Smartphones and social media have radically transformed childhood. In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker and Dr. Jean Twenge explore how constant digital exposure is linked to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption in kids and teens.

Dr. Twenge shares powerful tips from her book, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World, including:

• Delay smartphone use until kids drive
• Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight
• Set daily screen limits and enforce them
• Openly discuss the dangers of cyberbullying and online content

These rules help reclaim childhood from the grip of technology.

While tech is here to stay, balance is possible. Dr. Twenge emphasizes proactive parenting—being aware, staying involved, and not being afraid to set firm boundaries.

As Dr. Meeker reminds listeners, protecting kids' mental health is worth every hard conversation about screens, apps, and smartphones.

📚Resources

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Learn More About Dr. Jean Twenge’s Research

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In this follow-up to our conversation on divorce and healing, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with therapist and integrative healer Dawn Wiggins to talk about what it really takes to recover from any kind of trauma — whether it’s divorce, loss, or years of emotional stress.

Wiggins explains how trauma shapes our nervous system, thoughts, and relationships — and how real healing happens when we reconnect body, mind, and spirit. Together, they unpack practical ways to calm the body, release old pain, and create safety from the inside out.

🧭 Key Takeaways

• Trauma lives in the body — and the nervous system needs to feel safe before real healing begins.
• Being present (not perfect) helps children and loved ones feel secure.
• Recognize and release negative beliefs that keep you stuck in fear or guilt.
• Tools like EMDR, somatic therapy, and homeopathy can help integrate emotional healing.
• Healing is a full-body process — involving your brain, your breath, and your belief system.
• When you heal yourself, you break generational patterns and model resilience.

About Dawn Wiggins

Dawn Wiggins is a licensed therapist, homeopath, and integrative healer who helps people recover from trauma and life transitions. She’s the creator of A Different “D” Word, a year-long healing program, and host of the podcast Dear Divorce Diary, where she guides listeners toward emotional safety, balance, and self-trust.

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💡 Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed as a Parent? Dr. Meg Meeker Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose.

Start your coaching journey today

Sponsors:

• Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg
• Born Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com
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*This episode is sponsored by Dawn Wiggins. 

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Children process divorce very differently than adults do. In this episode, we explore how to recognize their pain, help them express big emotions, and avoid critical parenting mistakes post-divorce. Learn the do’s and don’ts of co-parenting, when to introduce a new partner, and why listening is your most powerful tool.

Topics Covered:

• How children's grief differs from adults'
• Emotional and cognitive responses to divorce
• The hidden pain children carry
• Navigating anger, guilt, and loyalty binds
• What not to say about your ex
• Why rushing into dating can backfire
• Encouraging open, validating conversations
• Realistic timelines for healing

💡 Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed as a Parent? Dr. Meg Meeker Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose. Start your coaching journey today

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• Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg
• Born Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com
• Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
• IXL Summer Bridge – Keep kids learning with just 15 minutes a day. Shop at summerbrains.com/DRMEG
• Homeaglow – Get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19 at Homeaglow.com/DRMEG
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In this powerful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado to talk about parenting peace, faith-based mindset shifts, and the concept of "picky thinking." Learn how to guard your mind, model faith for your teens, and help your children battle anxiety, negative self-talk, and social media pressures. Max shares his personal stories, parenting wisdom, and biblical insights to help families thrive in truth and peace.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why “picky thinking” can transform your parenting mindset
• How to identify and overcome UFOs (Untruths, False Narratives, and Overreactions)
• The impact of modeling prayer and emotional control for teens
• The vital role fathers play in shaping daughters’ self-worth
• Practical ways to take your thoughts captive for a calmer home

Resources:

Max Lucado’s book: Tame Your Thoughts

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💡 Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed as a Parent? Dr. Meg Meeker Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose.

Start your coaching journey today

Sponsors:

• Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg
• Born Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com
• Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
• IXL Summer Bridge – Keep kids learning with just 15 minutes a day. Shop at summerbrains.com/DRMEG
• Homeaglow – Get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19 at Homeaglow.com/DRMEG
• Listen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange

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In this transformative episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes psychotherapist and parenting coach Todd Sarner to unpack powerful, research-backed parenting strategies that prioritize connection and attachment over behavior control. Sarner challenges the traditional "behavior-first" models and instead encourages a relational, attachment-first parenting style that fosters emotional regulation, trust, and long-term resilience in children.

From exploring the root causes of conflict to rethinking discipline through the lens of unmet needs, this episode provides practical tools, mindset shifts, and actionable advice for parents navigating the complexities of raising emotionally healthy children in today's world. Todd also teases key insights from his upcoming book, The Calm and Connected Parent, making this a must-listen for any caregiver wanting to parent with purpose, empathy, and strength.

About Our Guest

Todd Sarner, MFT, is a psychotherapist and parenting coach who has spent over 20 years helping parents turn daily struggles into lasting connection and cooperation at home. He is the founder of Transformative Parenting and the author of the forthcoming book The Calm & Connected Parent: An Attachment-First Guide to Raising Resilient Kids in the Age of Screens and AI (November 2025). Blending attachment science with practical psychology, Todd offers clear, compassionate tools that move beyond theory into real-world strategies parents can use in heated moments. He specializes in working with high-achieving, thoughtful parents who often feel like they’re doing everything “right” but still experience conflict, disconnection, or digital-age pressures. Through his coaching, teaching, and writing, Todd empowers families to help their children thrive emotionally while creating more calm and connection at home. 

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💡 Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed as a Parent? Dr. Meg Meeker Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose.

Start your coaching journey today

Sponsors:

• Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg
• Born Shoes – 15% off full-price styles + free shipping with code DRMEG at BornShoes.com
• Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
• IXL Summer Bridge – Keep kids learning with just 15 minutes a day. Shop at summerbrains.com/DRMEG
• Homeaglow – Get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19 at Homeaglow.com/DRMEG
• Listen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange

Disclosure: This episode is sponsored by Todd Sarner and Transformative Parenting. We received compensation for this interview. All opinions expressed are our own.

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In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker speaks with Ray Alex Williams, a man who transitioned to living as a trans woman—and later de-transitioned. His story offers rare, firsthand insight into what happens when someone believes gender transition is the answer, only to discover it isn't.

As more parents navigate complex conversations with their children around gender identity, this interview is a must-listen. Ray dives deep into how childhood influences, exposure to pornography, the allure of a new identity, and cultural pressures led him toward transition—and why faith ultimately led him back.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• The emotional toll that transitioning takes.
• How pornography and culture distort gender identity.
• Why not every child needs immediate affirmation.
• How silence from parents can send the wrong message.
• The role of faith in finding identity and healing.

About Our Guest

Ray Alex Williams is a writer, speaker, and advocate who shares his personal journey of gender transition, de-transition, and spiritual transformation. With deep candor, Ray speaks about the psychological, cultural, and spiritual factors that influenced his identity—and how his return to faith helped him find peace. His story offers rare insight for parents, pastors, and professionals navigating today’s conversations around gender and truth.

👉 Learn more about Ray and read his writings at Ray Alex Williams | Substack.

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💡 If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose.

Start your coaching journey today

Sponsors:

• Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
• Fam Gabs – 10% off conversation cards with code DRMEGPOD
• K12-powered Schools – Tuition-free, accredited online learning for K–12
• Thrive Causemetics – Clean beauty with purpose. 10% off your first order
• Listen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange
• Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg

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In this episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker is joined by Tia Slightman to explore the "why" behind your child's behavior. Together, they provide simple, effective strategies for disciplining with love and respect—without power struggles or emotional explosions.

You’ll learn how your own personality influences your discipline style, how to set firm boundaries, and how to stay calm even when your child isn’t. They also dive into the Behavior Needs Roadmap, helping you handle challenging behaviors with confidence. Plus, there's encouragement for single parents and those navigating trauma recovery with children.

Whether you're parenting a strong-willed child or just tired of yelling, this episode offers hope—and real tools you can use today.

Tia Slightman is a parenting strategist and creator of the Behavior Needs Roadmap. She helps parents decode their child’s behavior and discipline with empathy and consistency. Learn more at www.tiaslightman.com.

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💡 If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose.

Start your coaching journey today

Sponsors:

• Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
• Fam Gabs – 10% off conversation cards with code DRMEGPOD
• K12-powered Schools – Tuition-free, accredited online learning for K–12
• Thrive Causemetics – Clean beauty with purpose. 10% off your first order
• Listen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange
• Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From finding joy in small, everyday moments to leveraging technology as a tool for inspiration, this episode offers practical advice for overwhelmed parents and emphasizes how awe can be a protective emotional anchor in today’s chaotic world.

Whether it's watching clouds, taking in art, or sharing a heartfelt show like Carl the Collector, you’ll walk away with actionable tips and renewed inspiration to reconnect with your child through the lens of wonder.

About Our Guest: Deborah Farmer Kris

Deborah Farmer Kris is a parenting journalist, education columnist, and child development expert with a deep passion for helping families rediscover joy and connection. She is a columnist for PBS KIDS for Parents and the founder of Parenthood365, where she offers practical resources to help parents navigate the beautiful (and messy) moments of everyday life. Deborah is also an educational consultant and frequent speaker on how to cultivate awe, resilience, and curiosity in children.

Resources:

Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive (Free Spirit Parenting™) – Paperback, May 27, 2025

👉 https://amzn.to/4ozm1EH

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💡 If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to move forward in your parenting journey, Dr. Meg Meeker can help. With decades of experience as a pediatrician and parenting coach, Dr. Meg offers 1-on-1 coaching to help you build confidence, strengthen your family, and parent with purpose.

Start your coaching journey today

From finding joy in small, everyday moments to leveraging technology as a tool for inspiration, this episode offers practical advice for overwhelmed parents and emphasizes how awe can be a protective emotional anchor in today’s chaotic world.

Whether it's watching clouds, taking in art, or sharing a heartfelt show like Carl the Collector, you’ll walk away with actionable tips and renewed inspiration to reconnect with your child through the lens of wonder.

Sponsors:

• Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
• Fam Gabs – 10% off conversation cards with code DRMEGPOD
• K12-powered Schools – Tuition-free, accredited online learning for K–12
• Thrive Causemetics – Clean beauty with purpose. 10% off your first order
• Listen to Aidee, "Nothing Rhymes With Orange": https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange
• Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 2 of this live series, Meg returns with practical solutions for one of the biggest challenges facing today’s families: protecting kids from online porn and predators. If Part 1 opened your eyes to the harsh reality, Part 2 arms you with real tools, proven strategies, and powerful conversations that can help you take back control.

Join Meg as she unpacks:

• How predators target kids through popular apps and games
• Why delaying internet access might be the best parenting move you make
• The best parental control software (like BARK and Screen Strong)
• The safest starter devices for kids (Gab Watch and beyond)
• How to open conversations about sex, privacy, and online dangers with your child
• How to monitor devices without breaking trust

This episode is filled with hope, empowerment, and practical tactics you can start using today. Don't miss this vital continuation of the conversation every parent needs to hear.

👉 Want all the resources mentioned in today’s episode?

Sign up here to get the full guide.

💬 Need help applying this to your family?

Book a coaching session with Meg today.

Sponsors:

• Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
• Fam Gabs – 10% off conversation cards with code DRMEGPOD
• K12-powered Schools – Tuition-free, accredited online learning for K–12
• Thrive Causemetics – Clean beauty with purpose. 10% off your first order
•  Listen to Aidee, “Nothing Rhymes With Orange”: https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange  
• Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg

Tags: Pornography, Screens, Social Media, Online Safety, Parenting Styles, Sexual Abuse, Mental Health, Self Esteem, Child Development, Time Management

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In this powerful episode of Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with journalist and author Leland Vittert, who shares his compelling journey growing up on the autism spectrum. From enduring bullying to discovering his voice through writing, Leland opens up about the key role his father played in his development and how perseverance and unconditional support changed the trajectory of his life.

Leland’s memoir, Born Lucky, chronicles his experience navigating the world with neurodiversity, the impact of an autism diagnosis, and the emotional highs and lows of childhood. This episode is a message of hope for parents raising neurodiverse children, reminding us that persistence, trust, and love truly matter.

Key Themes:

• The emotional and social challenges of growing up autistic
• The long-term effects of bullying
• Why early diagnosis and support matter
• The powerful role of a present and engaged parent
• Learning social skills and resilience in real life

📘 Learn more about Leland Vittert’s book Born Lucky: https://amzn.to/42Ae4X8

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Sign up here for the free webinar: Protecting Your Kids from Pornography, Part 2:

What You Can Do.

Sponsors:

• Hungryroot – 40% off + free gift with code DRMEG
• Fam Gabs – 10% off conversation cards with code DRMEGPOD
• K12-powered Schools – Tuition-free, accredited online learning for K–12
• Thrive Causemetics – Clean beauty with purpose. 10% off your first order
•  Listen to Aidee, “Nothing Rhymes With Orange”: https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange  
• Rula makes quality mental healthcare accessible and affordable—matching you with licensed therapists who accept your insurance, often with appointments as soon as tomorrow. Get started at Rula.com/drmeg

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