Growing up Social by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane

-
GROWING UP SOCIAL: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World

Raising relational kids in a screen-driven world

In an age where screen time is replacing face-to-face time, Gary and Arlene bring us the timely reminder that screens do not teach our kids common courtesies. Addressing 5 A's that children desperately need: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention, they reveal a startling new world where these things have been replaced by the screen. Nobody has time for eye contact or even common courtesies anymore. Why? Maybe because they never learned it.

I didn't find this book to be so anti-screens as it was anti-what it is doing to our children if left unchecked. It's easy to use a screen as a babysitter, but what is that replacing? Is it replacing the time when you could discuss with your child their day or you could teach them some basic kitchen skills while you prepare supper together?

I was reading this book one afternoon when the evening stretched out long before me and I was thinking about how I could manage to read and keep my kids occupied. I'm not sure which chapter I was reading, but I was convicted that I should put my book down and play with my children, to give them attention, a critical need. I was also convicted in the book to spend less time on screens myself, to not have to get that text message immediately or randomly check my phone just in case....

I highly recommend this book. It's written in a personable style that makes it a quick read and yet it drives home the point. I want my children to learn basic etiquette, I want them to be able to make eye contact and say thank you, I want them to know how to hold a basic conversation with someone else. It's a book I am purposing to read, at least every couple years, if not every year as a reminder to myself of what I need to do and as a guideline to see how I am doing. Screens are only going to be there for the long haul, even though they constantly change, my children are only this age once and I want them to experience life with their eyes lifted up and observing and now bowed down to the latest video game or favorite show.

I received this book from Moody Publishers and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be more intentional with screen time.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fragrant Whiffs of Joy by Dorcas Smucker (It's Giveaway time)

-
Image
Ah yes, this was just what the doctor ordered. I've wanted to review Dorcas' last book or two and was always too chicken to ask, but this time I threw caution to the wind and said, "Yes, I want to review your book." And I'm so glad I did. It was the perfect book for this stage in my life. Short, easy to read chapters that can be picked up and read whenever and wherever. They are guaranteed to either make you laugh, smile, cry, or or just give you that ah-ha feeling that someone else experiences life like that too.  I could quote from pretty much every chapter something that struck me in one of those ways, but I really want you to go buy the book so I won't do that many spoilers. I only want to give you a hint of what is to come in the book. First off, isn't the cover beautiful? I can dream of a kitchen table like that with the apple pie still steaming and the tea pot, or coffee pot more likely, full to the brim and a beautiful arrangement of flowers
Read more

PRECIOUS CHILD

-
In my dreams, you are alive and well Precious child, precious child In my mind, I see you clear as a bell Precious child, precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be filled But in my heart, there is hope 'Cause you are with me still In my heart, you live on Always there never gone Precious child, you left too soon Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart In my plans, I was the first to leave Precious child, precious child But in this world, I was left here to grieve Precious child, my precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be  filled But in my heart there is hope And you are with me still In my heart you live on Always there, never gone Precious child, you left too soon,  Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart God knows I want to hold you,  See you, touch you And maybe there's a heaven And someday I will again Please know yo
Read more

The Swindler's Daughter by Stephania H. McGee

-
Image
  Lillian is raised by her "widowed" mother who wants Lillian to marry slightly above her station so as to secure a good future for both Lillian and her mother.  But then the unexpected happens and Lillian is left the inheritance of her father who has only just now died. She travels to Dawsonville where she is confronted with secrets and a whole new life. She is given community, family, friendships and acceptance, something she has never had before.  It was a fun light read, but I can't say I gained any huge inspiration from it. It was pretty fluffy. Of course, there was Jonah battling his own things and struggling to come to terms with the way his own life was turning out. So you know the end of all that, but on the way there there was some danger and some twists and turns in the plot which added to the story.  I received this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 
Read more