Raise your hand if you have ever attempted a home renovation project. Now keep your hand up if things did not go as planned. Throw kids into the mix and you know all about the mayhem we went through when redoing our kitchen.
As intense as home stuff can be, at least the whole family can laugh about it when it is over. And laugh you will when you pick up the latest from Jeff Kinney. I’ve partnered with ABRAMS Books to share our home improvement story, as well as to tell you about the latest in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid #14: Wrecking Ball
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball is about what happens when an unexpected inheritance gives Greg Heffley’s family a chance to make big changes to their house. But they soon find that home improvement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Once the walls come down, all sorts of problems start to crop up. (Been there before.)
Rotten wood, toxic mold, unwelcome critters, and something even more sinister all make Greg and his family wonder if the renovations are worth the trouble. When the dust finally settles, will the Heffleys be able to stay or will they need to get out of town?
If you have gone through home renovations like we have, you can appreciate the craziness that ensues in Wrecking Ball. My kids cracked up remembering how hectic it was in our house when we replaced the kitchen countertops. Ah fun times… yes, so glad that's over.
Why We Love Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball
Just like the rest of the Wimpy Kid series, this one blends the story with funny illustrations that help readers connect to Greg and his family. The kids love this one, they have read it a few times already. I think it has to do with the fact that they can relate to what Greg is going through with his parents' home renovations.
For me, I enjoy reading these books with them, cracking up at everything that goes on. In Wrecking Ball, Greg's family reminded me of the Griswolds and their misadventures. And if you know who I am talking about, then you know why I was laughing.
Wrecking Ball also called to mind the surprises one will discover when you start doing things around the house. Remember those countertops I mentioned? Well, we pulled off one splashguard and look what we found.
Thankfully, that awful dark stuff was not mold or mildew, it was just dirt. So, after some scraping and spraying I repainted the wall and replaced the splashguard. Greg's parents weren't so lucky, but I don't want to give anything away! You just have to read it!
3 Ways To Get The Kids Involved In Home Renovation
1. Ask their opinions
This might be shocking to you, but brace yourself, kids have a lot of opinions. Even when you think they might not care, they do. Most of the time, they just want to be involved with whatever you are doing. When it comes to home projects, I guarantee they have something to say about them.
Our next big project is the upstairs. We want to tear up the carpet, put down hardwood, and redecorate their rooms. I asked the kids how they would design their rooms if they had the opportunity and nothing was out of bounds. Boy do they dream big!
He was all about his cars while my daughter wanted a castle. While putting a giant triple loop track in my son's room won't happen, we will make sure we design a “car themed” space. It will make him happy and he will know that that was his idea. Still trying to figure out the whole castle thing. The bottom line is, take their ideas and do something with them.
2. Take them to get supplies
We are all about DIYing over here. It saves money and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Doing things yourself means you need to gather supplies.
My son loves going to home improvement stores. He wants to help pick out paint brushes, get the paint mixed up, and he doesn't mind when we have to go back 3 more times because we forgot something. Not only is it fun for him but it gives us time together.
These small little memories are things kids will hold onto as they get older. Trust me. I still remember helping my grandfather work in the garage, fixing up the old tractor. That memory brings a smile to my face every single time. Priceless.
3. Let them help
Now, I am not advising you let them handle power tools, saws, or anything else extremely dangerous. I do not even like using those things! However, in every home project there is something they can do.
It could be as simple as picking up the trash or more detailed like painting the walls. I'm telling you, let them do the baseboards, it will save your knees and back!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball is available now wherever books are sold!
