Building More Balanced Digital Habits in Families
"Hold on. Let me put my phone down."
This might just be the most powerful phrase in today’s world.
Like it or not, screens have woven themselves into every aspect of our lives. And while they bring undeniable benefits (education, connection, and even creativity), we all know how much screen time is robbing us of the present moment.
Of course, by now we’ve all heard about the dangers of excessive screen time for children:
Emotional outbursts when asked to log off
Anxious impatience to get back online
Difficulty focusing and staying motivated offline
Social withdrawal and fewer in-person friendships
Heightened stress from overstimulation and lack of rest
A decline in creativity and interest in hobbies
Of course we worry about our children growing up with these struggles, but the real concern is anticipating what happens when kids carry these habits into adulthood. This screen addiction can lead to a life that feels less fulfilling, less connected, and more dependent on digital distractions.
It’s an overwhelming issue, that's for sure. But, I’m not here to scare you or make you feel like we're hopeless against it
In fact, I’d like to offer you this key takeaway:
The issue isn’t actually the screens themselves. It’s the feelings our kids are getting from their screens that they may not be getting in real-life.
In short, screens are so addictive because they satisfy everything the brain craves:
Instant stimulation & feedback – Every like, message, or win delivers a dopamine hit that just reinforces the cycle.
A sense of success – Unlike real life, failure doesn’t have lasting consequences online. They can restart a game, delete a post, or hide behind a username.
A guaranteed sense of belonging – Social media and online communities offer a quick way to feel seen and accepted, even though it's really just an illusion of belonging.
A safe space to escape stress – When life feels overwhelming, screens provide an easy way to disconnect from real-world challenges.
I’m going to say this really loudly:
THESE ARE ALL THINGS CHILDREN SHOULD BE GETTING FROM THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND THE WORLD AROUND THEM, AND NOT JUST FROM A SCREEN.
Read that again.
With that in mind, I invite you to stop focusing so much on breaking screen addictions, and to instead get curious about why our children are turning to screens in the first place. What need is the screen fulfilling that they're not otherwise getting? And how can we meet that need in healthier, more meaningful ways?
Because, more than anything, our kids need us to be emotionally present. They need to feel seen, supported, and connected to us in ways that no screen can ever replace.
As parents, when we learn to be more present, energized, and most importantly, ready TO LEAD THE WAY, we have the great opportunity to champion our kids! We're not meant to just be rule enforcers, scolding our kids anytime they're on their screens. We must instead act as emotional anchors at a time in our children's lives where they truly need that.
To show up for our children in this way, we need to take care of ourselves first.
Being an emotionally present parent requires energy, focus, and lots of self regulation. If we’re exhausted, distracted, or overwhelmed, it becomes nearly impossible to provide the space our kids need and guide them toward healthier habits. We have to lead by example. That doesn't mean we have to be perfect, but being intentional goes a really long way.
When we create an environment where children feel safe, valued, and connected, it
naturally reduces their need to seek those feelings from a screen.
A Workshop for Real Change
With all of this in mind, I’ve created a workshop for both teens and their families.
The truth is, we can talk to teens all day long about developing better screen habits, but if their home environment doesn’t support these habits, nothing will stick.
That’s why this workshop brings both parents and teens into the conversation where we’ll:
Identify the deeper needs that screens are filling
2. Explore ways to meet those needs in healthier, real-world ways
3. Establish practical and realistic digital boundaries and renewed commitments
4. Strengthen family connections and improve communication
I'll say it again, the issue isn’t about simply taking screens away. It’s about understanding why these screens have such a hold on us, and working to create a home environment where real-life interactions feel just as rewarding (or hopefully even more rewarding!) as digital ones.
If this is something your family is struggling with, I’d love to help you! Since it's such a prevalent topic with high demand, I’m happy to accommodate individual schedules to make it work best for you and your family.
Contact me and let’s chat about what’s most important!