Twilight ~ By Stephenie Meyer
January 5, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
When I first thought about reading the Twilight series I was not too sure if I was going to like it. Both my children had read Twilight and could not put it down. Before my kids had read Twilight I had not even heard of the Novel much less had any interest in reading the book. Now I have to admit once I picked up Twilight by Stephenie Meyers I could not put it down. The book keep me interest from the start until the finish and once I was finished Twilight I was ready to pick up the next book in the series. Below you will find a short review of the book and thoughts at the end.
Bella decides it is time to go and live with her Dad for a while in the small town of Fork where the sun never shines and they says always seem gray. After the first day of school Bella has made a new friends, a boy hate her and a boy hot on her heels.
But after a few weeks of school she is sure of two things. One she can not stay away from Edward who is sure positive is a vampire and two she want to find out as much as she can about vampires, Edward and Edwards family. Plus she starts to notice that Edward is always there when she gets herself into trouble.
It all comes down to will Edward be able to get her out of the last mess she has gotten herself into or will he have to leave town to get away from her?
Stephenie Meyer is an amazing author who keeps you on your toes and wondering what is going to happen next and who is hiding around the next corner. She finds a way to make Vampires and love seem normal. Not even halfway into the first chapter of this book I could not put it down. I had to now what kind of trouble Bella was going to get into next and how she was going to get out of it.
New Moon is the next book in the Twilight Series.
Generation Text: Raising Well-Adjusted Kids in an Age of Instant Everything
January 3, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Generation Text: Raising Well-Adjusted Kids in an Age of Instant Everything
by Dr. Michael Osit
Modern parents are concerned about the effects of technology on their kids. Younger and younger children are spending more and more time interacting not with human beings, but with gadgets – cell phones, computers, video games, and other devices. Do we have reason to be concerned, and if yes, how do we go about setting limits?
In the book Generation Text, Dr. Osit reveals how the combination of high-tech interaction and immediate gratification is putting our children at risk for developing distorted self-image, poor work ethic, a sense of entitlement, and weakened social skills, as well as aggressive tendencies. Parents owe it to their kids to set boundaries when it comes to the use of gadgets, for their kid’s long term physical, emotional as well as social health.
Statistics show that kids spend more than half of their playtime in front of screens. The effect of this is that kids are less connected to the family. Why should parents be concerned about this?
1. Impairment of social skills – when machine to machine interaction replaces person to person interaction too much of the time, kids will not readily learn nuances essential to social skills.
For example, texting eliminates many challenges socially that contain important lessons for kids and teens to learn.
2. Changing values – the attitudes and behavior of kids has declined because modern kids have access to the world. The messages they get are not always appropriate.
3. Anonymity – we get more brazen and nervy when using technology.
That is not always healthy for relationships.
Dr. Osit refers to access and excess in his book. Access refers to easy availability of the world and other people. Kids can be all over the world in their bedrooms. Children can be exposed to ideas and concepts that are disturbing and that can change their developing brains. In the past, parents tried to protect their kids from these influences until they were more mature and could make better decisions. Now it’s harder than ever to do so.
Excess – kids who live in economically privileged parts of the world have too many privileges and possessions. There is often is a sense of entitlement with these things. What is acceptable and common for the age group is not always appropriate. Parents need to think about what’s best for their child and family, not what the neighbors are doing.
Instant Gratification
Too much technology can lead to weak delayed gratification muscles. As parents we need to help our kids learn how to delay gratification in order for them to be happy, healthy adults. Many parents are going overboard in expending too much money, time and resources. Parents are operating in a busier, fast paced world and because of guilt we say yes, sometimes to compensate for a lack of time.
Studies show that kids – even teens – really do respect and admire their parents and want to please them. They also crave to spend more time with their parents. We need to start creating more balance with our kids and give them the gift of our focused attention instead of more gadgets.
When used the right way, technology can be an asset. For instance, shy kids can use technology to boost their social ability. It can compensate for their weakness. What is needed is to establish limits and boundaries with your kids before you give your child the privilege of using technology such as the internet. Instruct them on what they should do for example, if they come across pornography online.
Computers should be kept in a public area of the home and the rules of use posted nearby. Parental controls are easy to implement and some of these are free from the internet service provider. Kids should be coached to come to the parents if they stumble on something inappropriate online. Encourage them to come to you if that happens and help them understand that you will not get angry but will talk about it. This is an opportunity for you to hand down your values to your kids.
Dr. Osit suggests eliminating distractions during family times and setting a good example by turning off cell phones at the dinner table and on family outings. Model the behavior you want. If a parent is addicted to their Blackberry, then they can hardly criticize their child for being addicted to their handheld gaming system.
Carrie Lauth is the host of http://www.NaturalMomsTalkRadio.com/blog, a weekly internet talk radio show and podcast for natural families. To read more natural parenting book reviews, visit: http://naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog/reviews/
Baby Love
January 1, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Baby Love is a wonderful Romance Novel By Catherine Anderson. Once I read this book I just new that I had to share this book with you.
Maggie Stanley and her new born baby are on the run. And Maggie is alone and being threatened when Raf Kenkaid is her bum in shining armor. Rafe Saves her from the most scariest time of her life and then turns around and buys her and her baby a good nights sleep and food for their bellies.
But the is much more to Rafe then he is letting on. Rafe is scared to death that Maggie is dying as he rushes her to the nearest hospital. Once Maggie wakes up and realizes where she is at she learns much more then what has happened to her in the last 24 hours.
Rafe is not the bums Maggie thought he was. Rafe ends up taking Maggie home to meet the family, but will Rafe keep Maggie and Baby Jamie safe for danger that is looking for them? And will Rafe be the man Maggie deserves? But most important will Maggie and Jamie fill the empty feelings Rafe has been feeling for way too long?
Catherine Anderson writes a wonderful novel about romance, lost love and danger.
