As part of the Mom’s Select program I was given the opportunity to read and review The Entitlement-Free Child written by Karen Deerwester. In a world of quick fixes and instant gratification, The Entitlement-Free Child is your essential resource for how and when to say no, how and when to praise, how to handle age-appropriate challenges, and how to set reasonable expectations – all while maintaining unconditional love. Parenting expert Deerwester offers hundreds of practical strategies and hands-on tips to guide you through today’s confusing parenting situations at home and in public.

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning from the different examples and situations she presented. While my child is still only an infant I have also known that there

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I recently contacted a representative with Weber Shandwick public relations regarding a chance to read and review Kathy Buckworth’s latest book, ‘The BlackBerry Diaries: Adventures in Modern Motherhood.’  It’s a year-long blog account of her life with her BlackBerry, and how, as a mother of four, her two worlds — technology and children — collide.

Within days of reaching out I heard back from Weber Shandwick and they sent me a free copy of the book to read at my leisure and provide an honest review. So here I am, I have just finished the book and now I am ready to share my thoughts.

I certainly did enjoy reading the book from beginning to end. It is a light hearted, fun and upbeat book with loads of laughs. My favorite feature of the book is the flow. It reads very similar to a blog. Kathy actually refers to the book as a plog given that blog is short for web-log and this book is on paper. She even captures more of a blog like essences by including tags at the end of each entry.

Now I myself am not a BBSP (BlackBerry Smart Phone) owner, but I do have a smart phone that I have with me everywhere. I can certainly relate to the ease,  convenience and importance of my phone and its constant proximity to me. However, I don’t believe my attachment level has grown to the heights expressed in the book. But then again I only have one child and my husband is actually pretty supportive and helpful around the home so maybe one day when more kids arrive and stress levels rise I will be more in tune with my BlackBerry side.

I highly recommend this book to all the modern mothers out there. If not just for the pure entertainment, then for some ideas and tricks on how to better utilize your own BBSP in times of need.

Want a chance to read the BlackBerry Diaries for yourselves?  There are 2 ways to enter the contest for a chance to win the book for free.

1. Leave a comment here telling me what piece of modern technology do you use to help cope through those long boring business meetings, children’s recitals or PTA meetings?
2. Post a tweet mentioning the contest and book. Then post another comment with the link to your tweet.

Contest will end on Friday, September 25th and a winner chosen on Saturday, September 26th. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. (Please be sure to provide a valid email address with your comment.)

If you would like to purchase your own copy check out the book on amazon.com.

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I was intrigued when given the book by its cover and title and though, ‘hey this would be some interesting reading’ but discovered quickly this isn’t your everyday book to just pick up and browse through. Ablow sends you on a journey into your past that will ultimately lead you into discovering details and incidents from your history that have some significant impact on your life and how you are living today. He helps you on this journey by providing insight, knowledge and facts along with real living examples and a unique interactive section in every chapter. After providing the insight he then brings it back to you to be honest with yourself as he presents several questions to help you dig into your past and your feelings.

Admittedly, I found it very difficult at first to really engage in the total aspect of the book because I didn’t pick it up and start reading with the intentions of transforming my life, I was simply reading it to share my opinion about it in the end. This book is really geared towards people who have recognized that they have a problem and are will and able to do some self discovery in order to be healed. I wasn’t there. However, about half way through I did start to really think about my life, where I am, my habits and issues and started to really consider their roots. In an effort to not divulge too much of the books content I will restrain from saying everything, but once you get into the book you will see a distinct connection between the person you are today and the events of your past, particularly those involving close family members (parents, siblings, etc.) You would be amazed at just how much your family has really shaped your life, from big ways to small little habits.

It was after discovering the connection between our parents and our current condition that I became extremely TERRIFIED!!!

Not so much for myself, over the past few years and even more today after reading this book, I feel I have a good grasp on my issues and have been able to be ‘freed’ from their possible destructive behaviors. However, I fear that it is inevitable that either my husband or myself will do something that will a lasting effect our child forever. It could be something as small as always being 10 minutes late in picking him up from practice, and that could lead him to never trusting anyone to be on time for him and constantly worry if he would be forgotten.

Ablow does admit that majority of the time the parents and family members really do not intend to cause harm with their actions and are not to blame … well kind of. They aren’t to blame because of the cycle. Your grandparents have done something to your parents that they never got over so now the destructive behavior is in them and they unknowing project it unto you. Which still kind of puts it back on the parent, just without the finger pointing.

Would I recommend this book: Yes I would especially to any one who is currently or knows some one who suffers from any of the following (overeating, overspending, obsession over a romantic relationship, constantly arguing with family, obsession over dieting, sexual indiscretions or addiction, perfectionism, staying online for hours, addiction to pornography, gambling, cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs.) This can be a great resourse to getting to the root of the problem and not a bandaid to make it feel better.

I would like to take this chance to offer this book to you. Especially if you feel you or a family member could benefit from its words of wisdom. There are 2 ways to enter the contest for a chance to win the book for free.

1. Leave a comment here telling me if you have heard of the author, read one of his books, or just really interested in his interpretation of your life.
2. Post a tweet mentioning the contest and book. Then post another comment with the link to your tweet.

Contest will end on Friday, August 28th and a winner chosen on Saturday, August 29th. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. (Please be sure to provide a valid email address with your comment.)

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