Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World

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 about Gary's work visit 5lovelanguages.com.

You can view the 28 min. interview with Gary below to get an idea of some of his thoughts.

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.

You can find out more by visiting ArlenePellicane.com.








Interview with Pellicane on FOX & Friends where she talks a bit specifically about some of the ideas shared in Growing Up Social:

Is technology bringing your family closer together or driving you farther apart?

Children today are no longer playing hid-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.

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.





My Thoughts:
I really wish I had the financial means to put this amazing resource into the hands of every parent I know!  Chapman and Pellicane employ the perfect blend of story, reasoning and application along with encouragement to press into parents the importance of balance in the use of technology and screen driven devices in our families and homes.  With wisdom, they teach the undisputed value of face-to-face relationships with those we love - primarily our children.
I appreciated that Chapman and Pellicane didn't just tell parents what they shouldn't be doing in the area of social media and technology, but they show parents what and how to do the right things. Neither do they just vilify technology and harp on all its dangers:

"Screens are not the problem; the problem lies in the way we constantly use them...Pixels instead of people take center stage for the average American family. Children are like wet cement, and nowadays most are being imprinted by screens, not by parents.  It doesn't have to be this way."

Chapman and Pellicane spend 14 chapters laying a solid foundation for a better way:

• The A+ Skill of Affection
• The A+ Skill of Appreciation
• The A+ Skill of Anger Management
• The A+ Skill of Apology
• The A+ Skill of Attention
• Screen Time and Shyness
• Screen Time and the Brain
• Screen Time and the Love Languages
• Screen Time and Security
• Screen Time and Parental Authority
• Screen Time and the Single Parent
• Screen Time and YOU

If you are a parent or grandparent, this books should be read and in your personal library.  You can order from Amazon.com by going HERE.

*Thank you Debbie Lykon for sending a complimentary copy of the book for the purpose of this review.

Blessings,
Jennifer