About the Authors
Gary Chapman is the bestselling author of The 5 Love Languages series and the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. He's an author, speaker, and counselor with a passion for helping people form lasting relationships. He travels the world presenting seminars. His radio programs air on more than 400 stations. Visit 5lovelanguages.com for more information.
Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and the author of 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife and 31 Days to a Happy Husband. She has been featured on The Today Show, The 700 Club, and Family Life Today. She served as the former associate producer for Turning Point Television with Dr. David Jeremiah. Arlene lives in Southern California with her husband and their three children. Visit ArlenePellicane.com to learn more.
Book Description (From the Publisher)
Is technology bringing your family closer together or driving you farther apart? Children today are no longer playing hide-and-seek outside or curling up with a good book—instead they’ve been introduced to a world of constant digital entertainment through television, video games, and mobile devices. And while technology has the potential to add value to our lives and families, it can also erode a sense of togetherness and hinder a child’s emotional and social development.
In Growing Up Social, Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane will empower you with the necessary tools to make positive changes … starting today. Through stories, wit, and wisdom, you’ll discover how to take back your home from an over dependence on screens. Plus, you’ll learn to teach the five A+ skills that every healthy child needs to master: Affection, Appreciation, Anger Management, Apology, and Attention.
•Equip your child to be relationally rich in a digital world
•Replace mindless screen time with meaningful family time
•Establish simple boundaries that make a huge difference
•Discover what’s working for families that have become screen savvy
•Learn healthy ways to occupy your child while you get things done
Now is the time to equip your child to live with screen time, not for screen time. No phone, tablet, or gaming device can teach your child how to have healthy relationships—only you can.
My Thoughts
The 233-page softcover parenting book is jam-packed with information that should be read by all parents. This Christian book focuses on the social, emotional, spiritual, and mental impact that screen-time has on children.
One chapter in particular hit close to home. Chapter 13 explores Screen Time and the Single Parent. It addresses the difficulties of being a single parent and how divorce impacts the child. I am definitely paying closer attention to how we spend our time together. I've been more intentional with placing limits on my daughter's screen time which can be difficult at times because we use technology in our homeschool and as part of her chore reward system. Furthermore, this chapter discusses the detrimental side effects of having too much screen time in a single parent home which also applies to two parent homes. It mentions the struggles of getting on the same page with your co-parenting spouse while emphasizing the importance of working together to establish similar rules and screen time limits for the sake of the child.
Chapter 14 helped me put into perspective the amount of time I personally spend in front of the screen. The book also helped me realize my priorities and what I desire for my child. I don't want my daughter to think that checking e-mails, working on my blog posts and reviews, and researching on the Internet are more important than our special time together. I really sat down and started evaluating how I run things in my home after reading this chapter. We, as parents, need to model our expectations and if we sit in front of a screen all day . . . what is that telling are children. They need us to be present and attentive to their needs. I desire to eventually have a balance of family time and technological use in my home which will in the long run help my daughter develop a stronger, healthier relationship with God and build friendships with others. I don't want her to miss out on exploring the great outdoors. I want her to play as a child rather than spending hours staring at animated screens. I also want my daughter to bond and have quality time with family and not allow technological devices to fill any emotional voids.
Another chapter that I enjoyed reading was Chapter 10 which discusses Love Languages and how pertinent it is to identify and understand your child's love language so that you can fill their love tank. My daughter's love language is Quality Time and Physical Affection. She appreciates gifts and loves affirmations, but truly wants to spend more quality time with me and be held especially now when her heart is wounded and she's dealing with so many emotions. I also want her to feel genuinely loved and to know that I care deeply.
Other features I enjoyed in the book were the list of screen-free ways to cultivate a thankful heart, the five keys to focus on when apologizing, homework helps, the screen-safe family pledge, and scripture verses to memorize when dealing with anger issues.
You’ll find a short quiz at the back of the book to help you evaluate and determine whether or not your child is having too much screen time and if it could be harming their development. The ages and stages of social development are also listed and categorized. Additionally, there are discussion guides with reflective questions for each chapter which can be utilized during a parent study or Bible study group. The book also contains parental resources including the online Love Languages website, a children’s book, parenting book suggestions, and a few relationship books to read.
Bottom Line
Growing Up Social discusses relevant and meaningful issues that should be addressed in today's society. This parenting book will challenge you to take back your home. Moderation is the key and can be reached with limitations with regards to technological use. I'm all about finding a balance in life, because I see both the advantages and disadvantages of screen time.
Recommendations
These are just a few of the chapters that had a profound influence on me, but there are other chapters that we could all benefit from reading. I HIGHLY recommend Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World. It is a must read for all parents or anyone thinking about having or working with children in the future!
How often are your children allowed to use technological gadgets or watch TV in your home?
Amazon $12.38
Family Christian $15.99
Note: All prices are subject to change.
Social Media
Website: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/growingupsocial
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ANoYvKA1k
Disclaimer
Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. I am disclosing this information In accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
One BLESSED reader has the opportunity to win a physical copy of Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World written by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane! Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are NOT eligible to win it again. Propeller Consulting, LLC will fulfill prize requirements.
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