You try to talk to your kid about their phone… and it turns into a shutdown or a fight.

So you either push it…or stop bringing it up. And nothing really changes.

In this episode, I’m talking with therapist Mark Hamilton about why that keeps happening and what actually helps.

One of the biggest shifts is this:
stop trying to have “the talk” about screens.

This works a lot better when it’s smaller conversations over time.

We also get into some practical ways to make those conversations easier, including one idea you’ll probably remember: Dragon Goals, Not Elephant Goals

Thanks for listening!

If this was helpful, feel free to share it with another parent, and you can follow along for more like this.

If you want to see where your child is at right now, you can check out the Smartphone Readiness Quiz. You’ll find it in the show notes. It’s helpful whether they already have a phone or not.

In this first episode, I want to give you a sense of who I am and why I started this podcast.

I’m a licensed mental health and addictions counselor, and for the past 15 years I’ve worked closely with kids, teens, and families. Over that time, I’ve watched technology become a bigger part of their lives, and I’ve seen the impact it’s having up close.

Most of the parents I talk to feel like they’re trying to keep up. They know this stuff matters, but they’re not always sure what to do with it.

I get that. I’m a parent too, and I’m navigating this in my own home.

In this episode, I talk a bit about my background, what I’m seeing in families right now, and what I want this podcast to be moving forward.

We’ll be talking about what kids are actually dealing with online, what therapists and other experts are seeing, and how to think about all of this in a way that keeps you connected to your kids while still setting boundaries.

If you’re trying to figure this out as you go, you’re not alone. Follow along to get expert insight on how to navigate this with your kids.