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Protecting Bright Futures
JULY 2019
Bright Futures Bulletin
FORTNITE FAILURE
If you live under a rock and do not knowwhat Fortnite is, let me give you the rundown. Fortnite is an online video game released in 2017 by Epic Games. It became a resounding success, drawing in more than 125 million players in less than a year and earning hundreds of millions of dollars per month. It has since become a cultural phenomenon. The purpose of the game is for the players to kill each other. TheWorld Health Organization has officially classified “gaming addiction” as a mental health disorder. Dr. Richard Freed, psychologist and author of “Wired Child: Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age,” reports that the study of addictive technologies has identified some 200 persuasive design tricks in Fortnite. He states that because so many of these persuasive elements are often combined intentionally, it makes for an unfair fight Good for Epic Games, bad for kids.
for parents. Once the brain’s pleasure and reward system is hijacked, nothing a parent offers will feel more satisfying and rewarding than one more chance to play and win. Children need quality time and conversation with their parents, grandparents, and siblings without screens. They need to see friends face to face and interact with them in healthyways. When a child’s main interactions with their peers are through the game itself, they risk never developing the relationship skills needed to thrive as adults. I have my own personal Fortnite story to tell. I have four children. My two oldest, 14 and 12, developed a Fortnite addiction. My 14-year-old son was particularly bad. Since Fortnite entered our lives, I watched my son develop bad habits. He was quick to anger with his sisters if they interfered in anywaywith his “gaming.” He was not getting enough sleep at night, which made him very grouchy. He was turning down social engagements to “game” at home. After many, many months of living in denial, I finally opened my eyes and literally “pulled the plug” on the PS4. I am happy to report that within 60 days of being Fortnite-free, my son changed completely. He is getting more rest. He is practicing basketball more. He is more focused on daily tasks. He is not lashing out at any of the family. His grades improved. He increased his interaction with friends and family members.
Part of the reason parents struggle with policing Fortnite play is that “all the kids are doing it.” As parents, we worry about isolating our children. But, if we all stick together and take control of this situation, all the kids will benefit. I can report from personal experience that the first week without Fortnite is really tough. The second week is a little easier. And by the third week, kids aren’t even asking about it anymore because they’ve discovered life outside of Fortnite. Experts suggest that if you do not want to eliminate Fortnite completely, at least impose some boundaries. They suggest limiting Fortnite play to the weekends only (or while on break from school) and only two hours per day. Also, experts recommend no screen time in any fashion at least one hour before bed. And if you see behavior you don’t like, limit game time even more or eliminate it completely. At PhyllisLaw.com, we are in the business of protecting the bright futures. We believe the best way to do that is to stay on top of the issues our kids are facing every day. Our mission is to have
... if we all stick together
and take control of this situation, all the kids will benefit."
open, honest discussions of potential pitfalls so we can help our kids avoid them. –Phyllis Gingrey Collins
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3 Stoves for Your Next Outdoor Adventure Cooking and Camping
city. She was still driving a vehicle owed by her parents who lived in another state. She was also insured under her parent’s automobile policy. She decided to purchase a newvehicle on her own. She was asked by the dealership to provide paperwork that she was an insured driver and was told it MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe For the hunters and backpackers looking to minimize weight without sacrificing their morning coffee, the latest Pocket Rocket brings the heat. MSR has managed to stack many convenient features onto this burner, and it still comes in under 3 ounces. Sure, there are lighter kits out there, but the Deluxe comes with a built-in pressure regulator for high altitudes, decent wind resistance, a push-button igniter, and excellent simmer control. Its fast boil times mean you can have multiple cups of joe prepped in under four minutes, no matter how remote your campsite. BioLiteWood Burning Campstove One of the most innovative designs on the market, this strange little stove is sure to become a favorite of backwoods adventurers and car campers alike. Leave the propane tanks at home: BioLite burns twigs and sticks you can find right around your campsite, saving you weight and
Insurance What You Don’t KnowCan Hurt You resistance and incredibly fast boil times. With a range that can accommodate large cook pots and finely tuned controls that make simmering a snap, you can make some incredible meals from just about anywhere. For those wishing they could just bring their actual stove along on the journey, the Camp Chef has you covered. Whether you’re daytripping, car camping, or outright backpacking, nothing makes the wilderness feel more like home than a hot meal. Many summer fire bans put a damper on classic campfire s’mores, but a quality propane stove will let you cook up some good grub in the great outdoors. Here are some of the best units to up your camp-cooking game. Camp Chef Everest This is the ultimate two burner experience. Reasonably portable for its size, this dual stovetop features best-in-class wind
reason provided was that the newvehicle was not covered under the policy because the policy was owned by the parents, who had no financial interest in the newvehicle. Now, my client had a brand-newvehicle with thousands of dollars of damage that she had to pay out of pocket to repair. In addition, she was the at-fault driver and issued a traffic citation. To make matters even worse, the other driver claimed personal injury damages, which would not be covered by insurance. Once the other driver was informed that there was no insurance covering the claim, she informed the police, who subsequently issued my client an additional citation for driving without insurance. Moral of the story: Make sure you reviewyour insurance policies on a yearly basis to make sure you have the coverage you think you have. Do not rely on anyone other than your insurance agent. When you purchase a newvehicle, call your agent before you drive the car off the lot. Do not make any assumptions about your coverage. At PhyllisLaw.com, we can represent people in these circumstances with good results, but it is much better to avoid the situation altogether by being fully informed. money. But the special feature of this stove is it can charge electronic devices. Using patented thermoelectric technology, the BioLite converts heat from the fire into electricity, allowing anything with a USB charger to top off its battery. As electronic devices become more and more common during camping trips, the added utility of this camp stove may soon prove invaluable.
When kids graduate from college, they are in a period of great transition. They are old enough to get their own place and get full-time employment but not necessarily ready to become a financially independent adult. When your kids graduate, you must decide how to handle things like health insurance, car insurance, cellphone bills, etc. Usually, parents carry the auto insurance policy for their college kids. Because college students
would suffice for coverage on the newvehicle until she added the new car to her policy. Policies that extend coverage to new cars typically give you anywhere from 7–30
days to inform your car insurance company that you purchased a new
use their parents' address as their permanent address and the school address as a temporary address, they can get coverage for their vehicle under their parents’ policy. I recently represented a young woman who had just graduated from college, started her first full-time job, and moved to a new home in a new
vehicle. Unfortunately, my client was involved in an accident within 15 minutes of driving the new car off the lot. My client immediately reported the accident to her insurance company. To the shock and surprise of my client and her parents, the insurance company denied the claim. The
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SUDOKU BREAK Solution on pg. 4
Thank You FOR LETTING US CARE FOR YOU As the owner of PhyllisLaw.com, I want to take the opportunity to say THANK YOU. One hundred percent of our clients come to us from referrals by YOU. It is a huge compliment to us that you would trust your friends, family, and clients to us. We strive to make sure you never regret that decision. We have worked for 14 years to earn your respect and trust, and we hope to keep it. In that effort, I wanted to update you on the work we are doing at PhyllisLaw.com because of your referrals. We handle all things criminal: DUI, possession of marijuana and other illegal drugs, minor in possession of alcohol, battery, shoplifting and other theft-related crimes, juvenile delinquency petitions, and traffic offenses. We have continued our focus on protecting the bright futures of young adults facing criminal prosecution. Twenty years ago, young people could make minor mistakes and it was handled by the parents, not law enforcement. Unfortunately, those days are long gone. Almost any violation of the law nowwill result in criminal charges. So, where lunchroom fights used to be handled by the school, law enforcement now often gets involved. Our mission is to protect young people from having criminal records that could negatively affect their future, particularly as it pertains to future education, professional licensing, and job opportunities. Everyone deserves to earn a second chance. We have expanded our defense of students in trouble with the law to include student disciplinary actions at high schools and secondary schools, as well as Title IX defense. The stakes are usually very high in these cases and often occur in conjunction with criminal charges. It is imperative that students in these situations have legal counsel because anything that happens during the school investigation could impact a criminal case. We have also continued to help people who are facing crushing debt to restore financial peace. For some people, that means debt settlement negotiations, and for others, bankruptcy protection. We have recently expanded our scope to include student loan cases. Student loan debt is a major problem today, with no signs of relief ahead in the form of federal legislation. We are experienced in dealing with these debts without crippling the debtor. There are many programs available to people in these situations. Now that you knowwhat we do, we hope you keep those referrals coming. Also, we would be honored to be your go-to referral source for any type of attorney. While our practice area is limited in scope, we have an arsenal of the best attorneys in Georgia
Juicy Lucy Sliders
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
The Juicy Lucy is a burger with cheese hiding in the patty, and it is a staple in Minnesota. We think it should be a Fourth of July favorite nationwide.
Ingredients
• •
2 lbs. ground chuck beef, 20% lean
8 slices melting cheese (like American, Swiss, Muenster, or cheddar)
• • •
16 small potato rolls, toasted Salt and pepper, to taste
Your favorite burger accompaniments
Directions
1. Divide beef into 16 evenly sized balls. 2. Rip cheese into roughly equal pieces, creating 16 equal portions. 3. Using your index finger, create a small indentation in each ball. 4. Fill indention with cheese and pinch meat around to seal. Then gently form balls into 3/4-inch-thick patties. Season patties. 5. Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high. 6. Lightly coat skillet with oil and cook patties in batches. Brown one side undisturbed, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until desired done- ness, about 3 minutes for medium. 7. Serve on toasted potato rolls with your favorite accompaniments.
as referral partners. These are not quid pro quo relationships. We recommend these attorneys because we know, like, and trust them, not because they send us business. We want to help you get the help you need without wasting time vetting different attorneys. Please contact us for all your legal needs and, if we cannot take the case, we will get you to the right person. Contact us via our website at PhyllisLaw.com, by phone at 678.486.7050, text messaging at 404.514.3397, LinkedIn @ Phyllis Collins, Facebook at PhyllisLaw, and Instagram @ Phyllislawgroup.
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www.PhyllisLaw.com | 404.514.3397 278 N. Marietta Pkwy NE | Marietta, GA 30060
Solution from pg. 3
Inside This Issue
Fortnite Failure 1
3 Camp Stoves for Your Next Adventure
KnowYour Car Insurance Policy 2
Referrals Are the Best Compliments
Juicy Lucy Sliders 3
Limbering Up For Your Next Road Trip 4 Stretches for Staying Limber on the Road 4
Even though road trips offer you a break from the monotony of your office, the stiffness in your muscles and joints that comes from sitting in one position for too long can follow you onto the road if you’re not careful. Whether in front of a laptop or behind the wheel, taking the opportunity to stretch and exercise on your summer road trip is a great way to prevent the soreness from following you back to the office. Here are a few stretches to keep in mind for the next rest stop.
your hands on your car door in front of you, stretching your entire upper body.
For the Hips
While you’re driving, a good way to prevent sore hips is by making sure your knees are slightly elevated above them in your seat. Once you have the opportunity to stop, try doing some hip flexors. Kneel on one knee, slowly push your pelvis forward, squeeze your shoulders back, and open your chest. Hold this position for 15 seconds, then repeat while kneeling on the other knee. To stretch out your hamstrings, place your right heel on a small step. Extend your arms upward, and then lean your upper body forward. You’ll feel a pull in the back of your upper leg. Once you’ve done this for about 15–30 seconds, repeat the process with your left heel. The road may be long, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel it in your muscles. If you stop every couple of hours and take some time to limber up, your body will thank you. For the Legs
For the Neck
Reach your left arm over the top of your head and touch your right ear. Then, gently pull your head to the left and hold it there for 15 seconds. Repeat this process with your right arm.
For the Chest
Stand in front of a door frame with one hand pressed on either side and your elbows at 90-degree angles, then lean forward. This will cause your chest muscles to open up. Hold this position for 15 seconds. You can do a similar stretch by bending downward while keeping
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