Technology is all around us. There’s no escaping it. As a busy woman, mom of two teenagers, and aunt of younger elementary children, I am all too aware of the screen-driven world we live in. Sometimes, I look around a crowded room and see everyone’s face staring at a screen (TV, mobile phone or tablet). It’s can be hard to convince everyone to put down the devices and actually talk to each other – voice to voice, eye to eye.
When I was offered the opportunity to review Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World, I couldn’t wait to dive in.
I read Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Love Languages, many years ago & loved it, so I had high hopes for this book. I enjoyed the content that spoke specifically to social media and how it affects not only children but adults, things such as:
- “The training necessary for growing up social isn’t found on a phone or tablet. There’s no app or video game that can replace interactions with other human beings. Social skills must be practiced in real life, beginning for a child in the home.”
- “The more a child is involved in screen time, the less time there is for interaction with parents, siblings and friends.”
- “More and more children are being taught how life works from a screen instead of the real-life classrooms of responsibility, chores, and family relationships.”
- “If your children are not interacting with the family in a way you consider healthy, it’s your responsibility to make a change.”
- “…technology works best when it’s a tool in your life. It becomes destructive when it becomes the main hub where most of your life is experienced.”
- “Physical presence matters. You cannot communicate intimacy through texts, emails, or tweets. The deepest form of affection is given face to face in real-time.”
- “If we leave our children unattended with their screens, we must be prepared to accept the consequences.”
Many of the tips offered in the book were practical and easy to implement. I think it equally balanced emphasized being intentional in taking proactive measures as well as measures to change bad habits that have formed.
What I Think Was Missing:
The middle section of the book spoke to five “A+ skills” that every healthy child needs to master. While this was great stuff, I felt like it didn’t belong in this book. It would’ve been great in a separate book. I also felt like some of the content was repeated several times throughout each chapter. In addition, some of the stories shared in the book seemed a little idealistic to me.
My Recommendation:
Overall, the book had some good points that parents today should take notice of. You can check it out for yourself by entering to win a copy by emailing me at kidminspiration@gmail.com. Deadline to enter is 11:59pm Friday, November 14th.
Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): 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.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
