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Your child has been begging you for a phone (or video game, social media, tablet, etc). You have held out for a long time but this Christmas, you decided to wrap that phone and place it under the tree. What can you expect after the gift is given? What kind of guidelines can you present with the phone? How can you set up your child for success and not failure? On today's 25 Days of Christmas episode, Arlene shares:

2:00 What was the lamest Christmas present you ever got? 

5:30 Pre-order Arlene’s new book Making Marriage Easier 

5:00 The gift (phone, iPad, etc) has been given, now what?

8:20 You are not manipulated into giving a gift, it’s voluntary 

9:40 What if my child made a Powerpoint presentation begging me? 

11:05 Ground rules for the phone 

13:30 You need systems, not just good intentions 

15:00 Protect Young Eyes, monitoring and more, DNS, Clean Browsing 

18:00 Warning signs that your child is not ready for that phone or game 

20:45 What if you need to take the gift away from your child? 

24:50 What can I do right now to help my child have a better relationship with technology? How did we get here? 

Arlene Pellicane is the host of the Happy Home podcast and author of books like Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman) and Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life. Arlene and her husband James have raised three kids in Southern California who went through high school without smartphones, social media, or video games (and actually enjoyed it).

Pre-order Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/

You've got a little time - check out family devotions and activities in Arlene's free resource, 25 Days of Christmas. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Read Arlene's book Screen Kids https://arlenepellicane.com/book/screen-kids/

Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025