This post is written by Stephanie Petters, coordinator of the API Reads program:
Come on over to API Reads, on GoodReads, where we’re discussing the last few chapters of Nurturing the Soul of Your Family by Renée Peterson Trudeau.
API Reads is more than club for people who love to read books. It’s a place to share concerns and ideas to strengthen the connection to our children and families. For example, one reader posted the question, “Has the book inspired you to make any changes?” This is one of the responses:
“I’m also trying to take better care of myself. I have my first session with a personal trainer today! I’d like to start meditating, but with a baby who hates naps it’s hard to find time when I know I’ll be able to sit quietly, so I’ve been trying to make my showers meditative. We’ve also started having daily outdoor play time, and I’ve been trying to make sure we have some relaxed family time on the weekend.”
What else have we been discussing? How much technology can affect your family life, whether it is your friend or foe, and how can you help find a balance with it. Also how nature can play a role in balance.
“Yes, like you and Lex, it is harder for my husband to unplug. He loves video games and drawing, which he does on a tablet. During this, he usually has a movie or TV show in the background. There is nothing inherently wrong with these things; it’s how he enjoys himself. And he does take breaks to play with our one year old. We also have dinner together — tech free — and are making an effort to do the same with breakfast. At the same time, when we go on vacation and don’t have our machines, I do feel so much more connected.
I’m not sure how to deal with this imbalance in media use. I don’t find it ideal, but at the same time, my husband is at home, kind and attentive when he needs to be. It doesn’t seem worth a struggle. Thoughts?”
Share your ideas and join the discussion!
Our next book for discussion is for couples, Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix. It starts in September.
I don’t have advice, but I relate completely. I didn’t mind so much pre-kids, but having so many screens going all.the.time bothers me a lot more now. When my husband is away, I try to turn off the TV and have music playing instead. I’d like to catch up on my own guilty pleasures at that time, but I also want to set the example that the TV can (gasp!) be off sometimes. It drives me crazy to have it on for background now that we have kids! Part of it is probably that I’ve read about the drawbacks to screen time – for children especially – whereas my husband doesn’t read those studies, nor feel the need to. I agree though, it almost doesn’t feel worth fighting so long as my husband continues to be attentive, which he is. And he spends more time outdoors with our son than I do.
So… Following this post. 🙂