Hey!

This weekend is Mother’s Day and I hope you saw my post about how to set yourself up for success.

If you missed it, you can read it here: Don’t Fall for the Mother’s Day Trap: Two Rules to Follow.  Also, see my P.S. line below for a Mother’s Day gift idea to ask for.

Today’s tips are about a topic we love to hate and hate to love:  Screens! I think you’ll appreciate today’s pro tip:   

Tip #1: Don’t take the screen. Borrow his attention.

Most of us try to end screen time, as in:

“Time to get off.”
“Five more minutes.”
“You’ve had enough.”

This approach can lead to pushback, negotiating, or a full meltdown. To a child’s brain, the end of screen time can feel abrupt, like falling off a cliff, even with reminders.

Here’s a way to soften the transition by engaging your child’s mind in something else. 

Try borrowing their attention instead, like this: 

• “Hey, can I borrow you for a minute?”
• “Can you pause that. I want to show you something.”
• “I need your help with something real quick.”
• “I want to check ___ on your device for a sec.” (In my family, it’s usually Wordle or the weather)

It’s a small shift, but it can change the energy you’re putting forth.

You’re not taking something away. You’re gently inviting their attention away from screens and toward something meaningful.

The goal is to gently interrupt their focus without pushing them over the cliff, which will definitely trigger their brain into a state of fight/flight. We want to avoid that response.
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Once you have your child’s attention, you’ll have more options for how to move forward next.

If that shift resonates, I’m teaching this (and more) in a free workshop. If you missed it, but want to see the recording, send me a message through my contact page.

Tip #2:  Make a summer screen plan – you won’t regret it

It’s back. This was my most popular workshop last year (May 2025) and I’m running it again.

If screens have been a struggle in your house, join me for: 

4 Steps to Getting Your Son off Screens This Summer

​​​​​​​Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 12 pm Pacific
OR
Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 8 pm Pacific

I’ll walk you through:

• Why boys push back so hard on screen limits
• 3 mistakes that keep the cycle going
• 4 practical steps to help your son unplug without constant conflict

If you want a calmer summer and a plan you feel good about, I’d love to have you there.

❤️ Rachel

P.S. If a parent coaching session would be helpful for you, this is a great time. You can gift one to yourself, or forward this to someone who might want to gift it to you for Mother’s Day.

I’m offering $100 off private coaching sessions and packages in honor of Mother’s Day.

Purchase before May 15, 2026 and schedule your session any time. ​​​​

👉 Get the details for gifting a session here
Use Code: mothersday2026