It can be easy to allow technology to get in the way of intentional family time, especially in this season.
Join host, Barb Roose, and special guest Arlene Pellicane for a discussion all about screen time! Arlene will empower you with the tools you need to make positive changes. Through stories, science, and wisdom, you’ll discover how to take back your home from an overdependence on screens. Plus, you’ll learn to teach the five A+ skills that every child needs to master: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention.
Big Ideas From Today’s Show
1. Screen time is not neutral.
The time that your child spends on a screen directly impacts their brain and overall health. Technology has an addictive nature and can derail children emotionally, physically and spiritually. Boundaries are crucial to protect your child from the potential dangers of screen time.
2. Screen time can either be digital candy or digital vegetables.
Screen time can be profitable such as watching sermons, learning a new skill, or connecting with loved ones (digital vegetables) but it can also be extremely unproductive or even harmful such as excessive binging, turning to technology as a constant distraction, and accessing inappropriate content (digital candy).
3. As a parent, you get to set the rules.
It can be easy to give into our children when they want to spend time on screens, but Arlene encourages us to remember our authority and responsibility as parents. You get to set the boundaries for your children. Will you allow them to have cell phones? Can they create social media accounts? How much television can they watch during the week? You decide!
The A+ Social Skills:
1. Affection
Does your child feel loved? Is your child capable of showing genuine affection other than just liking a post or sending an emoji?
2. Appreciation
Does your child show gratitude rather than entitlement?
3. Anger Management
Is your child capable of managing their anger? Are you willing to stand in your authority as a parent even when your child gets angry?
4. Apology
Can your child apologize when they have done wrong?
5. Attention
Is your child capable of staying attentive or are they prone to distraction? Arlene shares that our attention span has decreased by 40% in the last 20 years. Your child’s attention will vary depending on age, but ensuring that they are not consumed with screen time and spending more time on tasks such as reading can help with this.
About Our Guest Arlene Pellicane
Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and author of several books including Screen Kids, Grandparenting Screen Kids, Parents Rising, and 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife.
Arlene has been a featured guest on the Today Show, Fox & Friends, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, The 700 Club, and Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah. She hosts The Happy Home podcast and writes regularly for Proverbs 31 Ministries and Girlfriends in God.
Arlene earned her BA from Biola University and her Masters in Journalism from Regent University. Arlene lives in San Diego with her husband James and their three children.
Links from today’s episode:
Arlene’s Website
Screen Kids: 5 Relational Skills Every Child Needs in a Tech-Driven World
Grab your copy here.
Grandparenting Screen Kids: How to Help, What to Say, and Where to Begin
Purchase the book here.
Better Together host Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author with a passion to help women live beautifully strong and courageous in Jesus’ name. She’s the author of multiple books and Bible studies, including Surrendered: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus and Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle. Visit Barb’s online home at barbroose.com.
