Be the Parent, Please: Stop Banning Seesaws and Start Banning Snapchat: Strategies for Solving the Real Parenting Problems
I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate a review. All thoughts belong to me.
When I was asked to review this book I was hesitant at first, not for myself, but for the backlash I might receive from other parents. My boys are only allowed on electronics on the weekend and while they do have phones they are only used for homework and talking with their friends. I don’t have the problems that seem to plague most parents of tweens and teens. I know many parents that feel as if, “Well, this is just how things are nowadays.” or “My kid can handle social media, and I pay attention.” etc. I feel as if electronics come at a cost that is much greater than the latest upgrade. What has happened to play? How about going outside? Or having a face to face conversation? Valuing what we have instead of coveting what others are showing you they have online? Don’t even get me started in the seemingly innocent sexy selfies from girls that are much too young to understand what that image might mean to someone else.
This book not only for parents, but for people who care about the future of this world. Riley explains and helps people understand what is involved in this new age of parenting with electronics and also helps us understand, why we must “Be the Parent”.
About Be The Parent:
Toddlers on tablets. Pre-teens on Tumblr. Thanks to a variety of factors—from tech companies hungry for new audiences, to school administrations bent on making education digital, to a culture that promotes everyone as the star of their own reality shows—technology is irrevocably a part of childhood, and parents are struggling to keep up. What should be allowed? What should be denied? And, given the ubiquity of technology and its inherent usefulness, what do sensible boundaries even look like?
A noted columnist and mother of three, Naomi Schaefer Riley fully understands the seductive nature of screens. For example, an afternoon of finger painting equals enormous cleanup of both house and hands. But an afternoon of iPad games? Just a swipe and a charger. Or what about car rides around town? Always having toys and books on hand isn’t a given, but your game-loaded smart phone is.
Riley draws us into her story and then walks us through the research on technology’s encroachment into each stage of childhood. She then offers “tough mommy tips”: realistic, practical, applicable advice for parents who recognize that unlimited technology access is a problem, but who don’t know where to start in taking back control. These tips cover everything from placating an antsy toddler at your local favorite restaurant to best practices for keeping your teens safe from unsavory sites.
Any parent knows the effects of screens on their distracted, cranky, sedentary, and incessantly anxious-about-what-might-be-
Honestly, I kept reading this book and saying yes, yes, yes!!!! I believe that there are so many things that parents just aren’t aware of when it comes to giving your child electronics. The information that Riley provides here is quite valuable. We as parents are the first ones that are facing parenting with this type of technology. I know many parents themselves have become addicted to their screens and can’t seem to make it through the day with posting or commenting on their ever move. It’s hard to tell our kids no when we ourselves are hooked. Even if you don’t agree with what the author has to say, I do feel that the information presented will give you some food for thought. I’m saying that I consider this a must read!
Hello there Milena,
This seems like a nice book, I’ll make sure to check it out. Naomi seems to have touched the most problematic situations of mothers of today’s generation.
Again, I’ll make sure to give it a shot.
Cheers,
Laura
I absolutely love this! Kids are growing up way too fast and parents need to stay more involved in keeping them active and learning values! Electronics should not be a babysitter.
This is a timely read no doubt. Good parenting takes effort and unfortunately the ease of sitting kids in front of gadgets requires very little on the part of the parent, but there clearly needs to me more hands on parenting from parents. Clear boundaries need to be set on the use of devices. ..and seesaws really don’t need to be banned do they?
I need to pick this book up! As my kids are getting older, this is a topic I am struggling to balance!
This sounds like a good book to read. Will check it out ASAP. I enjoy reading a good book with a great thought process.
We are really strict with screen time too, although mine are 10, 8 and 6 so it is a lot easier to control. We have the same rule of no tablet time until the weekend and they do not have cell phones yet. But I know it is a struggle to be realistic with how things have changed, but offer alternatives to constant screen time. This sounds like a great book!
This book seems like it tells it like it is which something just what parents need to hear. Technology and kids can be hard to juggle and this book sounds like it can help parents navigate those waters.
This book reminds me of a post I wrote last month. Parents need to pay more attention to what their kids are doing online, it’s crazy.
There are so many good points here. The whole electronics debate is a big one. Our kids are only allowed any screen time on weekends. That includes television. It’s amazing the things they come up with to entertain themselves when they have the distraction-free space to do it. This sounds like a really good book.
You got my interest I will eb buying this book and share it with my daughters. In this technology era that we live in is great to have tools but when those tools become the rulers of our lives then this has to stop. Thanks for sharing the information about this book.
I just started back reading and listening to audiobooks. This is one I may need to add to my collection.