Calmer, Easier, Happier Screen Time: For Parents of Toddlers to Teens: A Guide to Getting Back in Charge of Technology

Janis-Norton (Calmer, Easier, Happier Boys), a learning and behavior specialist, addresses this helpful childcare manual to the frustrating challenge of trying to manage children’s and teens’ electronic media use. Janis-Norton shows parents how to assess whether there’s a problem, reminding them that they’re responsible for teaching and maintaining healthy screen-use habits. As Janis-Norton sees it, there are four main issues: how much screen time kids get daily, what they’re really doing and looking at, at what time of day they’re using their devices, and where they are during that time. She promises that by employing her straightforward cognitive- and behavior-modification strategies of “descriptive praise,” “parental resolve, “reflective listening,” the “never ask twice” method, and insisting on plenty of quality time, moms and dads can set more balanced, beneficial screen-use habits for their families. Sidebars throughout offer FAQs with detailed answers and action steps, and two appendices feature useful additional resources. This is a cogent addition to Janis-Norton’s Calmer, Easier, Happier series of parenting books. (Sept.)