New Review! Forbrain!!!

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About the product/service: 

As part of the Homeschool Review Crew, I received a free Forbrain headset from Sound for Life LTD so I could check it out and let you know my thoughts. This headset is not like other headphones where you put them over your ears to listen to someone or something. This product goes in front of your ears so that the sound goes directly into the microphone and back into your head. Yeah, kinda weird, I know!

The idea of this product is to help people of all ages (well, ages 4 and up) with a whole list of brain-related issues by using their own voice to boost their brain. Among the issues are:

• auditory processing
• sensory integration
• pronunciation
• rhythm
• short-term memory
• and many more

The idea is basically that we hear both through our ears and through the bones in our head. This device amplifies (and filters) the sounds we speak into the mic, and even though we actually still hear our voice in our ears, as usual, we hear them more loudly than normal through our bones. Apparently, this is called bone conduction. (If you are lost, don't feel badly, as I barely understand it myself!) Anyway, there is something called the audio-vocal or auditory feedback loop. This is the normal process our brains go through when we take in sound and process it. Supposedly, if we have some sort of "glitch" in this system (my word) it can keep us from having the proper attention, concentration, memory, etc. that we need to function at our best.

I totally don't get any of this, but there is a website that is loaded with scientific explanations of all of this. Please check that out and don't rely on my explanation, which I'm sure is not nearly as clear as it should be. :)

What are the pros of this product?

The headphones are lightweight, comfortable, and fit fine. I think just about anyone could comfortably wear them. I didn't notice any specific improvements, so I did something I don't normally do until my review is posted, and that is check other reviews. I wanted to know if anyone else claimed to benefit from this product. It does appear that they have, and so, of course, if it helps people, that is definitely a plus! I cannot make that claim personally, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. I just didn't seem to work for me. (Please continue to read the rest of this review for a better explanation.)

What's not to like?

Before I even opened the box, I looked it over as I was very intrigued. I honestly could not tell what on earth the product was supposed to really do. All it really says is "use your voice to boost your brain." If I were in charge of packaging, I would definitely make sure it had more info on it.

As for the product itself, I feel like there is so much information and the claims are all over the map. I had a really hard time wrapping my head around what was supposed to be happening in my brain. LOL  I mean, it makes total sense that if our brain was more in tune, a lot of things we do would be improved. I'm not saying it claims too much, I'm just saying, for me, it was a bit overwhelming. (I've heard a lot about brain wave optimization, but this seems completely different.)

I think I really would have liked a more specific program, one where the 15 to 20 minute time period was laid out for me with the option of tweaking it to fit my needs. It's hard to fill that much time just doing weird things like singing text or taking breaths at unnatural points. (Two of the exercises.) I have people around me almost always, so that was an issue for me. Maybe if you don't share a small house with eight other people, that wouldn't be a problem. In my opinion, though, because I am pretty ADD (self-diagnosed) and have a lot of memory issues, I think I would do much better to have it very structured. Being ADD and trying to focus on doing the 15 minutes made it hard. (I'm sure if I were a child or even an adult and had a parent or other adult guiding me, it would be much easier.)

It can be tricky knowing if you are getting any benefit from using this device. Improvement is subjective. I would have loved if it had some exercises to do that you could repeat at the end of six weeks to actually get an objective understanding of your improvement. For example, have a list of words to memorize and see how many you can recall after a certain amount of time. Then, have another very similar list at the end of the trial period to see if you can remember a longer list of words.

I honestly didn't notice any significant changes in my ability to pay attention, concentrate, or remember. This could be because I haven't used it enough to really tell, and because I had no way to objectively test my results. If I had speech issues, then it would be easier for someone else to notice results. (Weirdly enough, my son tried to tell me I actually sound like I have a lisp when I have the headphones on. I don't agree, so I'm not quite sure what to think about that!) One thing the product said it helped with was singing in tune. Now if that happens, I will be shouting from the rooftops because I do not sing well, at all. 

The Crazy Mom take:

There are not enough works to express how badly I want this to work! I am not, in any way, saying it doesn't work. I simply didn't notice a difference in myself. I am going to keep trying this because I need everything this device has to offer! I am so uncoordinated, air-headed, unfocused, etc., it's not even funny. Also, as I mentioned above, I can't sing at all, and if I could learn to carry a tune, I'd really be excited! Haha!

I feel like I really need to keep using this and become more structured in what I do. I mostly played around with it doing something different each time. I also admit, I didn't remember to do it every single day. (I was not kidding about memory issues!) I want to make some "trials" for myself and test myself. I thought of this part way through, but knew I wouldn't have had enough time to do it justice at that point. There would not have been enough time to prove out anything, and I didn't want a "false negative." Now that I am on my own with it, I will pick one exercise and stick with it. 

What's the bottom line? $299

I am going to give Forbrain 3 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! https://www.forbrain.comhttps://www.forbrain.com

Social Media:

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/forbrainLTD
Twitter : https://twitter.com/forbrainheadset
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/forbrain---retrain-the-way-you-process-information

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/forbrain-sound-for-life-ltd-review/

*The Smiley System:

:) I can't really recommend this product.

:)  :) I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

:)  :)  :) This is a good product, but it isn't right for everyone.

:)  :)  :)  :) Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

:)  :)  :)  :)  :) This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

CLASSIC CRAZY MOM: High Tech Kid

Originally posted: February 13, 2012

The other day my youngest son, Baber, who is eight, was on the laptop when he still had school and chores to do, so I took it away from him. The next thing I knew I found him sitting on the stairs with his portable DVD player! I confiscated that, and told him to get going on his list. He reluctantly gave it to me, and I took it and hid it.

I started going about my business when I saw him walking around, calculator in hand.  Really? Is the kid that desperate to manipulate images on a screen? So then I had to take away the calculator! I finally realized that if I wasn't working along side him every step of the way he wasn't going to do anything he was supposed to be doing. It was either that or hide all the digital watches! 

New Review! Thin Stix Creativity Pack and a CONTEST!!! :)

Well, hello there!!! I'm so glad you stopped by! :) I bet you'd like to get my posts delivered right to your inbox, now wouldn't you? So why not sign up for Feedburner? Check it out, it's right there in my sidebar! Thanks!!  :)

About the product/service: As part of the Homeschool Review Crew, I received a free Thin Stix Creativity Pack from The Pencil Grip, Inc., so we could check it out and let you know what we think. This is a 24-pack of paint sticks. They are tempra paint, but in stick form. They twist to expose more paint as needed. They are used more like a marker, but since they are paint, they look like paint. LOL This particular kit has a wonderful range of colors, which even includes neon and metallix. They are super cool!



What are the pros of this product? 

• Lots of colors
• Easy to use
• No water needed (no brush cleaning!)
• Works on multiple surfaces
• Dries in 90 seconds
• Not messy!
• Easy clean up!
• Fun!

What's not to like? 

I wish the caps connected to the other end. Not a hug deal, and I understand it's probably because they twist, but it would be nice if they could figure out a way to do it. 


The Crazy Mom take:

I really love these! I was just sitting here thinking about this review, and it made me think back to kindergarten round up. At some point, the year before I was to enter kindergarten, there was a special day where the moms and the kids would go to the school and check the place out. I got to go paint on the easel, and I was so excited! I mean, it was half a century ago and I still remember, so yeah, I was excited, just a little. LOL  Anyway, I'm pretty sure we had just primary colors, plus green, fairly large brushes, and a little bit of fear in our hearts because we knew it could get messy. If I remember correctly we all had to bring in a smock, which was most likely one of dad's old T-shirts.

Anyway, as much as I loved it, I don't think I was all that creative. I painted a lot of houses. They were all more or less the same. The sun was in the corner, the clouds were blue, and the houses all were designed by the same architect, with the same interior designer. (They all had the same blue curtains.) Oh, and the same landscaper, too! No matter, I loved it. (For fun, I recreated one of my earlier pics for this review.)

I forgot the sun goes in the corner! :)

It's not super easy to write,
 but much better than with paint and a brush!

But, oh, what fun it would have been to have 24 colors! Perhaps I could have lived a little! I could have fired that architect, designer, and landscaper and got a little more creative! (We only had four colors, if I'm not mistaken, and no real way to mix them.) With the Thin Stix we'd have had a little more control over the paint, and we wouldn't have had to worry about getting our clothes dirty. We wouldn't have even needed a smock! Oh, and the best part, we could take them home right away because they would have been dried almost instantly. Also, the paper would stay nice and smooth. There would be just one thing that would have to stay the same. The easel. Loved that easel. Real artists use easels, and there's no way I'd want to give that up!

If you'd like to win your own 24 piece set of Kwik Stix, just leave a comment and I will randomly choose one winner by Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. eastern time.


What's the bottom line? $19.99

I am going to give Thin Stix 5 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! 

http://www.bjs.com/kwik-stix-thin-stix-solid-tempera-paint-sticks-24-pk.product.3000000000000869092

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepencilgrip/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepencilgrip @thepencilgrip
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thepencilgrip/


See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/thin-stix-creativity-pack-the-pencil-grip-inc-reviews/




*The Smiley System:

:) I can't really recommend this product.

:)  :) I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

:)  :)  :) This is a good product, but it isn't right for everyone.

:)  :)  :)  :) Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

:)  :)  :)  :)  :) This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

CLASSIC CRAZY MOM: The Claw Lady!!!

Originally posted: 8/18/2010

You know those machines that have the big claws that you use to try to win a toy?  You know, the ones that eat quarters like a stressed-out mom eats chocolate?  Well, I, for one, hate those things.  Every time I go somewhere where they have one of those, my kids are drawn to them like flies to, uh, left out food.  I have told them over and over that they are just a scam and a big waste of money.  I think they actually started to believe me.

Then a few weeks ago my son Baber was at the bowling alley the day after his birthday.  He had the quarter with him that his grandma had taped to his present.  In went the quarter to the claw machine.  Out came a very cute, but cheap toy frog.

Okay, so now I'm a liar.  I had told him that you can never win those toys.  I had to restate that, yes, you CAN win SOMETIMES, but it is about as rare as one of my kids picking up their mess after being told only six or seven times.  I mean, it really just about never, ever happens.

So, fast forward to today.  I took the kids to the store and was at the register paying the bill.  The kind people at the store had the foresight to put one of those claw machines right across from the register.  My two youngest, Baber, who now thinks he has some serious clawing skills, and Bear, who is also a believer.  Well, I'm watching then out of the corner of my eye when I see this nice older lady workin' the claw.  She drops in the quarter.  Grabs a toy.  Then gives the toy to my son.  Okay.  Now I'm REALLY a liar.  But wait, there's more!  She could hardly give a toy to one kid and not the other, right?  So in goes another quarter, and wouldn't ya know it?  Another toy!  So she gives it to my daughter!  And if that weren't enough she gave them a dollar so that they could each try twice.  Okay, well thankfully they didn't win.

When I got done at the register I walked over and talked to the lady and "thanked her" for the toys.  (I put that in quotes as I can't honestly say I am thankful for two more stuffed animals around here.)  She then proceeded to tell me that she was totally into the claw game and would win them throughout the year to give out to kids on Halloween.  She loves the claw so much that she even had a mini-claw game at home!

So now what is a mother to do?  I have been outed as a liar as now my kids are just SURE that all it takes is a quarter or two to get a toy.  I am going to have to avoid those claw machines like the plague.  But like those little guys in Toy Story, I think the claw has come to get me.  I have been chosen.

Just hope I don't become...The Claw Lady!!!

New Review! Tracts from Let the Little Children Come

Well, hello there!!! I'm so glad you stopped by! :) I bet you'd like to get my posts delivered right to your inbox, now wouldn't you? So why not sign up for Feedburner? Check it out, it's right there in my sidebar! Thanks!!  :)

About the product/service:

As part of the Homeschool Review Crew, I received a free Gospel Tracts and Evangelism Tools Sampler Pack from Let the Little Children Come.

The sampler I received contained everything you see in the photo above: seven tracts, the wordless book, and two bracelets. You can purchase this sample pack or the individual items (as well as several other items) in packs of ten.  

What are the pros of this product? 

I feel that these tracts are great for kids because they are fun! Kids love things like this, even in this day of technology. Of course, the bracelets are also cool and wearing bracelets never seems to go out of style. 

These would be great to have for Sunday School, VBS, or anywhere else you have a group of kids and a heart to evangelize. 

What's not to like? 

Sorry, can't think of any negatives. ;)

The Crazy Mom take:

I'm actually surprised tracts are even still around. Who reads anything anymore that's not on a screen? Apparently, people still do as all the bookstores and libraries haven't shut down yet. However, kids are all about things that have lots of colors and move. How can we take the gospel to them when they too busy playing on a phone or iPad? Well, you have to make tracts that are geared towards kids fun!

Yep, kids are all about fun, now more than ever. Enter Let the Little Children come, a company that has pulled it off! They make evangelistic tracts and tools fun! I really was impressed when I got my sample pack. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I honestly didn't expect them to be so cool. My favorite tracts are the ones that are "animated." There is a screen that you move across the picture that makes it look like it's moving. I can't really explain it that well, but you can see it here. 

My favorite "tool" is the beaded bracelet. Yes, they've been around forever, but I have always liked them. You know what I'm talking about, right? Each of the five beads represents a part of the gospel story. For example, black symbolizes sin and red symbolizes the blood of Jesus. The bracelet comes unassembled so kids can put it together themselves as you present the gospel to them. Each kit comes with the five beads, a black cord, and card which explains how to put it together and what each bead stands for. You could also wear one as a conversation starter!

What's the bottom line?

US$ 11.95 (1 - 10 packs)

US$ 10.95 (11 - 20 packs)

US$ 9.95 (21 packs or more)

10 in each pack

I am going to give The Gospel Tract and Evangelism Tool Sampler 5 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! 

https://www.letthelittlechildrencome.com/child-evangelism-tools/gospel-tracts-and-evangelism-tools-sampler-pack

Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/LetTheLittleChildrenCome/  

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/gospel-tracts-and-evangelism-tools-let-the-little-children-come-reviews/

*The Smiley System:

:) I can't really recommend this product.

:)  :) I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

:)  :)  :) This is a good product, but it isn't right for everyone.

:)  :)  :)  :) Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

:)  :)  :)  :)  :) This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

New Review! Pencil Grip Kit and Safety Scissors from The Pencil Grip, Inc.

Well, hello there!!! I'm so glad you stopped by! :) I bet you'd like to get my posts delivered right to your inbox, now wouldn't you? So why not sign up for Feedburner? Check it out, it's right there in my sidebar! Thanks!!  :)

About the products: As part of the Homeschool Review Crew, I received The 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit and The Ultra Safe Safety Scissors from The Pencil Grip, Inc. so that I could check them out and let you know what I think.  

The pencil grips are small silicone grips that easily slide right onto your pencil or pen. They come in three levels and help you place your fingers in just the right position to get that proper grip. The three levels are:

• The Crossover Grip for Training
• The Pinch Grip for Transitioning
• The Pencil Grip for Graduation!

As you might have guessed, you start with the Crossover Grip and then transition until you are ready for graduation! (Diploma not included. Haha.)

As for the scissors, they are sharper than the usual kiddy scissors, but that isn't an issue because the blade is covered with a plastic safety shield. (I would strongly suggest making sure this shield is intact each time you hand them over to your child.) There is a very narrow area left open where you insert the paper you are going to cut. It's too narrow for even the smallest finger to fit into, so there is almost no chance of your child getting cut. Also, there is a weird little lever (yellow in the photo) which helps a child new to cutting to get used to how scissors work. They seem pretty durable as far as I can tell, but I no longer have a slew of toddlers and preschoolers around to really put them to the test. 

What are the pros of this product? 

Pencil Grip: 

• Inexpensive
• Comfortable 
• Easy to use
• Fits on most standard writing instruments
• Colorful and fun looking!

Safety Scissors:

• Inexpensive
• Easy to use
• Provides a clean cut
• Provides extra safety
• Training lever helps beginners to cut more easily 

What's not to like? 
We had no issues with either product.


The Crazy Mom take: 
Well, first, let me admit that I have a terrible grip and so does my son, Baber, 14. The grips totally forced us to hold our pencils correctly. It definitely does that well, and it's not at all uncomfortable. However, I would say in both of our cases, we are just too old and set in our ways to really want to change. If I could go back in time, I would have loved to have had these when I was first teaching the kids how to write! Since I have a terrible grip, I wasn't the best teacher or role model. I'm not sure any of my kids actually hold their pencils correctly. Of course, in this day and age, they honestly don't use a pen and paper that much anyway. Still, it just makes sense to learn how to do it right from the beginning. 

I would totally recommend these for younger kids, especially beginners, who aren't too set in their ways, or for people who are determined to make a change. (To be honest, I actually have pretty nice handwriting despite my freaky grip, so I'm okay with how I write.)

As far a the scissors, we are pretty much (okay totally) out of that stage, though we somehow still have several pairs of safety scissors floating around here. I mean, with my youngest being 14 it's been a while since I've needed any, though my hope is that it won't be too many years before I have some grandkids who might want to come over and do crafts. :) 

Anyway, I have to admit, these scissors are a bit odd-looking. I'm not really sure how necessary the sharper blade with the extra plastic guard really is. I mean, how precise does a child really need to be? I don't recall ever having an issue with the standard scissors for the type of projects my kids were doing when they were younger. Just because the scissors can be more precise, doesn't mean a toddler or preschooler has the ability to really take advantage of that. Am I right? However, as a child gets older, they do develop more fine motor skills, so I guess it's nice that when they do reach that level and are ready for a sharper, more precise blade, you can still have the safety of the plastic guard.

Basically, when choosing these over regular safety scissors, you gain a sharper blade and more safety, but the tradeoff is that it's a bit trickier to slide the paper into the narrow opening in order to cut it. If I were in the market for scissors I would probably want to have both kinds available and would just use whatever pair best fit the project we were doing. Since they aren't much more expensive than regular scissors, they would be nice to have around. Are they a necessity? No, I don't think so. Are they useful? I would say, in some cases yes. For four dollars, they would be nice to have around and it certainly won't break the bank. If you are looking for both precision and safety, I would gladly recommend these. 

What's the bottom line?
Scissors $4
Pencil Grip Training Kit $8.13

I am going to give the 3 Step Pencil Grip Training Kit and Ultra Safe Safely Scissors 4 out of 5 smileys!!! :) :) :) :)  

Check it out: 

http://www.thepencilgrip.com 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepencilgrip/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepencilgrip @thepencilgrip
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thepencilgrip/


See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/ultra-safe-safety-scissors-pencil-grip-training-kit-the-pencil-grip-inc-reviews





*The Smiley System:

:) I can't really recommend this product.

:)  :) I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

:)  :)  :) This is a good product, but it isn't right for everyone.

:)  :)  :)  :) Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

:)  :)  :)  :)  :) This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Classic Crazy Mom: Happy Anniversary to Me, Oh Yeah, and Sane Man, Too.

Originally posted on August 24, 2010

The other day I celebrated 22 years of marital bliss to my dear husband, Sane Man.  Well, bliss might not be the word, but he does put up with me, and aside from being sane, the man's a saint.  I mean, if you had to be married to me, you would understand.

So we're old now.  We really had no big plans for our special day.  We did go out to dinner, and that was really it.  We couldn't think of anything else to do.  All we did was stop at the drug store to get my son some medicine and get gas.  How romantic.

There was one thing I did want to do for my anniversary, get my engagement ring fixed.  You see, I'd lost the diamond out of it (it's okay, I found it), and I wanted to take it to the jewelers.  I did take it with me, but the place we bought it is no longer there, and we weren't sure where to take it.  It got to be late so we never got to it.  (You know all that getting gas and drugs takes time.)

Anyway, I got home and decided that I should probably get my wedding band enlarged a little as it was quite tight.  While I was thinking of it, I decided to take it off and put it with my engagement ring.  Well, boy was it stuck on there.  My poor finger was actually suffocating.  I got out the Vaseline.  I ran my hand under cold water.  I twisted and pulled.   But I could barely budge it.  This is when my dear husband decided to get involved.

Sane Man:  You'd better let me help you get that off.

Me:  NO!  I can do it.  It already hurts enough.

Sane Man:  Your finger is turning purple.  You're cutting off your circulation.

Me:  I can do it.

Sane Man:  You're not doing it.

Me:  But it will hurt.

Sane Man:  You need to get it off.  It won't hurt that bad.

Me:  Okay.  I guess.  But, please don't hurt me too much.

Sane Man:  Come here. (Starts pulling.)

Me: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Sane Man:  It's off.  That wasn't that bad, was it?

Me:  It was like giving birth.

Then I had to think about it for a minute.  Just how many women spend their anniversary having their husbands rip their wedding rings off?  Not many I hope!  :)

Throw Back Thursday: What's Under Your Couch Cushion?

Originally posted July 8, 2011:

You know the commercial that asks, "What's in your wallet?" Well, I'd like to ask you, "What's under your couch cushions?"

I used to try to keep things clean under my couch cushions. Several years ago I had a weekly meeting in my home. Each Wednesday I would make sure to dutifully clean and even vacuum under each cushion. There was one time I didn't get to it, and wouldn't you know, some friends brought their sick kid to the meeting who proceeded to throw up right in the corner of my couch. It was clean up the puke myself and avoid letting them see what was lurking under there, or let them do it and expose myself. Well, in that case, I chose the latter, but any other time I would be just horrified if anyone saw what was actually under there. That is, until now. I see the junk under the couch cushions in a whole new light!

It's amazing how helpful it has been to keep that treasure trove just as it is! The other day I needed a pencil. I reached my hand in the cushion and "Voila!" there was a pencil! Then my husband yelled that his comb was missing as he rushed to get ready for work. I reach in my trusty treasure stash, and "Tada!" there was a comb! The other day my daughter had a great time. She decided to reach in to see what she could find. Wouldn't you know, she came up with two miniature Mr. Goodbars and a Starkist candy! What fun! So you see, you have to look at things in a different light. Now, whenever I need something, a pencil, comb, nail clippers, ponytail holder or midnight snack, I just reach on into my trusty couch and I am never disappointed. Just don't bring over any sick kids.

Take that cleanies!!!

~The Crazy Mom

A Mini Birthday Tribute to My Husband

Happy 52nd Birthday to my man, Sane Man, the technical to my creative, the spontaneous to my planning, the spender to my frugal, tall to my short. We're total opposites in so many ways. We can't even agree how to set the thermostat. Sometimes I ask him, "Don't you have somewhere to go?"

Yet, over these past 30 years we have become one. We've learned so much from one another. We've become better people. I still blush when he looks into my eyes. I never tire of him telling me that he loves me. The reason for all of this is simple. We have one thing in common. We're both Jesus Freaks. While this may have started out a tribute to Dave, it's really a tribute to the Lord. God is good.

New Review! Chara Games!!!

Well, hello there!!! I'm so glad you stopped by! :) I bet you'd like to get my posts delivered right to your inbox, now wouldn't you? So why not sign up for Feedburner? Check it out, it's right there in my sidebar! Thanks!!  :)

About the product/service: As part of the Homeschool Review Crew, I received a free Unauthorized game from Chara Games. Note: That's the name of the game, it's not that someone sent the game without permission. LOL This game is meant to teach about the struggles of the underground Christian church using a social deduction model. Now, I am not huge into games, so I have no idea what that really means, but I do know that this game pits the pastor/church against the state. I am pretty much the absolute worst at learning and teaching these kinds of games, but my kids are totally adept at it. It seems like many of the other kinds of games they play are set up similarly. I tend to stick to card type games, meaning using regular playing cards. This game does use cards, but they are character and "experience" cards. 

Check out this YouTube video to see how to play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhOdlch2XZU

Note about the YouTube video: In the video the cards seem to be in some sort of protective sleeve. The cards don't come that way, but are like normal playing cards. 

What are the pros of this product?
We have it so easy here in America and other countries where there is religious freedom. It's not like it used to be, that's for sure, but we can still worship (or not worship) as we see fit. There are many places around the globe where that just isn't a reality. Christians are being persecuted in record numbers. How do we bring awareness to this issue? Playing a game? Well, at first that might seem a little silly. However, anything that brings awareness to an issue can spark a flame of compassion for those suffering. From there we can make others aware, pray, and maybe even find a way to do something about. This game is a great way to bring the subject up with family and friends. Sometimes people don't like to hear about things that might cause them to feel bad, but we can bring out a game and get the conversation started.

What's not to like? 
Since the game is for 6 to 12 players it can be hard to find enough people available to play. Even with nine of us here, it wasn't easy to find six people who were available. I would suggest bringing the game to a church function or Bible study if your family is small, busy, or just never all home at once. 

Also, each of the character cards is two-sided. You can choose either side to represent yourself. The pastor cards happen to have both male and female pastors. If you happen to believe that the pastoral role is reserved for men, this could be an issue. I would simply suggest that you use the other side of the card. Also, the reality is that some pastors in the persecuted church are female, so it simply depicts reality. I just thought I'd throw that out there. (My kids also thought the female pastor was a little too sexy with her colored hair and tight shirt. Check the cards out yourself below. Also, the male cop is overweight and eating a donut. LOL Stereotypes anyone?)




The Crazy Mom take:
It definitely took some time to figure out how to play. To be honest, I'm still not sure if we really have it down. This is normal for these kinds of games from my experience, though. If you are taking it to a Bible study or something, it would be very helpful to really get an idea of how it works so you don't have to spend all your time figuring it out. 

It was very interesting to look at all the thought that went into the experience cards. It really made me think! Your character can experience everything from learning spiritual truths, to encountering neverending joy, to being wrongly imprisoned or worse. Of course, if you're a police officer you can go so far as to execute someone! It's also really hard to take the side of the state, but there are times you almost have to. Actually, every move is difficult. Of course, other than whoever played the police officer, we all tended to lean toward making moves that helped gain more Christian cards, but sometimes that wasn't so cut and dry. Helping another player can actually put you in jeopardy. In that sense, it parallels what actually happens in the underground church. It can be a bit confusing, but my kids actually had a lot of fun playing it.  


What's the bottom line? $14.99

I am going to give Unauthorized 5 out of 5 smileys!!! :)  :)  :)  :)  :)

Check it out! http://charagames.com/games/unauthorized/

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See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/unauthorized-chara-games-reviews/



*The Smiley System:

:) I can't really recommend this product.

:)  :) I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

:)  :)  :) This is a good product, but it isn't right for everyone.

:)  :)  :)  :) Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

:)  :)  :)  :)  :) This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!