"Growing Up Social" Book Review & GIVEAWAY! (11/26) #growingupsocial

*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.

About "Growing Up Social":

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.

About the authors:

Gary Chapman- author, speaker, and counselor—has a passion for people and for helping them form lasting relationships. He is the bestselling author of The 5 Love Languages series and the 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 5lovelanguages.com.

Arlene Pellicane- is a speaker and 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 and formerly served as the associate producer for Turning Point Television with Dr. David Jeremiah. Arlene lives in Southern California with her husband, James, and their three children. Find out more at ArlenePellicane.com.

Learn more about growing up social on the website: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/growingupsocial

Take a peak at the book trailer:

My Review:

I feel like I've received a gift by having the opportunity to read "Growing Up Social".  I knew technology has an affect on all of us, but I always wondered what the extent of the limits should be.  For example: The kids have been wanting an iPad and I've wondered if I should give in and get them one.  Many kids already have access to them at home and I wasn't sure if my kids would fall behind on their knowledge of technology if they didn't have access to one at home as well.  "Growing Up Social" touched on the subject, saying that technology is made to be so user friendly that it could be picked up and understood, just as much as those who have always used technology, in basically no time.  (In reference to a study that was done.)  Problem solved...the kids don't 'need' an iPad!

"Growing Up Social" discusses limiting screen time as well.  No more than 2 hours/day, including the time that they've used screens at school.  I am extremely thankful that we don't have video games, only have one TV (to promote watching as a family), and the kids are rarely on computers/smart phones.  (My husband and I made the decisions a long time ago about one TV and no video games because we didn't want them having a negative influence on our family.)

I found the whole book of "Growing Up Social" to be extremely interesting!  I had no idea of all the negative affects on children/families that too much screen time creates.  I found myself having a hard time putting the book down, as if I were reading a novel, because I was just intrigued by all the useful information and interesting scenarios and studies.  I could go on and on telling you about everything I learned!!  I honestly feel that "Growing Up Social" is a book that EVERY parent, raising a child today, should read.

Buy It!:

"Growing Up Social" can be purchased at several places in several formats.  (Check out the stores here: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/resource/growing-up-social/#purchase)  A paperback copy can be purchased through amazon.com for $11.46.

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader is going to win a copy of "Growing Up Social"!

Congratulations to comment #7, Robin! :-)

To enter to win leave a comment below. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with the comment, so I can contact you if you're the winner.

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.

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Open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end Wednesday, November 26th, 2014 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.