We are so excited about the fourth selection in in our Cool Mom Picks Book Club because it’s a topic every parent can use help with, no matter how old our kids. We’re talking about how to be a happier parent! And the book that’s going to guide us is, coincidentally, called How to Be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having a Life, and Loving (Almost) Every Minute by one of our favorite parenting columnists and authors, KJ Dell’Antonia.
After having her on our podcast to talk about being happier as a parent without guilt or shame, we just knew we wanted to dive even deeper into the book with all of you.
And we’re so happy to bring the Cool Mom Picks Book Club to you with the support of our awesome sponsor, The Wines of Vinho Verde. Could there be a more perfect match? These versatile reds, whites, and rosés from Portugal go with whatever you’re eating, and whatever you’re reading. (Though we’ve got some paring ideas below, should you be book-clubbing with friends.)
Whatever stage of parenting you’re in — or maybe you’re not even a parent at all because this book is for everyone — we hope you’ll take this opportunity to grab a copy of How to Be a Happier Parent or download the ebook and join us for a live chat.
With Vinho Verde wine, of course.
Update: Now you can watch the live video of Liz sharing the top tips from How to Be a Happier Parent on the Cool Mom Picks Facebook page.
Reminder: This is a low-pressure book club!
Even if you don’t finish the book, get through only a few chapters or are just interested in the topic of becoming happier as a parent, you can still join us. We’re busy too, we get it.
For more info on How to join the Cool Mom Picks Book Club (it’s easy!) check out this post.
Discussion Guide Questions for How to Be a Happier Parent, by KJ Dell’Antonia
Whether you’re reading the book along with us, or want to host your own book club, we hope these questions help guide your reading and support you in making positive changes in your own family life, with smart tips and solid advice that really will have you understanding what makes you unhappy, and how to change it.
We’ll also use these questions to guide our chat together, as well as summarize lots of her the tips found in the book.
-Delegation can make parents significantly happier. What is the chore situation in your family? Do you ever feel like you are doing more than your “fair share?”
-Have you ever said, “I’ll just do it myself” to avoid whining or pushback? If so, how do you feel — honestly — after you’re done?
-How do you manage conflict between siblings in your home? What are some phrases we can use to help kids solve their own problems?
-What are some ways to make homework time less stressful…on you?
-While tech can facilitate happiness (movie nights, gaming together), does tech ever get in the way of happiness in your family? How about your own tech use?
-How can we make family meal time more about the “family” part?
-Which aspects of vacations, activities, travel, and general fun tend to make you more unhappy or stressed than happy? Can you identify the pain points and think about ways to fix them?
Watch our Book Club video from Monday July 1, now on our Facebook page.
Portal da Calcada Vinho Verde: Wine Pairing Ideas
The Portal da Calcada wine from Portugal’s Vinho Verde region blends Loureiro, Arinto, Azal, and Trajadura grape varietals beautifully. The wine is fruity and fresh, with hints of citrus, apple and melon, with a subtle sweetness and a light minerality.
This makes it so wonderfully drinkable during the warmer months, and if we can’t be drinking it in the Vinho Verde region ourselves, we’ll settle for our living room couches, with a good book. Of course.
If you want to know how to pair any wine, think about foods from its own region. However Vinho Verde wines are so versatile, you can enjoy them with nearly any book club munchies you can think of at all:
-A fresh, homemade ceviche
-Light seafood dishes like crab cake bites, mini fish tacos or shrimp skewers
-Sushi or sashimi
-A tray of cheeses that are light and creamy, like goat cheeses, burrata or even a brie
-Veggie platters and crudité — consider tossing in some orange or grapefruit to complement the citrus, or dress a salad with a lime-based vinaigrette
-Grilled poultry, like chicken skewers
-Oysters, if you’re fancy
-Mixed nuts, pretzels, or chips if you’re not fancy. It’s all good.
-Guac. Because everything goes with guac.
Cheers!
Check out our Facebook Live discussion of How to Be a Happier Parent. Comments are open and we’d love to hear your thoughts. And make sure you’re following Cool Mom Picks on Facebook!
Thanks so much to our wonderful book club sponsor, the Wines of Vinho Verde, for their support!
