Bob Waliszewski - Plugged-In Parenting: How to Raise Media-Savvy Kids with Love, Not War

Todays parents are between a rock and a hard place. They want to protect their kids from the worst of the Internet, TV, movies, video games, and musicbut they dont want to wreck their relationship with their children by always saying no. Good thing Bob Waliszewski can show you the why and how of teaching your kids to make wise entertainment choices. Create your Family Entertainment Constitution and start practicing Plugged-In Parenting.

GARY SMALLEY

Author, Change Your Heart, Change Your Life

Bob Waliszewski is one of the foremost experts in the world on creating a media-safe home. This is a must read for any parent who wants to help their kids navigate the ever-changing culture and thrive. Plugged-In Parenting is filled with practical insight and years of wisdom. This book could be the most important investment you can make in the lives of your kids.

JIM BURNS

President, HomeWord; author of Confident Parenting and Teenology: The Art of Raising Great Teenagers

Bob Waliszewski knows what he is talking about! He is a brilliant man with a brilliant message. Families with children need this book to protect them from the degrading media influences that plague this nation. The timing of this book could not be better!

DR. JOE WHITE

President, Kanakuk Kamps

I was six years old when my brother took me to see The Blob. Although tame in comparison to what passes for science fiction horror today, I had nightmares for months. In fact, I was convinced an amoeba-type alien would find his way into my tiny bedroom in Southern California! Over four decades later I still remember how those graphic scenes clouded my innocent mind. In this excellent and timely book, Bob Waliszewski provides wise counsel along with useful tools that will help parents put into practice the old song many children still sing: Be careful little eyes what you see and little ears what you hear. Thanks to Bob and his latest contribution, when it comes to media and music consumption, that very difficult job has been made easier.

JIM DALY

President, Focus on the Family

Dont let technology build a wedge between you and your kids. In order to rise above the challenges that our ever-changing world presents, you need to have a united front at home. Plugged-In Parenting is a street-smart, grace-filled approach to preparing your kids to succeed in a media-driven culture.

DR. TIM KIMMEL

Author, Grace-Based Parenting

DARCY KIMMEL

Co-author, Extreme Grandparenting

There has never been a more urgent need for children (and their parents!) to exercise discernment when it comes to making choices about media and entertainment. With cutting-edge content and practical steps for implementation, Plugged-In Parenting equips the parents so that they may equip their children. This is a resource that I strongly encourage parents to read.

ALEX MCFARLAND

Author, Stand Strong in College

How to Raise Media-Savvy Kids
with Love, Not War

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois

Plugged-In Parenting

Copyright 2011 Focus on the Family

A Focus on the Family book published by Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188

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ISBN: 978-1-60482-808-5

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This book is affectionately dedicated to my best friend, advisor, counselor, confidant, dedicated companion, and love of my life, Leesa.

You lived (and still do) these principles way before the Holy Spirit began to instill them in me, and for that I am eternally grateful. Much of what I now know, believe, practice, and teach began by watching you and attempting to model your well-lived life. Even as Ive rubbed shoulders with many whove failed, compromised, and cut corners, your wisdom, purity, and Christian maturity have been rock-solid. Would this book have been written if we hadnt met and fallen in love? I dont think so. Iron sharpens iron, and youve honed me over our three-plus decades together. During the seven years I was a Christian before we exchanged vows, I was mostly ignorant of the importance of honoring the Lord with my media choices. You, on the other hand, believed you should honor Him with all your choices. Like so many, I had compartmentalized entertainment and made media decisions my way. Thanks for patiently being an incredible source of inspiration, and a solid example of a Christ-centered woman!

As I explain in the fifth chapter, the seeds of this book were planted when a teenager in my youth group handed me a teaching cassette tape, the content of which forever changed my life. Thank you, Todd OConnell. I would guess that you dont even remember doing it. But Ive never forgotten. That tapes primary message not only planted a spiritual seed, but watered and germinated it, too. As I listened, the lightbulb finally went on for me. Yes, I began to see, Jesus does care about my music choices. When I digested that simple truth, it only made sense that He also cared about the rest of my entertainment choices.

Thank you, Leesa, Kelsey, and Trevor, for allowing me to share several of your stories in this book. I think they will resonate with readers who will be able to see themselves in your (our) lives.

Appreciation is also due Alanna Gosey, who helped me cite my sources more accurately. Thanks, too, Alanna, for helping me with some of the research, as did Mauri Mays, a former Plugged In assistant. Thanks, Mauri!

An important interview referenced in this bookthat of school shooter Jamie Rousewould not have happened without the help of media specialist Phil Chalmers. Thanks, Phil!

John Duckworth, many thanks are due you, my editor, as you pored over my rough manuscript and smoothed out the many ragged edges. You helped create order, flow, and continuitywithout interrupting my style, my passion, or my verbiage. Howd you do that? This ability is both a gifting and a calling!

Certainly Id be amiss if I failed to acknowledge the entire Plugged In team. Throughout this book there are bits and pieces from each of youa quote, a stat, a news article. Perhaps even one or two of the principles I highlight in this book came, at least in part, through a conversation we had driving to Denver for a movie screening or as we shared in one of our Show n Tell meetings. Its hard to recall how everything came together, but I know we share a like passionand over the years, I became a better writer, researcher, and teacher because Ive rubbed shoulders with you, my colleagues.