Beth's Review: Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World by Gary Chap

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Publisher: Northfield Publishing; New Edition edition

Released: August 25, 2014

Genre: Christian Living

Length: 241 pages

Format: ebook , paperback, audiobook

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Synopsis

Is technology bring­ing your family closer together or driving you farther apart' In this digital age, children are spending more and more time interacting with a screen and less time playing outside, reading a book, or interacting with a parent. While technology can benefit us, 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 tools you need to make positive changes . . . starting today. Through stories, wit, and wisdom, you’ll discover how to take back your home from an overdependence on screens. Plus, you’ll learn to teach the five A+ skills that every child needs to master: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention. Learn how to: 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 Equip your child to be relationally rich in a digital world Learn healthy ways to occupy your child while you get things done Now is the time to equip your child with a healthy involvement with screens and an even healthier involvement with others.

Two Boundless Stars

I grabbed this off Audiable to listen to in the car. I finished it with two errand trips around Savannah. I have Degrees in Child Development and Education, and like to get these books every once in a while to “sharpen my skills.” This was worse than reading a textbook. The narrator reminded me of Ben Stein’s monotone voice in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Also, it was weird to hear him read from a female’s letter; imagine Stein saying “I, Aubrey…..”

There were a lot of statistics read and over-informing the readers of the problem. We know kids are too attached to their screens, that’s why we chose this book, we are hoping to get usable advice; which, was nowhere in this book. Don’t get me wrong, advice was given, but it was obviously from someone that does not live with kids.

I have read so many helpful books, and felt this one could have been better. For this reason, I rate Growing Up Social with 2 stars.