Parents are encouraged to set some digital rules for their families during the summer, according to a Schuylkill County native’s technology guide, “Raising Digital Families for Dummies.”
Amy Lupold Bair, a 1995 Tri-Valley graduate, mother of two and author, composed the book, which was published by John Wiley & Sons Inc. She said it will assist anyone wading through technology dilemmas with their children, who are home and likely watching a lot more TV, playing video games or playing on smart phones in the off months.
“I was actually approached by Wiley, the publishing house that created the ‘For Dummies’ series of books. Their acquiring editors were aware that there was a need for this type of book and were familiar with my writing in the parenting space online. They asked if I would be interested in authoring this particular book, and I said ‘yes.’ ” Bair said.
Bair, 36, is the owner of Resourceful Mommy Media, a social media marketing company. She works with brands such as Wal-Mart, P&G, Hasbro, PBS, Disney Parks and AT&T. She’s also written for Lifetime Television Network, Disney Digital, BabyCenter, CafeMom, among other online properties; and coauthored “Blogging For Dummies.”
Her latest, 342-page book, released in 2013, offers tips on setting a digital family policy, maximizing privacy settings, handling cyberbullies and steering clear of online predators, helping kids create a blog and explore educational sites. It has a list price of $21.99.
Bair was faced with several challenges during the production of the publication.
“Once the book outline was approved, I only had a couple months to research and write the entire book,” she said. “That alone was a challenge, but because the book is about technology, it also meant that during that short time period there were many changes. Facebook, for example, changed all of their privacy settings after the Facebook sections of the book were written. I had to go back and rewrite entire chapters during the editing process.”
Since the book has been on the market, however, it’s had a positive reception from the public.
“The overwhelming response from parents has been that a book like this is long overdue. At a book signing last summer, I found that the majority of people in attendance were school and community librarians. I believe the book is becoming a valuable resource for parents and educators alike,” she said.
Bair travels around the country, speaking regularly about social media marketing at new media events, and she’s appeared on nationally syndicated news programs. She received her bachelor of arts honors degree in literature and secondary education from American University and a master’s degree in psychological services in education from the University of Pennsylvania. She taught middle school English and drama in Montgomery County, Maryland. She and her husband, Jason, live in the Washington, D.C., suburbs in Maryland, with their children, Emma and Noah, fifth- and third-graders, respectively. Her parents are Dr. Georgetta, retired, and Lanny Lupold, Valley View.
“Her dream was to be a writer,” Dr. Lupold said.
“To go from being a teacher to what she does now, it’s hard to fathom. She jumped right into it with both feet,” her mother said.
Another opportunity is on the horizon for Bair.
“I’ve recently signed on to write a parenting column once a month for a popular online destination called The Stir.” Bair said. “It’s been a busy few years so I’m taking some time to slow down a bit.”