The DIY Guide to Building a Family that Lasts: 12 Tools for Improving Your Home Life

Here are my application points from this book.1. Creating a "fun list" and making it visual. Having a list of "me fun," "couple fun." and "family fun." - This is obvious. I'm glad to be reminded of this.2. Improving communication. Making sure our communication as a family is considerate, calm, clear, concise and consistent.3. Cultivate love - Know and speak the 5 love languages.I decided to pick out 3 application points and create a plan to apply them to my family. I've found this MUCH more effective than to try to apply "everything." When I try this I tend to do nothing.There are many other application points, but these are a few that I've found. Thank you for some great insight and reminders.

Dr. Chapman and Dr. Warden have teemed together to write a book that has powerful truths and practical tools to help you grow as a family. Whereas they point out road blocks that you may be creating in your home, they also give encouraging advice to help you change your habits. Each chapter has mini sections that make it easy to pick up and put down as a busy mom or dad. The questions at the end of each chapter help to reinforce what has been read to help you make the next step towards a better home. Highly recommend!

This book is a MUST READ for all parents/families! I love the format, content, creativity in titles, and the dual-dialogue between the coauthors—well done!If you feel completely “spent” at times, and the “family fuse” gets short as you balance life, then this is a great tutorial and an amazing reminder of what makes a loving “family unit” and successful family!The DIY Guide to Building A Family That Lasts is a wonderful way to wrap up the summer reading and to recharge for the workweek ahead. No matter what challenges await us in the busy week ahead, let’s keep our perspective about what is most important in our lives: it’s not the so-called power of that awfully demanding and unrealistic boss, nor the perpetual, unending to-do list on our kitchen counters; but rather, what’s important is, our families. Without family, who are we, and what do we really possess? Dr. Shannon Warden and Dr. Gary Chapman help the family unit come together, get centered, and focus on what’s most important—our family. This is a book that I’ll read over and over again for many years to come!

Gary and Shannon play off each other with tremendous transparency that makes us all want to join in the fun. They have published a book and workbook all in one for building relationships that last. Their ‘Talk it over’ sections at the end of each chapter are a great tool for opening up communication within the family that could also be used creatively with relationships at work and among non-family interactions but especially between spouses. It is a book that my wife and I will enjoy reading together and using as an interactive tool for a better relationship. It is one of those books that doesn’t leave you with a sense of lack but with a sense of potential. A great book that deserves to be in everyone’s home.

Not what expected from this author. I guess the audience is specifically a male contractor or do it yourself guy. I just couldn’t get into the constant home repair project analogies. (BTW I typically give 5 star reviews)

A great book on building a family that lasts! Definitely worth a re-read 😊

Such a powerful and supportive book for my husband and I! I am truly grateful to have this book and reminders for creating, maintaining, and loving a long lasting marriage and family!

Excellent book!

Great book for increasing family connection. I really like this author and his way of writing.