GRIZZLY PEAR

written snapshots

Raising Accountable Kids, John G. and Karen G. Miller, 2016

The basic premise of QBQ is quite basic.

How (or What) can I do to actively address this problem?

This concept germinated in the business world, but the Millers did an excellent job applying it to family life.

The main point of this book could be summarized with popular trope of “simple not easy”. Being personally accountable is an simple concept, but it isn’t easy in practice, not in business and definitely not at home. Even though you could personally conceptualize how QBQ would apply to family life after reading one their business books, it is illuminating to hear the stories from the Miller household and their diverse family.

In this crazy year, a lot has happened that is out of our control. Frustration has been overwhelming, passions are overflowing. QBQ won’t insulate you from these turbulent times, but it will remind you to get to work. After having made progress on what you can change, a hidden benefit reveals itself. By regularly asking the QBQ, your mind is better able to let go of the things you can’t control.

Reading this book doesn’t make personal accountability at home any easier, but it is definitely helpful to keep the Millers’ simple lessons top of mind.

This book was provided as a review copy by the author a couple years ago, but this unapologetically positive review is only tempered by a real apology for taking so long to read and review it.