being connected to everything we do, but some of the ways the authors connected God to the activity ideas felt a bit forced.
I saw another review that said something about how the book prompted them to make their own list of 101 things they wanted to do in their family. I like the idea of using this book as a tool, but it came across at points as "everyone should do these specific things and convey these specific messages to their children." Maybe if I had been able to retitle the book and think of it as "101 Great Things You COULD Do Before Your Kids Leave Home," I would have had a better experience with it!
July 19, 2018
Rounded up from 2.5. Likely if you have time to read this book, you are already doing most of the things listed. A few novelty items I personally won’t ever do. I don’t mind the religious aspect, but I was not expecting it, and I personally don’t like that there is no info about the authors.
August 30, 2018
Enjoyable, with some really good ideas. Some were small and simple, some "bigger picture." A good book to have on the shelf.
July 17, 2014
Sometimes as we grow older we look back at our lives and remember fond memories of times spent with our family and our children as they grew. Those are often shared memories between our family as we reflect back on those times with admiration and love. Too often when life grows too busy, we forget to take time out of our day and plan for more of those memories we can share with our children or teens. We don't want to get to the end of our life and realize our time has run out and we never took the time to make plans. That is why I love the book, 101 Things You Should Do Before Your Kids Leave Home from David Bordon and Tom Winters.
Each page offers some suggestions to help us make time for some incredible activities that are bound to create a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of our children and perhaps create their own traditions that they will continue on with their own families. This book was written to help you map out those precious years. It's filled with ideas and advice designed to help you maximize your ability to send your children out into the world with all the tools they need to succeed, while making sure you and your kids enjoy every precious moment. Here are a few of the ideas you will find tucked inside this cover:
Plant a Family Tree
Make Your Kids All Home-Movie Stars
Conduct a Laundry Seminar
Thank a Soldier
Spend the Night in the Zoo
Pick Up Trash in a Park
Have a Paper Airplane Flying Contest
Organize a Search for Teddy Bears in the Dark
Trace Your Child's Silhouette
There are so many more great ideas and values to teach your children that when they grow older, they will appreciate the time you spent with them, helping them become better people and children of God. What a wonderful gift this would make for new parents, grandparents or even teachers or youth group leaders. There is a powerful message behind all the activities and provides additional time to reflect and open communication lines with our children now so that it will hopefully last in the future. Even though my children are almost grown, I hope to incorporate these ideas with my future grandkids or any children that I have time to spend with like my nieces and nephews. I am hoping that these will create so many great memories that they will take them with them when they arrive on heaven's doorstep! For me, this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars!
I received 101 Things You Should Do Before Your Kids Leave Home by David Bordon and Tom Winters compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained in this review are strictly my own.
Each page offers some suggestions to help us make time for some incredible activities that are bound to create a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of our children and perhaps create their own traditions that they will continue on with their own families. This book was written to help you map out those precious years. It's filled with ideas and advice designed to help you maximize your ability to send your children out into the world with all the tools they need to succeed, while making sure you and your kids enjoy every precious moment. Here are a few of the ideas you will find tucked inside this cover:
Plant a Family Tree
Make Your Kids All Home-Movie Stars
Conduct a Laundry Seminar
Thank a Soldier
Spend the Night in the Zoo
Pick Up Trash in a Park
Have a Paper Airplane Flying Contest
Organize a Search for Teddy Bears in the Dark
Trace Your Child's Silhouette
There are so many more great ideas and values to teach your children that when they grow older, they will appreciate the time you spent with them, helping them become better people and children of God. What a wonderful gift this would make for new parents, grandparents or even teachers or youth group leaders. There is a powerful message behind all the activities and provides additional time to reflect and open communication lines with our children now so that it will hopefully last in the future. Even though my children are almost grown, I hope to incorporate these ideas with my future grandkids or any children that I have time to spend with like my nieces and nephews. I am hoping that these will create so many great memories that they will take them with them when they arrive on heaven's doorstep! For me, this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars!
I received 101 Things You Should Do Before Your Kids Leave Home by David Bordon and Tom Winters compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained in this review are strictly my own.
September 1, 2015
Whatever you plan to "put into" your kids, you'd better have it done by age 14. I loved the notion of making a bucket list, as it were. The "scrapbooking mom" in me would then create a page for each one and document them with photos and journaling as we ticked them off. Each of the suggestions in this book is fleshed out with a page of narration--the whys and hows and possibilities.
My children are mostly grown now, so what we would do with something like this is look back and create our own journey, calling it something like "Mom's Rules of the Universe: A Guide for Scripting Ourselves and Our Families".
I tagged 60 of the 101 ideas to talk about with my family. Anyone at a loss of what to do on "Monday Family Night" would do well to consult this little tome for inspiration.
Here's a sample suggestion from the book...
#50 FIND A CHURCH AND STICK TO IT (p.100)
"Church families are as dysfunctional as any other. But they're also the place where you and your children learn to deal with problems, to grow, and to forgive. "Getting along" skills grow at church.
There are many different types of churchgoers. You have the only-on-Christmas-and-Easter crowd and the whenever-the-building's-open crew, and those who don't go anymore. The latter group sees church as a machine of abrasive parts and squeaking gears. But they may be missing the big picture. True church is a place of excitement where like minds gather for a greater purpose.
...
Once you've found a church and feel settled, support your pastor and fellow believers. Otherwise you and your children will forever feel like outsiders and never learn the value of commitment.
Being faithful to your church is a way of showing unconditional love to flawed people. Show your kids it's okay to settle for the off-key earthly choir and a congregation full of people trying, but not quite there yet. Standing back in judgment isn't the answer--never has been. Only by joining in will you see discord disappear, joys heightened, and get a small sliver of your heavenly home."
My children are mostly grown now, so what we would do with something like this is look back and create our own journey, calling it something like "Mom's Rules of the Universe: A Guide for Scripting Ourselves and Our Families".
I tagged 60 of the 101 ideas to talk about with my family. Anyone at a loss of what to do on "Monday Family Night" would do well to consult this little tome for inspiration.
Here's a sample suggestion from the book...
#50 FIND A CHURCH AND STICK TO IT (p.100)
"Church families are as dysfunctional as any other. But they're also the place where you and your children learn to deal with problems, to grow, and to forgive. "Getting along" skills grow at church.
There are many different types of churchgoers. You have the only-on-Christmas-and-Easter crowd and the whenever-the-building's-open crew, and those who don't go anymore. The latter group sees church as a machine of abrasive parts and squeaking gears. But they may be missing the big picture. True church is a place of excitement where like minds gather for a greater purpose.
...
Once you've found a church and feel settled, support your pastor and fellow believers. Otherwise you and your children will forever feel like outsiders and never learn the value of commitment.
Being faithful to your church is a way of showing unconditional love to flawed people. Show your kids it's okay to settle for the off-key earthly choir and a congregation full of people trying, but not quite there yet. Standing back in judgment isn't the answer--never has been. Only by joining in will you see discord disappear, joys heightened, and get a small sliver of your heavenly home."
January 7, 2015
My son actually picked this one up at a library book sale, and gave it to me saying we should do them all...before he read it! LOL. Each idea has a description that serves as a springboard for how it might work in your unique family structure. It is also biblically based, which I appreciated. I read through the 101 ideas and quickly checked those we do or have done, then crossed out those i had no inclination toward like opening a family snow cone stand or staging a controlled food fight. Pass. Then as I am inclined to do, I organized the remaining list into four categories.
I. Just Do It! These I could do right now and have added to my goals for 2015: hold a laundry inservice; read a classic novel out loud (yes we have done this, but it's been awhile); create a family cookbook; get creative in the kitchen with a special night per month of each child cooking for family; take a virtual vacation.
II. Things that required saving $$: swim with dolphins; stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon; ride in a hot air balloon.
III. Projects that require some time, research, or resourcing: volunteer in a soup kitchen, go clamming and have a clambake on the beach (I tweaked to add or substitute crabbing).
IV Delegated Projects; I put these on the honey help me do list; build a fit-for-an-adult rope swing; go star-gazing.
So there you have it - from 101 down to 12. It was a stimulating catalyst for New Year's resolution visioning and stimulated some solid family "fun" to anticipate.
I. Just Do It! These I could do right now and have added to my goals for 2015: hold a laundry inservice; read a classic novel out loud (yes we have done this, but it's been awhile); create a family cookbook; get creative in the kitchen with a special night per month of each child cooking for family; take a virtual vacation.
II. Things that required saving $$: swim with dolphins; stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon; ride in a hot air balloon.
III. Projects that require some time, research, or resourcing: volunteer in a soup kitchen, go clamming and have a clambake on the beach (I tweaked to add or substitute crabbing).
IV Delegated Projects; I put these on the honey help me do list; build a fit-for-an-adult rope swing; go star-gazing.
So there you have it - from 101 down to 12. It was a stimulating catalyst for New Year's resolution visioning and stimulated some solid family "fun" to anticipate.
March 22, 2011
I liked and didn't like this book. There were some good ideas on things to do with your family. Some are things that are pretty typical, some were unusual, and some were really interesting. I actually held onto the chapter list to remember some of the ideas. However, I have several gripes with the book. One is the authors. Who the heck are they and why should I listen to their child-rearing advice? There is no information on the authors anywhere in the book. The other big gripe is the constant reference to God. This book is very 'christian' in its religious references. Being a fairly religious christian myself this shouldn't have been a big deal other than (1) I was not expecting it and (2) they nearly hit you over the head with God-talk. I think it would have been better to approach these ideas a little more open minded religiously and maybe more people will appreciate it rather than get turned off.
March 29, 2012
I thought this would be full of inspiration for me but it just wasn't. There were a some good ideas but nothing any good parent wouldn't think of like teaching them values, letting them have a lemonade stand, playing in the rain, making them do chores, etc... Glad I didn't buy it and only checked it out from the library. My advice? Make your own bucket list with your kids and cross them off as you go.
September 1, 2012
I see that some folks rated this book poorly because it's not an extensive "bucket list," but almost more of a bucket list/life preparation hybrid list. I liked the book even though 'teaching your kids how to do laundry' is here, as well as 'take a hot air balloon ride over your house.' I was unaware the book was Inspirational Christian when I placed a hold on it, but still like it even though I am not religious.
January 16, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, although my family has done a lot of these, which is great I still think their advice and ancedotes were really well thought out and wonderful. I took a few ideas away and some thoughts and verses to use on conversations I have recently had with my children.
I like how these two authors seem to meld together and give great advice and warm thoughts.
I like how these two authors seem to meld together and give great advice and warm thoughts.
January 11, 2009
I gave this book to each of my boys for Christmas. I read one quickly before it was wrapped. The suggestions are reasonable, not ordinary but not out of this world. I felt that my imagination was piqued; I thought of related ideas that might be easy for me or my children to do close to home.
April 6, 2012
This book was about what I expected - some really fun, memorable ideas and a few ideas that just aren't "us". It'll be a wonderful book to refer to over the years, as we choose a few ideas each year.
June 14, 2012
Quick read. Good little reminder about some of the important things to share with your kids, tying it all in with a spiritual theme. Some of the ideas were a stretch, but most were relevant and do-able.
March 17, 2011
So many good ideas in here for fun things to do together as a family! Our kids are really little so we're not really preparing for them to leave, but still a fun book.
March 12, 2008
I thought this was full of some great ideas for things to do. Some of them are obvious, and some of them I don't know if I would have thought of on my own.
March 13, 2009
I love this book! It is so full of fun ideas for creative and meaningful parenting. Go get a copy now!
October 12, 2010
I love stuff like this. Daph has a book of 100 things to do before you are 12 and it has been fun to do.
October 10, 2011
Cute book with lots of fun ideas. I love skimming through it all the time and get new ideas. I can't wait till Alex is old enough to do more things with her.
November 22, 2010
Great book with some fantastic ideas!
February 9, 2012
This is and will be an ongoing, interactive book in my household; so many inspiring ideas.
November 26, 2011
Good ideas of things to do with your kids before they leave home. I was happy to see that we have already done several on the list. Nice thoughts with a Christian theme.
January 20, 2012
short, simple, feel-good, I liked it
February 8, 2012
This book had some good ideas of things to do before your kids leave home. Some I have already done, some I would do and some that are just a little out there for me. All in all it was a good book.
March 2, 2013
You can skim through this book in about 5 minutes and get some pointers. I can't say I got any new ideas of things to teach my kids or fun things to do with my kids but they are good reminders.
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