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Every human being wants to "fit in" to feel
validated and become a better version of themselves. Children mirror the
behavior of others to have a sense of belonging. Therefore, during their
formative years, they must receive messages to help them develop into unique
individuals. Once upon a time, parents controlled the majority of messages children
received inside and outside of the home. However, due to the increasing
presence of smartphones in children's lives, parents have lost control of the
messaging, especially for children with unlimited and unmonitored screen time.
Children with overexposure to smartphones are constantly
bombarded with messages about physical appearance, formulating relationships,
managing emotions and expressing them appropriately, how to think, and ways to
treat each other. If parents are unaware of these messages and consequently
unavailable to unpack these messages, the negative ones will impede children
from becoming the best versions of themselves.
NOW MEET THE AUTHOR
Marcia T. Caton
My Babysitter is a
Smartphone
Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
I attended New York City public school, Hunter College Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree, and New York University for Ph.D. Furthermore, I am a wife, mother, registered nurse, educator, researcher, coach, and motivational speaker. My most rewarding work is using education to assist families not to view life's challenges as insurmountable but to identify strategies to address them. For over a decade, I have been working with parents to establish better relationships with their children. Furthermore, I especially enjoy helping children discover their passions and use them to become the best person possible.
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What inspired you to author your book?
Although
parents were providing their children with a Smartphone, many were unsure of
the digital device's impact on children. Hence, I wrote this book to condense
the voluminous amounts of information available on mobile technology's effect
on children. Although parental decisions can be personal, parents need to
consider accurate, well-rounded information so they can make informed decisions
on ways to incorporate electronic devices in their children's life. Without
precise knowledge, parents will not be well equipped to examine their areas of
concern and make the best decisions for their children.
Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
I was inspired by a professional colleague who was disturbed by a parent handing a crying child a technological gadget rather than consoling the child. From my perspective, ``if this becomes the child's formative years’ experiences, then technology could become essential than in-person interactions.
Who has been the most significant influence on you
personally and as a writer?
Many individuals include parents, teachers, husbands, and
children who have encouraged me on this journey.
What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome
to get this book written?
Initially, some of
the obstacles I had to overcome to complete this book are writing anxiety,
perfectionist, and procrastination.
Tell your readers about your book.
Every human being wants to "fit in" to feel
validated and become a better version of themselves. Children mirror the
behavior of others to have a sense of belonging. Therefore, during their
formative years, they must receive messages to help them develop into unique
individuals. Once upon a time, parents controlled the majority of messages children
received inside and outside of the home. However, due to the increasing
presence of smartphones in children's lives, parents have lost control of the
messaging, especially for children with unlimited and unmonitored screen time.
Children with overexposure to smartphones are constantly
bombarded with messages about physical appearance, formulating relationships,
managing emotions and expressing them appropriately, how to think, and ways to
treat each other. If parents are unaware of these messages and consequently
unavailable to unpack these messages, the negative ones will impede children
from becoming the best versions of themselves.
 |
| BUY NOW ON AMAZON |
Who is your target audience, and why?
My primary audience is parents because they are responsible
for navigate the different ways to incorporate these devices into their
children's experiences while still promoting the development of their best
selves.
My secondary audience is individual with an interest in the
development of whole children.
If you were going to give one reason for anyone looking at your book to read, why should they buy it?
I
want this book to be relational. Therefore, I created the cast of characters to
be reflective of the changing family structure in society and lived experiences
to reinforced key points.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
I do not think about the most significant success; I would
rather talk about transformative experiences.
My most transformative experience has been completing this book and
seeing the hard copy of the book. One of
my adages is never to surrender, which was tested during my writing journey. I
overcame the challenges and brought my manuscript to fruition.
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What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in
your genre?
Because my background is in health and education, I looked
at the impact of the topic on parents and children through those lens.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
By removing myself as the author of the book
and becoming the transcriber of the information. Because as the author of the
book, you will want the book to be perfect by rechecking myself frequently and
consequently taking the joy out of sharing your information with others.
What one piece of advice do you have for new authors.
Emergent authors should identify a dedicated time and space to write, starting with a small amount of time and increasing the time as the writing progresses. During this time, if you develop a writing block, do not stop. Write anything that comes to mind. You may find yourself writing only one word, which is OK because it is more important to stick with the schedule.
Tell your readers anything else you want to share.
Self-care is essential for writers. Therefore, it is important
to meditate and go out into nature to clear your mind before writing.
