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Bad Habits

A Good Book of Bad Habits

November 25, 2011 By Keagan Pearson Leave a Comment

Every once in a while you run across a book that surprises you.

I am certainly not a book snob, but I have a tendency to stick to a particular style of book. One that causes you to ponder deep thoughts…and maybe one that changes you a bit in the process.

That’s why my initial thoughts of reviewing Hawkins and Laube’s “The Book of Bad Habits” were lukewarm.

Thankfully, the process of writing causes me to be open to things that I wouldn’t have been otherwise.

It Runs the Gamut

I have read few…scratch that…I have read zero books that cover topics from peeing in the shower to taking drugs.

Being that the book is meant to guide young (and not so young) men and women through the perils of misplaced (or misapplied) tendencies, it stands to reason that it would cover everything from the vile to the sophisticated.

More importantly to me, it does so with a laugh and some attention to the gross reality of our quirks and eccentricities.

And with that, the funny anecdotes are delivered alongside some strong factual expertise by Dr. Laube…who happens to be an M.D.

I mean, as a dad, I find it very useful to know that when my 4 year-old passes gas that’s loud and obnoxious, I don’t have to dawn the gas mask and retardant spray.

And who doesn’t want to fully understand that the:

“German Sociologist Norbert Elias, in his two-volume “The Civilizing Process“, records prohibitions against spitting from the Middle Ages to 1910?”

Take-Away’s to Teach Your Kids

So what did I glean from this read?

  1. We all have a little adolescent in us. We may grow older but that doesn’t exclude us from doing some of the same things we tell our kids not to do.
  2. That there’s a need for the heavy and the lighthearted. We can, and should, teach our kids about the dangers of drug use, while at the same time teaching them the need to avoid “Slobdom”.
  3. That common sense is still king. When in doubt, teach your kids to use that squishy grey thing in between their ears.
  4. That even in today’s world, courtesy still matters to people. Even with the mellowing of old-fashioned values, most people still find value in our polite efforts. Personally, my girls will know that it means something when a man opens a door for them.
  5. That you can’t temp physics. When you place a 4,000 lbs. car in a collision with a person…the car always wins. So, let’s watch where we’re walking shall we!

What Now?

First things first…buy the book. It is a quick read that will make you laugh and equip you with some nuggets that will teach you and your kids.

Next, subscribe to the blog. There are some great insights within many topics…and it’s well worth freeing up some email space.

If you’re on Facebook then why not give them a like? It’s worth the two seconds and you’ll find some topics that may spark your interest.

And, for those using Twitter, follow them. My guess is that you’ll get a chuckle in the process.

Finally, happy reading…and good luck with those bad habits!

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