The Beginner's Guide to Chick Night-Review and Giveaway

A JOURNEY TO FIND OURSELVES

Eleven years ago, author Colleen Kleven realized she wasn’t last on her own priority list – she wasn’t on the list at all.  “I’d spent 25 years as a writer-broadcaster before launching a marketing-consulting business. I was also married and raising a son who has ADHD,” Kleven says. “Like most women, I had too much to do and too little time to do it in.”  She and two female friends began going out regularly, without their kids, and found what they were looking for: Time to concentrate on themselves. Eleven years later, those same three women are still at it. Now, Kleven is out to help women everywhere find the same satisfaction.

In The Beginner’s Guide to Chick Night, Kleven shows women how to put themselves back on their list of priorities, reduce their stress and create supportive friendships to last a lifetime.  “Life is a group effort,” Kleven says. “We have managed to form a safety net of heartening support and truthfulness, strengthened by the bonds of friendship. It hasn’t been easy – that’s why I wrote the book, to help other women find the strength to start and keep their own ‘chick nights’ going.”  Kleven made it official in 2000 by founding Chick Night International, an organization she says that has “no rules and no membership fees – just women who want to enjoy themselves.”

My Take-Sounds like a dream that needs to come true for me.  How about you?  We adopted a newborn almost 2 years ago and since then I have not not set aside any time for myself to just have fun with my friends or even just myself. Do you have this problem too? 
When I was younger and had my boys I was able to. Now that I live away from all my family, including in-laws and my Mom is no longer alive it’s just not as easy. 
If I do have free time, which is usually during my daughter's nap,  I use it to catch up on as many things I need to do around the house. I know I’m not supposed to but it really is the best time for me to do all that I need/can do. I do get my hair cut about every 10-12 weeks, and go to Dr. appts (oh what fun!). When I can, I try to take my daughter along.  Why?  Saves from having to find a sitter or asking my husband to squeeze some time out of his busy work day for me.  

Girlfriend time? What’s that? I have been asked to go out but to tell the truth I just want to go to bed. I can’t see how I could even manage staying up late then getting up early with my daughter. 

Husband time would be nice as well but at least we have a little alone time. That is, AFTER I take my bath (no time in the am) after she has gone to bed. 

After reading this book, I have committed myself to making myself not do what obviously can be done later.  In fact, I now ask/request/scream/make my younger son (18 years old) to help me out during the days he can (he’s in college and works at night) by watching the baby while I go to Dr. appts.  Think that’s a bit much? He lives rent free so I feel it’s somewhat of an even trade.  I will admit I try my best to schedule them during her afternoon nap but hey, it’s a start! 

For chick night,  I have asked if my girlfriends can meet on a weekend day.  This took less convincing than I thought it would but only because some are younger than me, or they have already raised their children, or have help, they prefer going out at night but they agreed that ventures during the day could be fun too. Yay!  BONUS-On page 54, there are great ideas for things to do when we don’t want to spend too much or any money at all. I LOVED that!

For husband and wifey time I ask my oldest son who is 24 years old to watch the baby once a month so my hubby and I can see a movie and/or have lunch together or whatever else comes to mind :)

In my opinion this book will definitely remind you all to take out time for yourselves, no matter what stage you are in life because you are all worth it! 

Learn more by visiting www.mychicknight.com.

BUY

Order online at Amazon, Chapters, and Barnes & Noble. Available in hardcover and paperback.

Giveaway

THREE winners will receive THREE copies (for sharing with your friends!) of “The Beginner’s Guide to Chick Night”

RULES

This contest is open to US and Canada! You have until 8:00 A.M. EST October 14, 2011 to enter.  Please visit Rules for more information.  If your email doesn't show when I click on your name, be sure to leave it in EACH comment.  This is the only way I can contact the winner. ALL entries will be verified. 

MANDATORY ENTRY

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A special thank you to Colleen Kleven for reminding me to take care of myself!