Synopses & Reviews
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 overdependence 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.
Review
"e;I really enjoyed reading this book. As a teacher, this has been a topic I have been constantly talking about. The effects of technology are clearly obvious in our youth and in our families and their interactions. I highly recommend this book to parents and teachers. I think this is a perfect book for a parenting class. Rating 4 out of 5 stars."e;
Reviewed by Susana Martin, Net Galley, June 6, 2014
Review
"e;Whether you are a parent, grandparent, neighbor, or friend, Growing Up Social is a must-read! The electronic age has brought us the amazing miracles of television and computer technology, but it has also brought risks to the social and intellectual development of our children. This book will inform you, and perhaps even alarm you, but then it will show you how children can enjoy screens without becoming addicted to them."e;
—MEL CHEATHAM, MD, clinical professor of neurosurgery
"e;As a mom of six children, I see now more than ever how important real connections with real people are. For those of us who grew up with corded phones and letter writing pen-pals, it’s easy to worry about how the screen-driven world impacts our children. Thankfully Arlene Pellicane and Dr. Gary Chapman have provided sound advice for parents in how to train children in important relational skills, while setting realistic boundaries for electronic entertainment. Need help in teaching your children communication, care, and empathy for others? This is the book you’ve been looking for! Great research, sound advice, and steps to success—what could be better than that?"e;
—TRICIA GOYER, USA Today bestselling author of 40 books, including Lead Your Family Like Jesus
"e;The advent of the digital world is a technology that has created an enormous challenge for parents. It is causing our children to spend more time in front of a computer screen or smartphone than in healthy social contact, and the consequences on children’s emotional health is frightening. Research here is very clear: we are rewiring the human brain in ways that will have longterm detrimental effects. Growing Up Social is absolutely correct in its identification of the risks facing our children. It offers practical guidance and scientifically validated techniques for protecting them from the damaging consequences of prolonged digital engagement. It has my full recommendation."e;
— ARCHIBALD D. HART, author of The Digital Invasion: How Technology is Shaping You and Your Relationships
"e;How do you raise children thoughtfully in a screen-centric world? It’s one of the most urgent questions of our time, and Growing Up Social is a full of smart, practical answers. Any parent seeking to nurture their family’s spiritual life in this connected age, no matter their faith or philosophy, will benefit from reading it."e;
—WILLIAM POWERS, author, Hamlet’s BlackBerry
"e;It’s not too late! You can rescue your children from their technology and help them learn why and how to be social. Without social skills, they’ll be miserable, lonely, confused, angry, misled, depressed, unfulfilled. You know it’s a huge issue today and I’m glad you’re concerned. In Growing Up Social, Chapman and Pellicane share ideas that will equip you to have instructive conversations with your kids and make realistic and significant changes so they willingly decrease their screen time and confidently increase their friend time."e;
— KATHY KOCH, founder and president of Celebrate Kids, Inc., and author of Finding Authentic Hope and Wholeness and How Am I Smart? and coauthor of No More Perfect Kids
"e;If you think your child is immune to an overdependence on screens, think again.Written by my trusted friends Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane this book is a reality pill that many modern day parents need to swallow."e;
—DR. KEVIN LEMAN, New York Times bestselling author of Have a Happy Family by Friday
"e;Finally a book that educates on the very real effects screen time has on our children and daily home life. GrowingUp Social is packed with practical wisdom and brilliant suggestions to effectively and intentionally pull families trapped in isolation away from their screens to reestablish God intended family time! Gary and Arlene, count me a raving fan of this much needed guide book for parents!"e;
— TRACEY EYSTER, founder of FamilyLife’s MomLifeToday.com, author of Be the Mom and Beautiful Mess
"e;A timely and practical book that tackles one of parenting’s biggest dilemma: how do we navigate this new world of technology? This book will equip parents to confidently set boundaries and create an atmosphere that uses technology in a healthy way."e;
—TED CUNNINGHAM, pastor and author of several books including Trophy Child
"e;This book will help parents navigate the slippery slope of electronics in a way that emphasizes family bonding, social relating, and maintaining a healthy balance of electronic and non-electronic activities. A most welcome addition to the library of any intentional parent."e;
—TODD CARTMELL, child psychologist and author of Project Dad and Raising Flexible Kids
"e;In this unprecedented age of technology and its accessibility, I cannot think of a more needed or more important resource for parents than Growing Up Social. While this book recognizes the positive contributions of technology, it serves as an important handbook for educating parents on the effects of too much screen time in our lives. It offers creative alternatives and encouragement to take back our home from the digital invasion and I highly recommend it!"e;
—KRISTEN WELCH, author of Rhinestone Jesus and blogger at We Are THAT Family
"e;As a mom, I have often felt outnumbered in my own home: Laptop, iPod, smartphone, Xbox, tablet: 5 vs. Mom and Dad: 2. Besides living in a wireless bunker, what’s a parent to do? Growing Up Social will help you reclaim your home and your family. More than a media manifesto, this book gives a commonsense, real world approach to building relationships and helping our kids who are screen savvy become socially savvy."e;
— KATHI LIPP, author of I Need Some Help Here: Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan and 21 Ways to Connect with Your Kids
"e;Growing Up Social is a must-read for wisdom to maximize the positives and minimize the negatives of life and love in the ever-changing digital world."e;
— PAM AND BILL FARREL, co-directors of Love-Wise; authors of Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti and 10 Best Decisions a Parent Can Make
"e;Imagine this: A two-year-old picks up his mother’s phone and swipes his finger across the screen. Not hard to imagine, is it? What’s wrong with that picture? What’s right? Arlene Pellicane and Dr. Gary Chapman will help you answer both of those questions. Growing Up Social is a must-read for today’s parents and grandparents too!"e;
— KENDRA SMILEY, author of Journey of a Strong-Willed Child and Be the Parent (and mother of three, grandmother of nine and counting)"e;
Review
"e;Let me start this review by saying that I was attracted to read this book by its cover and title. The cover is very intriguing and thought provoking. For me it’s a perfect depiction of what is happening to kids who are "e;growing up"e; social. As a private tutor I had been questioning the effects of growing up social on my students. As soon as I saw the title of this book I picked it up thankfully it gave me all the answers I needed. And what’s best of all, it gave me reassurance that my beliefs regarding screen time for children aren’t wrong.
The writing is straight to the point. The concepts are clearly explained. There are many practical and doable examples on how to apply the suggestions the authors make. More about the writing on the the full review on my blog.
Growing up social does not emphasize only on the negative effects screen time has on our kids: slow language development, aggressive behavior, frustration, negative thoughts, weak interpersonal relationships, lack of virtues, feeling of entitlement, short attention span, lack of emotional connections, rebellion toward authority, etc. It is not a book to attack technology. The authors recognize that with a purpose and a plan, screen time can be a wonderful way to bring families closer.
The important lesson to learn is that there has to be balance, limits, and boundaries for screen time enforced by parents in order to raise healthy and productive human beings. These parameters don’t have to be imposed or forced on children. They are set in a way that children learn to make decisions and learn to live within these boundaries.
Growing up social is an empowering book for parents, an eye opener for those who are feeling lost or despaired in their mission. It fills you with hope and reminds you that it is never too late to make positive changes that will influence your children for the rest of their lives. It positively recharges you and makes you remember that "e;you are the parent at the wheel who decides the direction of your family."e;
Growing up social is not only for parents or single parents, but also a great resource for grandparents, families, teachers, nannies, tutors, counselors, and anyone who is in constant contact with children and has some responsibility in their upbringing can greatly benefit from reading this book. I am very selective as to which books get 5 stars in my book shelf. I highly recommend reading this book."e;
Reviewed by MJ Bloggeretterized, Net Galley, Jul 11, 2015
Synopsis
In this digital age, children are spending more and more time interacting with a screen rather than a parent. Technology has the potential to add value to our families, but it can also erode a sense of togetherness and hinder a child's emotional growth.
In Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World, you'll learn how to take back your home from an over-dependence on screens. Discover the five A+ skills needed to give your child the relational edge in life: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention.
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.
Synopsis
Is technology drawing your family together or driving it apart?
In this digital age, children are spending more and more time interacting with a screen and less timeplaying 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.
"
Synopsis
Has Technology Taken Over Your Home?
In this digital age, children spend more time interacting with screens and less time playing outside, reading a book, or interacting with family. Though technology has its benefits, it also has its harms.
In Screen Kids Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane will empower you with the tools you need to make positive changes. Through stories, science, 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:
Protect and nurture your child's growing brain
Establish simple boundaries that make a huge difference
Recognize the warning signs of gaming too much
Raise a child who won't gauge success through social media
Teach your child to be safe online
This newly revised edition features the latest research and interactive assessments, so you can best confront the issues technology create in your home. Now is the time to equip your child with a healthy relationship with screens and an even healthier relationship with others.
About the Author
GARY CHAPMAN--author, speaker, counselor--has a passion for people and for helping them form lasting relationships. He is the #1 bestselling author of
The 5 Love Languages series and director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. Gary travels the world presenting seminars, and his radio programs air on more than 400 stations. For more information visit his website at www.5lovelanguages.com.
ARLENE PELLICANE is a speaker and co-author of Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World (with Dr. Gary Chapman). Arlene's other books include 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom and 31 Days to a Happy Husband. She has been a featured guest on the Today Show, Fox and Friends, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, The 700 Club, and Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Arlene worked as the Associate Producer for Turning Point Television with Dr. David Jeremiah. Arlene earned her BA from Biola University and her Masters in Journalism from Regent University. She lives in San Diego with her husband James and their three children. To learn more and for free family resources such as a monthly Happy Home podcast, visit www.ArlenePellicane.com.