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 in the Time of COVID-19: Children and Home Schedules
Our lives are arranged around natural and artificial rhythms. The original rhythms are celestial-sunrise/sunset, cycles of the moon, menstruation, seasons of the year. Artificial rhythms include wake/sleep times, eating meals, hunting for and gathering food. Society creates rhythms that include clockwork time, school, work, personal grooming and weekday/weekend. Rhythms in specific contexts include changing classes, team meetings, project due dates, …
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: Movies About Isolation To Watch With Your Teen
While you are locked up with your teenager day after day after day after day after day (after day), you can run out of things to occupy your time. Could there be a more perfect solution than family movie night?! But what movies are both entertaining and yet provide an opportunity for you to discuss important issues with your child. …
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. …
Parenting In The Time of COVID-19: Specific Questions Kids May Have about the Virus
This blog has some questions kids may ask about COVID-19. These blogs have been written with Stacy Jagger, LMFT, RPT-S to provide 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 original column here. Once you have …