We’ve been having so much fun with the Cool Mom Picks Virtual Book Club so far, and it’s been amazing getting so much feedback from all of you, what you’re learning, and how some of the ideas we’re sharing are impacting the way you look at parenting, too.
So we’re excited to dive right into selection 6: How to Break Up With Your Phone, by Catherine Price. (Available from our affiliate Amazon or your local book seller.) It’s such a perfect follow-up to Kristen’s last book club chat about Jordan Shapiro’s book about digital parenting, The New Childhood.
Subtitled “The 30 Day Play to Take Back Your Life,” it really is a helpful book, with lots of actionable tips, and no scolding or shaming. However, it should be interesting because you may not agree with all of the author’s points in the book.
I chose this title as someone who is rarely without a phone in my hand, and would like to have a healthier relationship with my devices. And especially after speaking with Catherine Price on a podcast episode of Spawned, she helped me understand that her premise isn’t so much that you should “break up” with your phone completely, but maybe just see other people? Play the field a little? Think of the relationship with your phone more like…friends with benefits?
Speaking of benefits (ha) we’re so happy to bring the Cool Mom Picks Book Club to you with the support of our awesome sponsor, The Wines of Vinho Verde. Could there be a more perfect match? These versatile reds, whites, and rosés from Portugal go with whatever you’re eating, and whatever you’re reading. (Though we’ve got some pairing ideas below for you, should you be book-clubbing with friends at home.)
Whatever stage of parenting you’re in — or maybe you’re not even a parent at all because this book is for everyone — we hope you’ll take this opportunity to grab a copy of How to Break Up With Your Phone, by Catherine Price or download the ebook and join me for a live chat about it.
With Vinho Verde wine, of course.
Reminder: This is a low-pressure book club!
Even if you don’t finish the book, get through only a few chapters — or are just interested in the topic of becoming a little more unplugged and haven’t read the book at all, you can still join us. We’re busy too, we get it.
To watch our video chat Are you addicted to your phone? (it’s easy!) just visit this link.
Discussion Guide Questions for How to Break Up with Your Phone
While you don’t have to be a parent at all to get a lot out of this short, easy book, it is especially relevant for those of us who want to model better tech habits for the kids in our lives.
Whether you’re reading the book along with us, or want to host your own book club, here are a few questions to ask yourself. They’ll help guide your reading and support you in making positive changes in your own relationship with tech.
I’ll also use these questions and topics to guide our chat together on July 30, as well as summarize lots of the tips found in the book:
– Do you find yourself multi-tasking often with tech? Do you have a phone in your hand while you watch TV, do work, or talk to your kids?
– Do you check your phone within 30 minutes of waking up?
– If you put your phone away out of sight (as in, not in your lap at dinner), do you feel edgy or anxious? Do you feel like you’re missing a limb? No judgments — this is most of us.
-Try and think of all the times you feel “loved” or “liked” on your phone, whether it’s a good rating from a ride-share app, or a number of engagements on a social media post.
-If you have used a tracking app like Screen Time, have you ever been surprised by the results? Are you on your phone more than you think? Are you on certain types of apps more than you think?
-What would you do if you had just 15 extra screen-free minutes in your day?
Watch our Live Book Club chat about How to Break Up with Your Phone
from Thursday, August 1.
Portal da Calcada Vinho Verde: Wine Pairing Ideas
The Portal da Calcada wine from Portugal’s Vinho Verde region blends Loureiro, Arinto, Azal, and Trajadura grape varietals beautifully. The wine is fruity and fresh, with hints of citrus, apple and melon, with a subtle sweetness and a light minerality.
This makes it so wonderfully drinkable during the warmer months, and if we can’t be drinking it in the Vinho Verde region ourselves, we’ll settle for our living room couches, with a good book. Of course.
If you want to know how to pair any wine, think about foods from its own region. However Vinho Verde wines are so versatile, you can enjoy them with nearly any book club munchies you can think of at all:
-A fresh, homemade ceviche
-Light seafood dishes like crab cake bites, mini fish tacos or shrimp skewers
-Sushi or sashimi
-A tray of cheeses that are light and creamy, like goat cheeses, burrata or even a brie
-Veggie platters and crudité — consider tossing in some orange or grapefruit to complement the citrus, or dress a salad with a lime-based vinaigrette
-Grilled poultry, like chicken skewers
-Oysters, if you’re fancy
-Mixed nuts, pretzels, or chips if you’re not fancy. It’s all good.
-Guac. Because everything goes with guac.
Cheers!
Check out our Facebook Live Book Club discussion about How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price. Comments remain open and we’d love to hear your thoughts.
And make sure you’re following Cool Mom Picks on Facebook!
Thanks so much to our wonderful book club sponsor, the Wines of Vinho Verde, for their support!
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