CONTENTS

Introduction

Why Do Adults Give up on Being Playful?

The Top 10 Fears That Hold Adults Back

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

This adulting thing can be hard, very hard. That’s true whether you’re raising a family or just yourself. In some cases, we were warned by our parents. For the most part, though, becoming an adult looked amazing, with little to no downside.

As a child, you saw your parents doing what you thought was whatever they liked. Little did you know that their efforts were driven by a desire for you to have the best possible life. While that was the case, all you saw were people who got to stay up late and make the rules.

Wouldn’t that be awesome when you were finally able to do it? It’s something you begin to look forward to … growing up.

Your parents and other grown-ups jumped into their cars whenever they wanted and drove anywhere. They could go shopping or to a restaurant. They always had money to buy things. You never had money and certainly weren’t able to drive a car.

That desire for adult-like independence was the reason you couldn’t wait to learn to ride a bicycle. You felt like a grown-up because you had a sense of being able to get up and go and explore. You could jump on your bike and take off! The end of the block, or “just down the road,” felt like it was a million miles away. This was, to you, your first taste of grown-up freedom.

Fast-forward a few years, and you’re leaving high school. You’ve heard as long as you remember that you can become whatever you want to become. You can’t wait to officially enter adulthood. It’s going to be so sweet! Then you get out on your own at 18 or 20, or 25 years of age. What are all these responsibilities? There’s so much to do. Where is all the freedom and independence you thought your parents had when you were a kid? Why is life so tough?

Then the truth of the situation hits you. This grown-up thing isn’t very fun, and being a kid definitely was.

Why Do Adults Give up on Being Playful?

Ask any grown-up if they have enough leisure time, and they’ll look at you like you’re speaking a language from another planet. Of course, they don’t have enough time to do what they want? Why ask such a crazy question?

There’s never enough time for fun and playful activities. Only the independently wealthy can truly enjoy their lives, spending as much time as possible doing what they want rather than what they have to do.

That’s the number one reason grown-ups will give you if you ask why they don’t spend more time on enjoyable activities. They’ll tell you their job, family responsibilities, social commitments, and other “have to do” activities keep them from having any downtime. They have to be serious 24/7. There simply isn’t any time for humor and fun, and play.

Then there’s the fact that adults constantly worry.

Kids don’t. A child just does what he does for the sake of doing it. He’s not too concerned about consequences. He chases a butterfly or goes out of his way to splash in a rain puddle just because. It’s fun. So he does it.

The Top 10 Fears That Hold Adults Back

What is it that adults worry about most of the time? According to Inc. Magazine, in a blog post titled “The Top 10 Fears That Hold People Back in Life, According to a Psychotherapist”, here’s what your adult mind is stressing over most of the time. (They are listed in no particular order.)

1. Change (Good or Bad)
2. Being Lonely
3. Failing
4. Being Rejected
5. Uncertainty
6. The Results Are Going to Be Bad
7. Being Hurt
8. Judgment
9. Feelings of Inadequacy
10. A Loss of Freedom

As an adult, you need to understand that change is inevitable. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes bad, but it is guaranteed to happen. Many changes are out of your control. Instead of worrying and fretting over change coming into your life and wreaking havoc, accept that it will appear and stop stressing about it.

If you worry about being lonely, guess what’s going to happen? We often create self-fulfilling prophecies. This means that concerning yourself with loneliness can lead to that reality. The fear of loneliness can also keep you in less than healthy relationships rather than going it alone.

Look, everyone hates failing. Sometimes we adults would rather simply not try because we’re scared of what will happen if we fail. This mindset will always fill you with stress and anxiety, which means less fun and happiness in your life.

Adults are constantly worried about being rejected in relationships and on the job. They don’t attempt new things or reach out to connect with others because they’re uncertain about what’s going to happen. The result could be bad.

Adults fear getting their feelings hurt, especially by loved ones. If they reach out to others for a little fun or just less seriousness, what if they’re judged poorly? They might feel inadequate to those around them.

Finally, adults are often fearful of a loss of freedom. Be careful that this doesn’t lead you into a bad situation. Someone who embraces freedom may avoid getting a steady job, which can lead to financial issues.

If these and other grown-up worries are constantly rolling around in your head, force yourself to take a break. Call your friends for a night out on the town. Take a walk, cycle with your BFF, or watch a funny movie.

Play, laugh, and smile like a child again. Enjoying the present moment without expectations can help remove yourself from these bothersome adult worries that can cause physical and mental stress.

You Probably Have More Free Time Than You Think You Do

By the way, the common excuse that adults don’t have much free time for playing around and goofing off might not be correct. Consider this.

NBC News reported in September of 2021 that the “… sweet spot for free time is about 3 or 3.5 hours per day.”

Life satisfaction was at its highest when people “had in the neighborhood of 2.5 hours of free time a day.”

[American Psychology Association – Having Too Little or Too Much Time Is Linked to Lower Subjective Well-Being – Sharif, Mogilner, Hershfield]

Adults will tell you they don’t have anywhere near that amount of free time. They might agree that they would have a much better life if they could enjoy their hobbies or other playful activities for a few hours each day. As it turns out, most adult Americans have more free time than they think they do (or will admit to having).

As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), research from doctors Roland Sturm, Ph.D., and Deborah A Cohen, MD, reveals that you might have more leisure time than you realize. Here’s one big takeaway from that study.

• “Americans averaged more than 5 hours of free time per day; no subgroup reported having less than 4.5 hours of free time per day.”

[Sturm R, Cohen, DA – Free Time and Physical Activity among Americans 15 Years or Older: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the American Time Use Survey]

No subset of the data had less than 4.5 hours of free time each day. This means people in their late teen years and twenties, thirties and forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, and older all had a minimum of 4.5 hours of leisure time.

CONCLUSION

Take an honest look at your life. How many 10 or 15 or 20-minute blocks of free time do you have? You don’t have to have fun in large doses. You can fill those small sections of your day with playtime and laughter rather than worry and stress.

We know that engaging in fun and enjoyable activities just for the sake of the activity itself, not for a specific result or achievement, is a great stress reliever. It can also put your life in perspective and help you learn not to take life too seriously all of the time.

It means that adults, including you, probably have a good bit of time to stop and smell the roses.

Prioritize play in your life. You never know when your number will be called, so why not have some fun? You know how good you feel when you laugh and smile. Schedule time for those activities that put a smile on your face. Hang out with that friend that makes you laugh.

Go out of your way to schedule more play and less seriousness. You can live a happier, healthier, and longer life. You can also find a lot more appreciation of your life, yourself, and the people in it.

Here’s to you smiling and laughing more and stressing out less.

It’s a difficult choice, but here’s what you need to consider in a nutshell.

Benefits of Homeschooling that outweigh Public Schools

Homeschooling Strengthens Values & Beliefs

• Homeschooling allows families to intentionally instill values that are important to them and the freedom to share and practice their faith without restrictions.
• Public schools promote a fixed set of values, often without room for critical thought or diverse perspectives.

Self-Discipline is required in homeschooling.

• In homeschool, discipline comes from within, not from peer pressure or performance competition.
• Learning to do the work even when it’s hard or boring = real growth.
• Contrast this with the high-achieving public-school students often running on OCD-like habits.

Early Intervention

• Problems—academic, behavioral, learning disabilities—are often caught early in homeschool.
• Public school systems often miss these issues until it’s too late or harder to reverse unhealthy habits.

Social Struggles and safety

• Homeschooling minimizes exposure to toxic social games: popularity, fashion, peer pressure.
• Public school culture tends to push conformity over individuality.
• There has been a rise in school shootings and safety concerns over the years.

Bullying

• It exists in public school, period—even the good ones.
• Homeschool environments naturally reduce bullying due to smaller, safer social dynamics where adults are present.

Independent Thought

Public school tends to promote conformity through standard curriculum and groupthink dynamics.

Homeschool fosters real critical thinking: reading widely, analyzing deeply, discussing openly.

The Case for Public Schooling

1. Access to Certified Teachers & Specialists
   Public schools employ trained educators, special education professionals, counselors, and support staff who are equipped to handle a wide range of academic and emotional needs.
2. Built-in Socialization
   Students interact daily with a variety of peers, helping them develop essential social skills, emotional intelligence, and teamwork—sometimes these skills are hard to replicate in smaller settings.
3. Diversity of Perspectives & Experiences
   Public school classrooms often reflect broader society, exposing students to different cultures, beliefs, socioeconomic backgrounds, and worldviews.
4. Extracurricular Opportunities
   Sports teams, music programs, theater, clubs, and leadership organizations are often more accessible and varied and are often offered free of cost to students.
5. Support for Working Families
   Public schools provide consistent, structured schedules and resources like transportation and school meals, offering vital support for dual-income or single-parent households.

Challenges and Trade-offs

While both homeschooling and public schooling offer unique benefits, they also come with their share of challenges and trade-offs. Homeschooling requires a significant time and energy investment from parents, who are also juggling teaching with their other responsibilities. And while most homeschoolers are tired of hearing about “socialization” it can also be a concern if families aren’t intentional about creating community connections.

On the other hand, public school students may face larger class sizes, less individualized attention, and exposure to bullying or peer pressure. While public schools offer a more structured environment and access to trained educators, they also come with curriculum constraints and limited flexibility.

What It Really Comes Down To

It’s a big decision to decide on your child’s educational path. But you are the best person to make that choice. Consider what is truly important to you and what is best for your child and your family then move forward in that direction. Homeschooling has changed a lot over the years. You don’t have to do it alone. There is a plethora of online classes, support groups, co-ops, and people that are around you if you just look.

S Is For Swords: And So Are All The Other Letters (The Amazing World of Swords)

Written by Luke Ralliston

What a unique and fascinating book!

The author has managed to find a sword that begins with every letter of the alphabet. In addition, Rawlings lists the advantages and disadvantages of each with wry, sarcaster humor. The illustrations are amazing!

Readers learn letters of the alphabet along with the history and culture of each sword. A must for sword fans of any age. This book can be appreciated by a reader of any age who has an interest in swords.

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This post is sponsored by Expound Publicity. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hope for Moms: It’s Tough Out There, but So Are You

Written by Anna McArthur

Ages: 18+ | 168 Pages

Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press (2025) | ISBN: 978-1-64343-560-2

Publisher’s Book Summary: Many of us did everything we could to prepare for becoming moms, but there just wasn’t any way to know what might lie ahead. Most of us have, at one point or another, looked around and wondered if we are alone in our parenting challenges. Hope for Moms offers a heartfelt guide for mothers navigating both the joys and heartbreak of being a mom, sharing Anna McArthur’s personal journey through parenting difficulties such as learning disabilities, LGBTQ+ identities, and adoption. Structured around a triage plan that helped the author prioritize her family’s needs, it includes practical insights, quotes, and reflection questions to support moms in their journey of resilience and soul care. With gentleness and humor, McArthur provides reassurance to mothers, reminding them they have the strength to not only survive motherhood, but thrive.

McArthur provides reassurance to mothers, reminding them they have the strength to not only survive motherhood, but thrive. If you’re a mom who feels overwhelmed by the curveballs life has thrown your way, you aren’t alone—yes, it’s tough out there, but so are you!

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anna McArthur is a mom to four kids, including two recent college graduates and twin girls who are high schoolers. She is a blogger, newspaper guest columnist, and contributor to parenting magazines and websites, including Her View from Home and the Motherly Collective. Anna’s essays have recently been published by Grown and Flown and Business Insider.

A graduate of Clemson University and Columbia Theological Seminary, Anna lives in Athens, Georgia, with her husband, Bryan, and their teenaged girls, who are much cooler than her. Anna loves to read, garden, hike, and eat dips for dinner.

For more information, visit hopeformomsbook.com.

https://www.instagram.com/hopeformomsbook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555908861922

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

TURNING LIFE’S CURVEBALLS INTO HOME RUNS

Hope for Moms: It’s Tough Out There, but So Are You
Written by: Anna McArthur

A book written from the heart by a mom who has faced social-emotional challenges, physical disabilities, and financial distress while raising her family. Any parent will attest to the fact that parenting is one job that comes without a playbook or set of rules. McArthur shares her difficult journey in the hope that her experiences and difficult lessons will benefit other families.

She reminds moms that it is okay to accept help from others, to stop expecting perfect kids, and to be realistic in your hopes and dreams. Instead, understand that moms cannot protect themselves or their children from heartaches or disappointments. The author reminds the reader that raising a family is hard for all of us.

All parents make mistakes; it is more important to keep trying. Stop comparing your parenting style to others. Find the things that make your family unique. Do not compare your family to others. As children grow older and become more independent, moms must learn to listen more than talk. The best solution is to keep an open mind and keep learning.

I highly recommend this book for new parents as well as those facing challenges.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a paperback copy of Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You by Anna McArthur.

CLINK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER:

https://gleam.io/2SqLW/hope-for-moms-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Thursday, April 24, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewBook Review of Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You

Friday, April 25, 2025Confessions of a Book AddictBook Spotlight on Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You

Monday, April 28, 2025The Starlit PathBook Review of Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You

Tuesday, April 29, 2025icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You

Wednesday, April 30, 2025Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogBook Review of Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You

Thursday, May 1, 2025Deliciously SavvyBook Review of Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You

Friday, May 2, 2025Country Mamas With KidsGuest Post about Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You

Monday, May 5, 2025Q&As with Deborah KalbAuthor Interview with Anna McArthur

Tuesday, May 6, 2025Cover Lover Book ReviewBook Review of Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You

Thursday, May 8, 2025@pieladybooksBook Review of Hope For Moms: It’s Tough Out There But So Are You

TBD@bookstrofficialAuthor Interview with Anna McArthur

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book to share my opinion.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Constitution Kids

Written by Gary Gabel

Ages: 8+ | 200 Pages

Publisher: Amplify Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891383906

Publisher’s Book Summary: Alex, Kali, and Roman are three fifteen-year-old friends who live in a small town. Alex is a great communicator, Roman is a bit of an inventor, and Kali is an intuitive empath. It’s summertime, and an adventure is triggered when they find themselves in the middle of a protest outside the local library by people who want to ban certain books. During the protest, people are focused on what they believe to be their Constitutional rights, causing the three teenagers to realize how little they know about the Constitution.

In their search for answers, they discover a book with magical properties, which becomes a catalyst in helping them discover what the Constitution is really all about.

Join the teenagers as this mysterious book enables them to travel through time and space—bringing to life historical figures like Ben Franklin, Wyatt Earp, Alice Paul, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and many more. Each of these historical figures will teach them about the original Constitution and its amendments. Through the eyes of these three teenagers, you’ll be able to explore what it was like when the original Constitution was signed. You’ll even travel to other countries, like Russia, where you’ll meet Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in a field within the Gulag where he was imprisoned.

The Constitution, by itself, can be a difficult document to read, but The Constitution Kids will bring it to life with unusual experiences, humor, and fun, no matter your age.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gary J. Gabel, Ed.D., has spoken to groups throughout the United States on the subjects of personal takeover, accountability, and leadership. He has personally trained thousands of people, primarily in the areas of leadership, management, motivating performance, presentation effectiveness, sales, and customer service. He has worked with over 200 CEOs, helping them build high-performing teams.

Gary has written several books, including Day One, which was jointly authored with Tom Buck and published in 2020. Gary’s other book, Personal Takeover, was published in the United States by Career Press in 2003. It was translated into Korean in 2004, with an Arabic translation in 2005. The second edition of Personal Takeover was released in October 2019.

Gary was the 2001 Entrepreneur of the Year for Service Companies in Michigan. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics and a doctorate in Education. He formerly served as Chair of the National Council on Education and Human Development at The George Washington University. His current memberships include the Oakland Schools Education Foundation Board of Trustees and Mensa.

Gary’s presentations at TEDxDetroit and others can be viewed on YouTube. Gary lives with his wife, Lisa, in Michigan, and they have two children and three grandchildren.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

THE CONSTITUTION IS ALIVE AND WELL
The Constitution Kids
Written by Gary Gabel

The author correctly points out that the subject of the Constitution rarely comes up in modern schools. Gabel decides to remedy that problem by incorporating its story within the pages of a time travel adventure containing three unlikely friends. Kali, Alex, and Roman who display unique interests and talents. Kali is an empath, Roman a science and tech prodigy, and Alex, an excellent communicator.

On a summer day, the three fifteen-year-old friends encounter a protest demonstration and demonstrators claiming the right to gather under the Constitution. Curious, the friends decide to research the Constitution in the library. When they find and open an old book, they meet Ben Franklin who initiates a time travel journey on which they investigate the Constitution, and the Amendments added to it.

During this journey, the teens meet famous people like Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, and Wyatt Earp. In addition, they journey back and forward in time to colonial times, visit slaves, a gulag, and Nazi Germany, among other places. The threesome experience how the Constitution works and the reasons why for each amendment.

Gabel details the characters as relatable and integrates the past and present seamlessly. Modern readers learn not only what the Constitution contains but why it evolved and how it works.

This book is a wonderful tool to teach civics and responsibility. I recommend it for the bookshelves of middle-grade and high school readers.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win one of ten copies of The Constitution Kids. Enter below to bring this magical journey home!

Click here for the entry form: https://gleam.io/2295r/the-constitution-kids-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, March 31, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewTour Kick-Off for The Constitution Kids

Tuesday, April 1, 2025The Fairview ReviewBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Wednesday, April 2, 2025Froggy Read TeachInstagram Post about The Constitution Kids

Friday, April 4, 2025NancyStewartWritesBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Monday, April 7, 2025One More ExclamationBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Tuesday, April 8, 2025Cover Lover Book ReviewBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Wednesday, April 9, 2025Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Friday, April 11, 2025Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Monday, April 14, 2025Deliciously SavvyBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Tuesday, April 15, 2025Country Mamas With KidsBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Wednesday, April 16 2025icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Friday, April 18, 2025The Starlit PathBook Review of The Constitution Kids

Monday, April 21, 2025Q&As with Deborah KalbAuthor Interview with Gary Gabel

Written and illustrated by Carolyn Cutler Hughes

A simple story with an important message.

The protagonist is a heart who wandered among many hearts seeking to find out why she was named Love and what the word means. After much searching, Love comes to understand that it takes two separate hearts to make love come into being. It is something we cannot create within ourselves but must seek from another to make it complete.

The book makes the perfect Valentine’s Day present. Appropriate for any age.

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IN PARNERSHIP WITH MICHAEL OKON

This post is sponsored by Michael Okon. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dragged Down Deep

Written by Michael Okon

Ages: 15+ | 286 Pages

Publisher: Chelshire Inc (2024) | ISBN: 978-1-950080-14-4

Publisher’s Book Summary: Logan Osborne has spent his life chasing the shadows of the past.

As a child, he watched helplessly as his father was snatched from a fishing boat by what he swore was a mermaid. No one believed him then. No one believes him now.

Determined to prove that mythical creatures exist, Logan is drawn back to the small coastal town where his nightmares began after another mysterious disappearance stirs the waters.

Teaming up with his pragmatic colleague Elliot Sheppard and his fiercely loyal friend Penny Swanson, Logan dives headfirst into an adventure packed with danger and deception. As they dig deeper, the trio faces resistance at every turn—a secretive agency with its own agenda, a suspiciously unhelpful police force, and Logan’s old flame, who may know more than she’s letting on.

What they uncover is far darker and more terrifying than Logan ever imagined: the truth about his father, the secrets of Minatuck, and the horrifying reality of the Mermaid of the Hamptons.

Will Logan and his friends expose the lies that have haunted him for years, or will they be Dragged Down Deep into the swampy, secretive underbelly of a town that guards its mysteries with deadly intent?

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres, including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure, and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with an English degree and later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling in his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.

For more information, visit www.michaelokon.com.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

Logan Osbourne struggles to recover from a childhood trauma. When his father was dragged from a small boat and drowned by what he insisted was a mermaid, no one believed the tale. Now an adult scientist, Logan is determined to prove that a mythological creature called The Thunderbird exists. Together with his partner Elliot and the support of his university, Logan sets off to prove that the Native legend is true.

No one in the small town seems willing to talk, and Aimee, a former girlfriend, is out to beat him to the punch in finding the creature. Deception and deceit lurk around every corner. Logan faces physical danger, mental anguish, and socal ridicule. Will he succeed in uncovering the mystery surrounding his father’s death and the secrets of Minatuk? Why is everyone afraid of the answers?

From the intriguing quotes that introduce the adventure to the final chapter, readers are drawn into the complex characters and the twists and turns of the thriller. Another wonderful tale by a talented author that does not disappoint.

GIVEAWAY

Readers who join us on this tour can enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a copy of Dragged Down Deep, signed by Michael Okon. The grand prize winner will also take home a $100 Amazon gift card!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/8Ziz3/dragged-down-deep-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, January 20, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewBook Tour Kick-Off

Wednesday, January 22, 2025The Fairview ReviewBook Review of Dragged Down Deep

Friday, January 24, 2025One More ExclamationBook Review of Dragged Down Deep

Monday, January 27, 2025Country Mamas With KidsBook Review of Dragged Down Deep

Wednesday, January 29, 2025Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogBook Review of Dragged Down Deep

Friday, January 31, 2025Deliciously SavvyBook Review of Dragged Down Deep

Monday, February 3, 2025Q&As with Deborah KalbInterview with Michael Okon

Wednesday, February 5, 2025icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of Dragged Down Deep

Friday, February 7, 2025Confessions of a Book AddictBook Spotlight on Dragged Down Deep

Monday, February 10, 2025The Starlit PathBook Review of Dragged Down Deep

Wednesday, February 12, 2025Crafty Moms ShareBook Review of Dragged Down Deep

Friday, February 14, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewBook Review of Dragged Down Deep

This is the first in a series of articles dedicated to helping parents raise happy, confident and successful children.

5 tips to help tweens and teens resist peer pressure.

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How to Train Your Amygdala
Written by Anna Housley Juster
Illustrated by Cynthia Cliff

Most kids have never heard of the Amygdala, but it plays a vital role in keeping them safe. The author uses creative imagery to explain in simple language how it works. Sometimes worrying about what might happen can make the Amygdala work overtime so it is important to train it not to set off false alarms.

Juster provides children with strategies and techniques to relax and remain calm. Examples include deep breathing, relaxing, and connecting with favorite people. The interactive part of this book provides step by step directions for children and an accompanying guide for adults working with children.

Kudos to the author for writing this guide in simple, easily understandable language with large text and appealing illustrations. Recommended for children from preschool through primary grades and the caretakers who love and support them.

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Gamermom: A bedtime story for moms who game

Written by Liane Joly

Illustrated by Jared Huber

A funny picture book for children who enjoy gaming and are part of a family of adults who enjoy the same hobby. Done in comic book style with illustrations that express the frustration of a loving mom who just cannot find time to enjoy her favorite hobby.

Recommended for elementary school-age readers.