South Africa has the highest screen time in the world. But while we're all scrolling, what are we actually losing?

In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman explore a concept that changes how we think about our devices: opportunity cost. For every hour spent on a screen, something else is being sacrificed—and the price our children are paying might be higher than we realise.

They revisit a conversation that sparked their friendship: a doctor's observation that children now walk into consultations with phones in hand, numbing every uncomfortable moment before it even arrives. What happens when we constantly rescue our children from boredom, anxiety, and frustration? Claudia and Christy argue that we're not just stealing their boredom—we're stealing their creativity, their resilience, and their ability to sit with real emotions.

From the sleep disruption caused by blue light to the family connections traded for endless scrolling, they unpack the true cost of our screen habits. Christy shares the sobering statistics—the average teenager spends six to nine hours a day on screens but only 45 minutes with family—while Claudia explains the neuroscience behind why screen time isn't rest, why melatonin matters, and how a lack of sleep can make a teenager behave like a child.

Together, they offer a way forward: rethinking our defaults, setting boundaries, and most importantly, leading by example. Because the screen culture we want for our children starts with the relationship we have with our own devices.

If you've ever felt uneasy about how much time your family spends on screens but aren't sure what to do about it, this episode will give you the clarity and permission to start small.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

When your child is miserable with a cough or fever, the medicine cabinet can feel like the only place to turn. But how many of those colourful syrups and familiar bottles are actually helping—and how many are quietly doing harm?

In this episode, Dr. Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman take a hard look at the medications parents reach for most. From the sedating antihistamines Claudia calls "dirty drugs" to the cough syrups containing opioids, they unpack why some of these remedies are not just ineffective but potentially dangerous for children.

They explore the decongestants that can spike heart rates and blood pressure, the oral steroids that are far too easily prescribed, and the antibiotics we demand even when they won't touch a virus. Claudia explains why that red syrup from your own childhood might need to stay in the past, and why a wait-and-see approach is often the wisest medicine of all.

But this isn't about fear-mongering. It's about clarity—knowing when medication is genuinely needed, when natural doesn't automatically mean safe, and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can give a sick child is time, rest, and a little honey.

If you've ever stood in a pharmacy aisle overwhelmed by choices, this episode will help you make decisions with confidence, not guilt.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

Walk into any pharmacy or listen to any school gate conversation, and you'll hear about the latest supplement promising stronger immunity, fewer sick days, and healthier children. But how much of this is backed by science, and how much is clever marketing?

In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman tackle the million-rand question every parent faces: Do our children really need immune-boosting supplements, or is a healthy diet and lifestyle enough?

Christy opens up about the debate in her own home—raised on the belief that food provides everything a child needs, while her husband comes from a family that swears by supplements. Together, they dig into the latest research, including recent health warnings about vitamin D overdose and zinc supplements for children.

Claudia explains why toddlers are naturally prone to frequent infections (hint: they're building immunity, not lacking it) and why the basics—sleep, nutrition, outdoor play, and stress management—are the true foundation of a healthy immune system. Claudia also offers practical guidance on which supplements can be genuinely helpful, at what doses, and for which children. She shares a sobering story about the dangers of incorrect dosing and why more is definitely not better when it comes to vitamins and minerals.

Tune in for a conversation that will leave you informed, empowered, and ready to navigate the supplement maze with confidence.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/