Hey Friends
I’m back from Burning Man. It was a rough one this year, but still offered plenty of growth in the face of challenges. Maybe I’ll share more about that another time. 🙂
And if you’re new here, welcome! This is Two Tip Tuesday, my periodic newsletter where I aim to give you one pro parenting tip and one red hot resource.
Let’s get to it.
Tip #1: Create a Post-Screens Ritual
During one of our Boy Mom Academy sessions, a mom said that whenever her kids get off their screens, they look at a Calvin and Hobbes book.
I was very intrigued by this.
She said it’s very helpful to have a specific plan for what happens right after screen time, and that reading Calvin and Hobbes became their ritual.
It makes sense. It’s like a transition object (or activity) for the separation anxiety of getting off screens.
Little kids use transitional objects, like stuffed animals or blankies, to help them manage separation. Why not invite older kids to use a transitional activity to help them separate from screens?
So today’s tip is to swap out the big empty space following “Turn it off,” for a predictable activity or ritual.
You might say:
“What if every time you got off screens, you had something you always did next? Then you wouldn’t have to figure out what to do or immediately feel bored. My friend’s kids always read Calvin and Hobbes. What would work for you? We could try something for a week and see.”
It could be a comic book. A snack. Shooting hoops. Music. Playing with the dog. Ten minutes of Lego. In my house, we play Wordle together to ease the transition. Choose anything that helps bridge the gap between the screen world and the rest of life.
Sometimes making screen limits easier isn’t about getting better at taking the screen away, but about making the transition back to reality a little easier.
Tip #2: Take Some Pressure Off the Plate
Have you ever :negotiated over one bite of broccoli, made a separate meal for your kid, worried that he subsists on six foods, or wondered how much you should care about any of this…
If so, this one’s for you.
Feeding our boys can be one of the hardest parts of parenting them. Beyond getting them to eat a decent dinner, we’re raising them to someday be responsible for feeding themselves. That’s a lot of responsibility.
That’s why I invited my colleague and holistic health coach Deena Barselah into the Boy Mom Academy to teach us how to raise boys who feel good about food.
Raising Boys Who Feel Good About Food
Picky Eating and Beyond
Thursday, September 24 @ 12pm Pacific.
Free and open to all
Register Here to Join Us
I hope to see you there, and let me know if you choose a transition activity for the post-screen time blues. I’m so curious!
Rachel