Pssssst…come here I want to tell you a secret.

Well, it’s not really a secret.

I want to share with you a great way

to LOVE doing chores.

Do I have your attention now?

Here it is: Listen to an audio book while doing chores.  I know, it doesn’t sound like any huge revelation or idea, but it works!

Don’t get a self help or non fiction book. {even though you think it would be good for you}  Get a fiction book you know you will like.  Choose from the genre you love.  If you have read my blog long enough you will know mine is fantasy. {prefer with romance, but not harlequin kind, mostly teen & young adult}

I began doing this because I just didn’t feel right about sitting down and reading a book all day.  I have way too many things to do.  But I didn’t want to give up reading all together.  Listening to audio books makes me WANT to do chores.  Seriously!  Plus, I don’t feel guilty because I’m still being productive.  I have heard people say, “I can’t listen to a book while doing chores.”  To them I say, “why not?”  It doesn’t take too many brain cells to fold clothes while listening.  If you can watch a movie or TV and fold clothes then you most certainly can listen to a book.  As a matter of fact, you are doing one LESS thing when you are listening versus watching and listening.  Most of the time doing chores is something we can do without thinking.  I hear people tell me how they listen to audio books while driving.  Honestly, if you can do this, then doing chores is a piece of cake.  Now, it might not work if you are trying to organize something {at least for me, I need to concentrate then}, but if you are washing the dishes, cleaning your home, sweeping etc.

So today I finished up listening to an audio book while working in the home.  The book was really good.  Next thing I knew it was over.  I was so bummed!  I hate when you are reading a good book…when it’s over…there’s this feeling of sadness, of let down.  This book was the second in a series.  Therefore, I feel like I know the characters really well.  Next thing you know, it’s the end, for now.  Until the author releases the next in the series.  Whaaa!

Okay, here’s the next tip.  Audio books are not cheap.  However, there is a more inexpensive and greener way than buying them in the store.  {Believe me, the CD’s begin to stack up over time}  I love Audible.com. I have been a member for over a year now.

Benefits of Audible.com:

• Less expensive!
• Use on ipod or other mp3 players.
• Green – no CD’s, {you can make CD’s if you want to} listen in the car or somewhere your ipod won’t connect to
• Listen at home.
• Listen in the car. {I have a cord I hook up to my ipod & iphone to listen in the car} Great for commuting long distances!
• Listen on an airplane.
• Narrators {well, the good ones} help distinguish characters.
• HELPS YOU LOVE TO DO CHORES!!
• Listen to a book together as a family in the car on a long trip. Makes the trip go by much faster.  This also gives you an opportunity to create conversation with your children.  You can talk about the book together and provide a teaching opportunity as well.  Usually there is a moral to the story.  This gives you a chance to reinforce your own family values.  It’s amazing what you will learn about your children when you listen to them tell you why they think the character should do this or that.
• New! Listen on your Kindle! {Carrie, this is awesome for you!}
• Members receive FREE Interviews, Chapters, Short Stories and subscription to New York Times and Wall Street Journal
• They have a HUGE selection of Kids Audio Books. Sometimes my 7 year old likes to listen to a book in bed before she falls asleep.
• Will give you recommendations based on previous books listened to.
• Offer Spanish versions of books.

There are many literary benefits of listening to books, especially if a child is learning to read.  Good article about this by Scholastic here.

Ready to do some laundry, load the dishwasher, sweep & mop the floor now?

Just try it and see for yourself if it helps motivate you.  I have teamed up with Audible.com through their affiliate program.  They are offering Family Brings Joy readers a 14 day trial membership with your first book being free! No time like the present!  Click on box below to take advantage of this offer.

After you sign up:

1. Please come back and tell me what book you are listening to.

2. Tell me how your experience went with working and listening

3. If you are a current audio book listener or Audible.com member, please share your experiences and current books with us as well.  I am currently listening to One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus.

So excited to hear your feedback!

Disclosure: Affiliate program offers compensation when reader clicks on above link & becomes an Audible.com member.  I was not compensated in any way for writing this post.  These are my own words and opinions.  Again, I will not market a company I don’t have a strong passion for already.  I feel this information is valuable for Family Brings Joy’s readers.

Listen on,