March 9 // Books + Discussions (and a couple ways to help Ukrainians directly)

Before we begin with book club quotes and discussion questions, I wanted to share about a way that your family can directly show support to Ukrainians: book an Airbnb in Ukraine that you have no intention of visiting! (They start at around $20.) People have already sent $2 million in support by doing this. You can send an encouraging message and might even gain a penpal, or at the very least a name and face to pray for.

Here’s one of the messages we received from our “host”:

That is so painful (and inspiring) to read. He also recommended we read updates on the crisis directly from the government of Ukraine at war.ukraine.ua ; Google has never taken me to that site when I’ve searched for updates on this crisis, so I’m grateful for that tip.

Another way you can give direct support is by buying digital goods from Ukrainians on Etsy like this gorgeous $5 art print (that we’ll actually use in our home) or this $5 belt weaving pattern made by the woman featured in this article.

It feels so helpless to watch our fellow humans suffer invasion. But you know what? More than ever, it confirms the message of the books we’re about to discuss…life is too short and uncertain to waste on things that don’t actually matter to us.

Grownup Book Club: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, Chapter 2

1. In this chapter, Cal challenges readers to take a 30-day break from optional technologies. “For each optional technology that you’re considering reintroducing into your life, you must first ask: Does this technology directly support something that I deeply value? This is the only condition on which you should let one of these tools into your life.” (pg 75)
   Think about the optional technologies in your life (Facebook, Netflix, etc.) How does each of those help you do things you value? Are there any that you think you could do without long-term so you can focus more on your true priorities?

2. “Is this technology the best way to support a value? We justify many of the technologies that tyrannize our time and attention with some tangential connection to something we care about. The minimalist, by contrast, measures the value of these connections and is unimpressed by all but the most robust.” (pg 76)
   Think about the peacefulness of a living room with carefully selected furniture and tasteful decorations, in contrast with a crowded room stuffed with stacks of clutter everywhere. Which does the home of your mind look like? What are ways you can minimize your inputs and only let the best stuff stay?

Older Kid Book Club: My Tech-Wise Life by Amy Crouch and Andy Crouch, Chapters 2 and 3

1. “The problem is, a posture of distraction makes it really hard to persevere.” (pg 55)
   Have you noticed a link between your need to be entertained and your lack of motivation to do things that are important to you?

2. “None of us want to ignore our friends. None of us go into a conversation thinking that really, scrolling online would be more fun. But we need to recognize that when conversations lose out to phones, everyone’s missing out.” Who is someone that you would really like to talk to—with phones put away? If scrolling while in company is a problem for you, here’s your invitation to ask someone to an unplugged conversation.

Picture Books

Press Here by Hervé Tullet is a fun way to be present with your toddler or young child—and to help them be active participants. Interactive books like this are just a wonder. (There are more in this series and genre that are even better, but this is a good introduction if you haven’t done one before.)

Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander and illustrated by Wayne Geethan is a witty medieval story that explains Pi in a way that kids can understand (Pi Day is March 14th.) And yes, “math readers” are a whole genre of children’s literature, and there are some artful, fun, and sneakily educational books out there!

Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola - Before there were stories of heroes like Superman, there were legends of saints. Patrick was an escaped slave who had compassion for people who were mean to him. He supposedly did some miraculous stuff too. Whether you venerate saints or not (our family doesn’t), many of these stories about St. Patrick are inspiring and interesting to read!

Story Prompt: Chasing Rainbows

Write a story, draw a picture, perform a play, form a sculpture…invite your kids to do something creative with these weekly prompts.

“What happens if you chase a rainbow and find something unexpected at the end of it?”

I would love to hear some of those stories and see some pictures! Send them in!

Hopefully this is helpful!

Warmly,

Hope and the Family Scripts Team