Listen to Screen Less Play More on Apple podcasts

Kat Zilka was a high school teacher who realized that her students were in a real mental health crisis. She asked her students to write an essay about their relationship to their phones, and was shocked to read their confessions. “Honestly, if you were to read the essays and insert another substance, like alcohol or drugs into, in place of the phone or in place of social media, it would have been addicts crying for help.” She tells us all about it in Episode 1.

Episode two is a fantastic conversation with Erin Loechner, author of “The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can’t.” Erin teaches us how to be more engaging than the algorithm! She has tons of great ideas on how to use the tricks of big tech in a low-tech way to bring your family some fun, connection, and meaning.

Episode 3 helps us answer the question “What’s the best way for students to prep for the SAT?”
This episode should not be missed if you have a child in middle school or high school. Charlotte Winters has been an SAT tutor for 15 years, and teaches us that SAT prep isn’t as difficult or complicated as we think it is. Our talk explores the differences between the SAT and ACT, the significance of the PSAT, and how parents can…

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Kids books that promote imagination and play

“I’m borrrrrred!” screams your little princess. Quick! Grab these books!!! Not only will you and your child gain the benefits of reading together, but she will be inspired to delve into imaginative play that will nourish her mind, and give you a moment to fish the Legos from the toilet that just “mysteriously appeared.”
The landmark Becoming a Nation of Readers report from 1985 concluded that “the single most important activity for building knowledge for their eventual success in reading is…

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Hunt Gather Parent by Michaleen Doucleff is a game changer.

So you’re telling me that I’m supposed to parent like “Mister Rogers, stoned.”??? Go on…..

Author Michaleen Doucleff studied three ancient cultures whose children are still happy and helpful, and boiled it down to two important things:

Let your children help.

Don’t yell at your children.

And yes, she says you need to transform all of that bedtime rage into your best impression of our favorite PBS host, on weed…

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BAM Bad Ass Moms with Lori and Jenny podcast logo

Once upon a time I found a thank-you note from Tom Cruise on the Xerox machine at work. Listen to my interview on “BAM Bad Ass Moms” to hear the story, plus strategies for managing your kids’ screen time, and how to encourage creativity and outdoor…

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Barbie and Ken love to play!

Date ideas are everywhere. But not all are created equal.
The classic dinner date is overrated. Plus, you always devolve into discussing the tee-ball schedule, your mother-in-law’s antics, and how your spouse didn’t put sunblock on the dog.
Scientists tell us “Play activates the reward centers of the brain, floods the rest of the brain with feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin and triggers the release of powerful neural growth factors that promote…

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Hikes are great for screen free Sunday!

I am not by ANY means suggesting that you go white-knuckle, COVID-lockdown-style and just wake up on a Sunday with no plans and tell your screen fans to “go play.” That, my friends, is a recipe for a trainwreck crashing into a dumpster fire. 
Start small.
You’re not doing this as punishment. You’re doing this for the benefits. And after a few weeks, I promise you’ll crave your Sundays.

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Kids books for Halloween

Fall is here! It’s time to cuddle up with your favorite kiddos and read some fun not-so-spooky stories. Here’s our list of Top 5 Halloween books to read with your kids!

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screen time health habits, screen time and sleep quality, reduce kids screen time

You say: I don’t cook… I don’t have a partner….My kids won’t sit still! Worry not, I’ve got you covered!

Because what else can you do in 30 minutes per day that will improve your kids cardiovascular health, increase self-esteem, improve academic performance, reduce risk of substance abuse, depression, obesity, and teen pregnancy? Nothing I know of!

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benefits of less screen time for kids, reduce kids screen time, reduce screen exposure

Doing the same thing again and again? It’s stored as only one memory!
“Our brain is trying to preserve energy when it can. And what we know is that if any memory is similar, it is stored as one memory in our head when we look back at things,” says Dr. Mike Rucker Ph.D on the 1000 Hours Outside podcast.

Did I read that right!? If you do the same thing again and again you’ll save only ONE memory of that activity…

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