The effects of exposure to video screens on phones, tablets, monitors and televisions has been a topic of study for over two decades now (and even longer when it comes to the effects of TV). The conclusion is not good. And, at the same time, you have nothing to really worry about. Both are true. Here’s a quick recap. 7 …
Parenting in the Time of COVID-19: Screens and Children
Stacy Jagger & James Wellborn Back in the early days of electronics, in the 1920–30s, families would huddle around the radio and share the experience of listening to their favorite programs. Then in the 1940s, television became the social centerpiece of the family. These TV shows were not daily events, rather, they were special occasions when the family gathered ‘round …
Parenting in the Time of COVID-19: Teens and Schedules
As we talked about in the Home Schedules and Children column, our lives are arranged around natural and artificial rhythms (e.g., sunrise/sunset, seasons of the year, wake/sleep times, hunting for and gathering food, clockwork time, school, work, personal grooming and weekday/weekend, etc.). Typical teen rhythms include sleep/wake, school day, changing classes, project due dates, school year/summer break. These rhythms shape …
Parenting through COVID-19: Teens and Isolation and Social Distancing
by James G. Wellborn and Stacy Jagger It is so much easier to talk to children about social distancing (see our previous column about talking to children) because you can tell them and then make them do what they are supposed to do whether they want to or not. Teens on the other hand, argue, complain and then try to …
Parenting through COVID-19: Kids and Isolation and Social Distancing
by James G. Wellborn and Stacy Jagger This virus thing is creating pandemonium and chaos—in my LIVING ROOM! What part of “You can’t go out” did you not understand?” “No, you can’t meet up with your friends. We are trying to stop a pandemic here!” (although according to us, you shouldn’t use the term pandemic to keep from scaring the …
Parenting in the Time of COVID-19: Talking to Teens About the Virus
This blog is the second of a series of columns Stacy Jagger, LMFT, RPT-S and I have written for the Williamson Home Page publications that provides information and suggestions about parenting through the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a follow-up to the talking with kids column focusing on talking to teens about the same issues. You can find the column in …
Parenting in the Time of COVID-19: Talking to Kids about the Virus
This blog is the first of a series of columns I have written with Stacy Jagger, LMFT, RPT-S providing information and suggestions about parenting through the COVID-19 pandemic. These blogs will help you explain to your kids what is happening as well as how to deal with the various challenges of having kids home for the next month or more. …
Thoughts on Anxiety, School Shooters and Being a Good Person
Some time ago, I spent an evening with middle and high school parents as part of a panel discussion on stress and anxiety last year. It was supposed to be about stress and anxiety in kids, though for some reason we kept turning to PARENT anxiety and stress. (Imagine that!). The frequency of anxiety in children and teens has been …
Thirteen Things to Talk to Your Teen About 13 Reasons Why A Parent’s Guide Episode 13: Side 7A Random Acts of Kindness & Noticing Others
[Note: It has recently come to light that the author of the book this video series was based on has been expelled from The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for violation of their harassment policy as reported by Deadline.] Thirteen Reasons Why, a video series based on a best-selling teen novel, is the story of a 17 year …
Thirteen Things to Talk to Your Teen About 13 Reasons Why A Parent’s Guide Episode 12: Side 6B Alcohol and Drugs & Decision Making
[Note: It has recently come to light that the author of the book this video series was based on has been expelled from The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for violation of their harassment policy as reported by Deadline.] Thirteen Reasons Why, a video series based on a best-selling teen novel, is the story of a 17 year old …