How can we work WITH our kids to help create healthy tech boundaries?

Today's special guest is a mom and a screen time expert who has some practical tools to help us collaborate as a family.

Andrea Davis and her husband, Tyler, live in beautiful Hood River, Oregon. They are the parents of five children: four girls and one boy. Andrea is a former teacher, an outdoor enthusiast, and has been a stay-at-home for almost 15 years. She and Tyler co-created the website, Better Screen Time, where they share positive strategies for screens and technology so parents can worry less and connect more with their kids.

Highlights from this episode:

-When you're considering how much screen time is appropriate, look around. Take an assessment of what really matters. It's the relationships and connections we have with family. -Keep an eye on what's important. Worry less and connect more.

-Pay attention to "stopping cues" when you are on your screens. Consider boundaries for health.

-How do you want to fill the white space in your life? Hopefully with nourishing relationships rather than technology.

-Develop a relationship with kids so that they come to YOU when they are curious about something or have questions. Don't let the search engine be the default.

-Be proactive when talking to your kids about sex and intimacy.

-Consider the emotional response we have with tech. Try not to use it as a pacifier for ourselves or our children. Consider other healthier alternatives that will help us develop coping skills.

-Develop practical interactive ways to get your kids to build their own tech safety solutions. Getting them involved helps them understand the "why."

-When you are setting or enforcing boundaries, you might get push-back from your kids--and that's OK!

Challenge: Download the FREE Quick Guide to Creating a Family-Tech Plan and go over it with your family.

Links/Resources:

Too Much Screen Time? (MSM Podcast)

"Am I Ready for a Personal Device" Self-Evaluation for Teens (Better Screen Time)

Creating a Tech-Healthy Family Online Course (Better Screen Time)

Quick Guide to Creating a Family-Tech Plan (Better Screen Time)