Video Games & Your Kids – How Parents Stay in Control
July 21, 2008 by · 1 Comment
Video Games & Your Kids – How Parents Stay in Control
by Hilarie Cash, PhD and Kim McDaniel, MA
Like many parents, I’m concerned about my kids not spending too much time in front of a screen. Whether that be television, computer, or video games. Ever since becoming a parent I decided that I would not own a video game system. One reason for this is because I have seen how they interfere with other, more important activities like reading, spending time with family, helping around the house, etc. It seems that boys in particular have a hard time accepting limits around gaming. Since I have two sons, I didn’t want any part of the constant fighting over the system between themselves and refusing to accept boundaries and limits that I see in other families. I’ve also observed kids missing sleep and even social interaction with peers because of spending too much in in artificial world, with detrimental effects.
This book gathers research, science and data about why parents should be concerned about video games. Rather than being the greatest invention since the baby wipe, video games aren’t always just harmless fun. For one, video games are highly addictive. Video games have negative effects on the body and the brain – not only do video games contribute to a sedentary lifestyle but they also retrain the brain and the way it thinks. This has deleterious effects on how a child learns and their ability to learn outside the game. Video games can also lead to a reduced attention span and reduced ability to deal appropriately in social situations.
Interestingly, the authors aren’t totally opposed to video games but remind parents that they must be very careful about their use. This book is helpful to a parent to give them confidence in their gut feelings that allowing a child to have unrestricted access to video games is a bad thing. It also gives you some pointers from these experts on how to spot video game addiction and how to get help for your child – and even yourself or a spouse if you are the ones with a problem.
Carrie Lauth is a work at home Mom of 4. Read more of her opinions on parenting books and other products at http://www.naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog
Keegan’s Lady
July 19, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
Keegan’s Lady
By: Catherine Anderson
A man of honor, Ace Keegan returned to No Name intending to avenge his stepfather’s murder. But when his calculated anger damages the good name of his dead enemy’s daughter, Ace vows to make amends by marrying the flame-haired Caitlin. For the Secret Pain, insecurity and cruel innuendo cannnot dim the proud spirit of the women they wrongly called “Keegan’s Whore.” And Ace is determined to nurture with patience and love the light his lady Caitlin guards in her damaged heart… until it blazes with the power of a thousands suns.
Catherine Anderson brings you into No Name and make you feel so warm and at home. This was one of those books that I just could not put down. The more I read the more I wanted to know. The deeper I got into the book the harder it became to put down. I could not stop reading this book until I was at the end and then I wanted more. I was glad to find out that this book was part of a squeal.
Caitlin does the unthinkable to save her family name. And Ace accepts her proposal. Caitlin learns to love a man that she started out hating just as Ace begins to fall for a women he is ready to ruin. Caitlin and Ace have a love hate relationship but every once in a while you can see a spark in their eyes and they try to hard to hate each other.
I would suggest this great book to anyone and everyone that likes a good romance with a little twist.
Review By Tricia Gardner
The Modern Moms Guide to Dads
July 17, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads: Ten Secrets Your Husband Won’t Tell You
by Hogan Hilling and Jesse Jayne Rutherfood
Now that baby has made 3, are you confused by your husband’s behavior towards you and the baby? Then you need to read this book so you can understand what’s going on inside his head.
Author Hogan Hilling is a founder of an expecting Dad’s support group, so not only does he have the insider track – being a Dad to 3 himself – but also as someone who hears the good, the bad and the ugly from other Dads who share their experiences.
The first chapter of the book, on marriage comes first, gives you a clue as to what’s really important to fathers: that he continues being #1 in your life. While he’s greatly affected by his feelings about becoming a father and of love for his child, he doesn’t share the same hormonal and biological imperative to forget all else the way moms sometimes do. Knowing this can lead to greater understanding between new parents. Moms do well to understand that it’s not so much that their husbands are jealous of the new baby (although this does admittedly happen), it’s that he doesn’t want their relationship to be put on the back burner.
Another common issue of disagreement between new moms and dads is in the arena of household stuff and childcare. Relax, ladies: according to the author, new dads are far less critical than you think about you keeping the house as clean as before – and in fact are willing to step up, if you know how to communicate with them.
There are parts of the book I found frustrating, such as the honest admission from one dad that he found it difficult to be close to his wife after seeing her give birth, which made me think that he needs to grow up!
But on the whole, the book provides an honest look into what men are really thinking about fatherhood but are often afraid to say.
Carrie Lauth is a work at home mom of 4 from Atlanta GA, and host of http://www.naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog
Surviving the Summer at Home Ecourse
July 3, 2008 by · 1 Comment
Surviving The Summer At Home Ecourse!
Unplug your kids from their video games and get them moving and thinking this summer! Gain immediate access to themed activity reports full of activities. Use your valuable time to reconnect with your family.
Every week you will receive a new report. I have been receiving these reports since she first started doing them and I have to say I love these reports. Christina give you projects to do, a word of the day, information about the subject, a word find and recommended reading. My daughter now looks forward to the next report and each day of the week we work on something different in the report.
If you are looking for something to help you survive the summer with your children then please go and sign up for Christina’s Surviving The Summer Ecourse
We Have A Winner!
July 2, 2008 by · 2 Comments
As you know yesterday on launch day we decided to give you a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card, you’ve probably been anxiously awaiting the winner annoucement. I won’t keep you in suspence any longer then.
May I have a drum roll please? . . .
(drum roll)
Thank you.
and the winner is
Nan Gomez
Congratulations Nan! We at Moms Love Reading will be contacting you soon. Enjoy your prize!
