Little Things Remembered: Making Your Children Feel Special Every Day...Review

About the book:
What it is your fondest childhood memory?

​As digital devices take over family life in subtle and seductive ways, what will happen to child development and childhood memories?

You may remember taking adventurous bike rides, playing Monopoly, or building a birdhouse with a parent. Today’s children, however, are more likely to have stronger recollections of their iPads and cellphones. They spend more time with screens than they do at school or with their parents.

Susan Newman, Ph.D., social psychologist and author of 15 books in the family relationships field, just released an updated edition of her 1993 bestseller, Little Things Long Remembered: Making Your Children Feel Special Every Day. She asks your audience to take a trip down memory lane to understand the developmental risks of “screens” and why most families need a “digital detox.”

Think it adorable when a 4-year-old masters a tablet before she can dress herself? Think again. “In some families, technology has become a parenting tool,” she says and notes, “Devices, not necessarily siblings, are competition for parents’ time. But, there is no substitute for parental time and attention in terms of a child’s development whatever a child’s age.”

Newman’s “little things” can be incorporated into family life without busy parents feeling as if they need to constantly entertain or occupy their children, or spend money they do not have. Divided into convenient time​ f​rames, the activities in Little Things Long Remembered range from simple gestures, to a minute or two, a half hour, over the weekend, and every holiday—big and small; from Valentine’s Day through New Year’s. Each is designed to feed a child’s memory bank and encourage a basic appreciation for interacting and learning outside of the mesmerizing glitz of electronic screens.

The ideas underscore findings from a recent Harvard study: Don’t underestimate the impact of the mundane things you do with your children, especially things that seem commonplace or unexciting. Over time, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

While I am not one who feels the need to manufacture memories or experiences for my children, I did like this little gem of a book. It made me reflect on the things I already do with my children more than anything else. The book is full of little suggested activities or gestures that you can do to make a memory and strengthen a parent/child relationship. Ideas like, "attend the same fair or carnival every year" or  "pitch a tent in your own backyard" and "write a short letter to your children each year on their birthday". There are sections with suggestions for things you can do when you're away from each other, or when you have 5 minutes or less.

Much of the book is really just common sense and you'll probably find that you already do or have done many of these suggestions. However, it's always nice to be reassured that you're doing a great job as a parent.

The book is short and would be a great little gift or stocking stuffer for someone.

Thanks to Laura with iRead Book Tours for the opportunity to review this book. You can learn more about Susan Newman here. You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 12/14

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5/5 Stars

Comments

  1. Thank you for your wonderful review. It's true, readers may recognize some of the ideas in the book, but many come with a twist that makes them stand out in a child's mind or become special to his or her family. And, let's face it, we all need a reminder now and then:) Happy holidays and again, thank you. Susan Newman

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  2. I'd love to win this book! I have a young grandson and I think this would be an excellent book to read to give him awesome memories.

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