Did you know that screen time can effect your child's speech?  We tend to think about devices when it comes to older children and what they are experiencing, but the reality is that children are exposed to screens at a very young age.  And this exposure, even in small increments, but consistently throughout the day...can lead up to not just alot of screen time, but concerning physical issues as well.  Dr. Nancy Wood discusses various physical development issues, such as problems with speech, as well as psycho social/emotional health issues.  I learned so much from my conversation with her and I know you will as well!

I am so excited to introduce our guest for todays episode.  Her name is Erin Schwant.  She has a masters degree in marriage and family therapy and worked in private practice in Jackson Mississippi before moving home to Mobile, which is where she grew up. In 2012 she was hired to develop a preschool at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. That school, St. Paul’s Early Education Center, is now 10 years old and serves 140 families a year. Erin and her husband husband, Troy,  have five boys Jack, 15, Charlie 12, Sam 11, Robert 7, and William 5.  Erin and I chat about how screen time is effecting the development of our young children.  If you have kids ages 1-5...you do NOT want to miss this.  You will be surprised, and maybe a bit shocked to hear how screen time can affect your child's developing brain.  She also provides beautiful tips to help you navigate this space and form a closer relationship with your child.  

Words matter.  They are the cornerstone of our every day lives. What we say, how we say it. It has so much impact on our lives and the lives of others. They are an inexhaustible resource that have started…and stopped…wars. They influence how we think and what we believe. No matter the language, they hold more power than any weapon ever created. This is a topic of conversation that I will always be passionate about. Especially when it comes to educating our youth.  During this episode I talk about why it is so important that we educate our children about how much their word matter.  I also provide a few tips on how to have this conversation...as well as tips to help your children have a better understanding of what their online behavior should look like.  

If you need help or extra support in this area...please do not hesitate to reach out...I am always here!

[email protected]

770-558-9931

In this episode I provide you with free, easy, actionable steps you can take right now to protect your kids in the online space.  We are all incredibly busy.  As parents we do not want another expensive long program with difficult answers when it comes to protecting our kids. This episode will quickly provide you several options you can start using today.  We also discuss...where is the BEST place to have a conversation with your child.  You might be surprised where...and also surprised by my rule for these conversations.  

Do you find yourself overwhelmed in navigating your child's social media?   Are they continuing to have mis-steps in this space?  I am always here to help.  I provide one on one coaching for parents and kids/teens. You may reach me at:

770-558-9931

[email protected]

www.knbcommunications.com

We talk alot about removing devices as a consequence for mis-steps either  with the device or through social media/gaming.  But what happens when your child's reaction to the device removal becomes frightening? Today I discuss why your children are so attached to their devices/social media/gaming.  I also talk about severe reactions that can occur...sometimes even leading to suicidal behavior.  I feel it is important that we understand the possibility of Therese behaviors...and then what to do if the occur.

If your child threatens you with harm due to device removal or threatens to harm themselves, please contact the local police department.  The national suicide hot line is now 988.  You may dial this and receive help in the US.

If you need coaching support for your child/teen, your family or for you as a parent...please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

Candra Gerorge is a mother and business owner.  In this episode she tells her family's incredibly personal story about how, despite all of her efforts to protect her 9 year old son from accessing inappropriate information online...he was able to access pornography.  She tells her story in hopes of educating other parents on not just the important of device monitoring but also the importance of having open early conversations with your child about what they are viewing.  Her story will tug at your heartstrings as a parent, but also give you hope that even in the midst of hard conversations beautiful relationships can be formed and strengthened.  

Candra George, founder of  The OWEL , has been working in the photography industry since 2007 and her work has been featured in multiple media outlets and publications worldwide.  The OWEL Foundation is a 501C3 aimed at helping those girls with foster care background and/or in danger of aging out of the system. Currently, they are in partnership with Jame's Samaritan Louisiana and The Northlake Pregnancy Crisis Center.  Together they are "adopting" those girls who are pregnant, providing them with supplies and support services, all aimed at keeping their babies out of the foster care system. They will have served approximately 48 girls in a year. 

When Candra isn't working, she spends her days in south Louisiana, with her husband Wes, 9-year-old son, Wesley Brooks, and dogs Magnolia and Daisy. Most days she's able to outsmart the latter three.

https://www.theowelproject.com

https://www.knbcommunications.com

We talk so much about how social media can hurt our kids.  But what are the consequences from withholding social media from our kids?  This episode takes a look at the challenges from both sides.  

www.knbcommunications.com

[email protected]

FB: Crack the Code

FB: KNB Communications, LLC

Our youth are facing a lot right now.  Anxiety and depression is at an all time high.  Life's challenges can feel incredibly overwhelming.  Kaysha Clark, LPC, M.A.  joins us to chat about how we as parents can help our children navigate these waters.  Kaysha has over 20 years experience as a counselor working with children, teens, and adults dealing with OCD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-injurious behaviors, conduct and attachment disorders, eating disorders, hoarding, and personality disorders.  She leads us through a discussion on how she feels today's pandemic, online news, peer relationships, and social media in general is effecting our kids.  She also provides some amazing tools that we can use at home if we have children that are facing anxiety or depression.  

Kaysha recommends several resources as support for parents.  They are as follows: Dr Wagner with the Anxiety & Wellness Center.  (The Four C's Method) https://www.anxietywellness.com  Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255. Carepoint through Altapoint for local listeners in the Baldwin County area.  

Kaysha's website is https://www.kayshalittleclarklpc.com

My greatest hope with this podcast is to inform and empower you.  To give you the tools and information so we can do better, so we can be better.  I have always believed that open, honest, thoughtful conversations can lead to meaningful, lasting change.  I do not always have the right questions, or know the best answers. But I do know when it is important to listen.  And learn from others.  I am so incredibly honored to have Ivie Hixon join us for this episode.  Ivie and her husband are the parents of five beautiful children.  She is Puerto Rican and her husband is African American.  In this episode Ivie speaks her truth about what they have experienced as a family in relation to racism.  We discuss several incidents that have occurred over the years.  And while Ivie will tell you, this is not something she likes to talk about...or has ever talked about...she does feel that now is the time to have these conversations.  My hopes are as she bravely leads us through the experiences that her family has had, that it will encourage us to take a deeper look at race, race inequality and racism.  I hope that her courage in sharing her truth will encourage us to explore deeper, open, more meaningful conversations with one another and with our children.  And that these conversations can lead us to do better.  To be better.  

Right now it can feel like the entire world is falling apart.  Everywhere you look, it feels like there is chaos.  Do you feel it in your family?  We have two teenage boys, 13 & 15, and I know they are feeling it and seeing it everyday.  They see so much of it through social media.  And it just feels extra loud.  I find myself having to discuss with them pandemics, rioting, protesting, human rights, race issues.  All of these things feel heavy. And  I never feel like I have the right words.  But I do know that it is important to continue to have open conversations, to listen...and it is ok if we struggle in the process.  In this episode I share a bit of my heart.  I may not have all of the answers, but I do know social media and I do know parenting.  And I know there are so many influencers-influencing our kids thoughts everyday.  The news is loud,  These voices are loud.  But are we taking the time to discover who our children are allowing to influence their lives.  And then are we really listening to what our kids have to say?  I hope this episode will encourage you to dig in, remain open and listen.