Book Review: Growing Up Social...but not like you would think!

Gary Chapman (of Five Love Languages fame) and Arlene Pellicane have written Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen Driven World.

I was very excited to crack open this book.  As a mother to three children, who all love screens of various types (iPods, tv, video games, etc), I was curious to see what Gary would have to say about this.

I was not disappointed in the least as Gary and Arlene present research as well as events from their lives and struggles with screens (Arlene is a mother with young children).  The research will scare you just a little bit, which is probably a good thing because screen exposure for everyone (not just kids) seems to be out of hand for the majority of people.

The effects on kids brains are almost immediate with screens and can take a very long time to correct. Things such as a lack of attention or anger/rage by playing violent video games.  Have no fear though Gary and Arlene present a list of their 5 A+ skills for each child to master, they are:

• 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

The book is eye opening and will make you think twice about turning a screen on...you may find you would rather spend your evening reading a book and letting your mind relax or go enjoy some outdoor time and allow your mind to absorb the sounds of birds instead of the sounds of the Real Housewives.

I was given a copy of this book to review by Moody Publishers.  The opinions and thoughts are my own.

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Book Review: The More of Less by Joshua Becker

I have just finished the book The More of Less by Joshua Becker.

I have been following Joshua Becker for about a year now and am familiar with his minimalist journey, he writes a blog on the topic, Becoming Minimalist.  

I was filled with joy to read his book "The More of Less" and read about other peoples journeys to owning less.  The most eye opening comment came early on in the book when a neighbor revealed to Joshua that "You don't have to own all of that stuff."  

What a revelation that you don't have to be a slave to your items and that indeed you can just enjoy the few things (and few is a relative for each person) that bring you happiness and joy to each day.

I would recommend this book to anyone as it doesn't talk about needing to get rid of everything in your house.  Joshua doesn't preach to you it is merely a conversation to get your mind thinking about how much you need to own and why do you own some of the things that are in your house.

Developing a more minimalist approach to life is an on going process...I'm not sure it is something that you are ever fully "done" with.  

I was given an advanced copy of this book to review from Blogging for Books.

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