Episode 014: Parenting and Screen Time
Many parents share that they feel overwhelmed when it comes to helping their children have healthy relationships with the technology surrounding them. In this episode we explore this topic and share some helpful advice we've come across recently.
SHOW NOTES:
Many parents share that they feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start when it comes to helping their children have healthy relationships with the technology surrounding them in their everyday lives. Attention is today's new currency and smart phones, tablets, streaming services, and video games have got a zombie like hold on the market. In this episode we explore this topic and share some helpful advice we've come across recently.
Parenting in the digital age is a new frontier that we're all learning to navigate. And we're in this together, right? Well, we think so and are eager to share some helpful advice we've come across recently:
Create house rules that work for you and your family. Make them explicit, write them down, and have a way to reference back to them when needed. For specific ideas, and different approaches, check out this article: What The Screen Time Experts Do With Their Own Kids
Shift from monitoring to mentoring. Move beyond time restrictions and parental controls for screen time and work to understand the media your kids engage with and how it informs their identity. Read how one family worked together to make small, but meaningful changes: At Your Wits' End With A Screen-Obsessed Kid? Read This
Don't underestimate the importance of role modeling and examine your own screen time use. How you interact and engage with media (that includes email and computer work) creates a foundation for your kids behavior. Explore this from a child development perspective and consider some changes you can make for yourself! The Dangers of Distracted Parenting
Weekly Challenge! Have an unplugged meal this week: eat at least one meal with your family (or friends, or by yourself!) without any technology or media distractions. This means no television, phone, computer, tablets, etc. Already do this? Consider adding in a mindful eating exercise! Click here for a mindful eating guide.
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