Parenting T(w)eens in the Digital Age

Screens are everywhere and you’re tired of feeling like you have to “police” screen time every day.

You worry that your kids are missing out on the kinds of  “real” moments that you had growing up—bike rides, tree-climbing, or dialing a landline to ask if a friend could come over.   

But at the same time, you’re exhausted from constantly enforcing screen rules.

You have this nagging sense of dread every time you read the latest scary headline about kids and tech.

But at the same time, you hear that if they don’t learn to use all the latest apps, they’ll never have a chance in today’s society.

So you can’t decide if your tween’s TikTok obsession is harmless fun or setting them up for disaster. 

You mediate endless arguments about screens. Yet, as the conscientious loving parent you know you are, you feel like you have to be constantly micromanaging what they’re doing online. Oh, and let’s not forget life itself—you can’t monitor every app and notification while also remembering soccer practice, laundry, and that PTA meeting you may or may not have RSVP’d for.  

You want to set boundaries, but you’re not even sure which ones make sense anymore, let alone have the time or the energy to keep it up. 

You’re confused. You’re tired. You’re overwhelmed.

It might help you to know that…

You tried time limit apps, but your kids are pros at bypassing those limits faster than you can Google “parental controls.”  

You’ve tried setting strict house rules, you’ve tried bans, you’ve even tried no rules. None of it feels right and none of it sticks. 

Because even you got caught up in the inevitable curveballs and gray areas (is FaceTiming the grandparents screen time or “family bonding”? What about homework on the laptop?). And while you tried to be consistent, that’s easier said than done when the dishwasher just exploded.

And so when your kids rebelled because they didn’t feel heard, you no longer even felt so confident about what it was you were trying to do in the first place. 

This is hard. You’re not crazy and you’re not failing. And you’re also not alone.

The solution is not about doing more. It’s about doing things differently—together.

You dream of a home where screens are *just one part* of your family’s life—not the constant source of stress and conflict.  

Wouldn’t it be great if you could count on:

• Teamwork instead of constant arguments and endless negotiations
• Balance that allows you to hold on to off screen experiences while also preparing kids for today’s world
• Clarity in knowing what’s actually worth worrying about (and how to safeguard against the potential dangers)
• And confidence in both what you do and what you don’t do with tech and the boundaries you set.

Sure, I have professional training (a PhD in developmental psychology and 20+ years working with families). But, as a parent myself, I see personally how difficult it is to fit every parent, every child, and every situation into a neat little “research says…” package. 

With me you’ll get:

• Support without judgment. There’s no “right way” to parent
• Practical approach. My guidance comes from a deep knowledge base, but is also rooted in sanity – so it’s matter of fact and focused on what will actually help
• Transferable tools – Start with discovering new frameworks for assessing your relationship with screens. But importantly, you’ll gain the confidence to do the same with your kids. 
• Actionable steps. We’ll break down big goals into specific, small, and achievable changes
• A collaborator. I’ll give you personalized feedback and help you build a solution tailored to your unique family dynamics.

 In our 5 weeks of one-on-one work, we’ll explore:

• Review foundational parenting and how it relates to tech
• Your family’s north star assessment to identify your ultimate values and goals
• Realistic assessment of risks and potential dangers to decrease anxiety and find a place of sanity
• Tools to assess your family’s relationship with tech to help you orient and find purpose 
• What to watch out for, warning signs and red flags that could indicate more serious problems – in other words, how to identify and scale if your kid’s tech use is problematic
• How to talk to your kids about your family’s use of tech and concrete tools for getting them involved in finding solutions
• Problem solving and troubleshooting for when, inevitably, things don’t go exactly according to plan 

Week 1:

Get grounded. Explore what issues are okay to let go of and what deserves extra attention. Because it’s all about being practical: we can’t act rationally and effectively when we’re lost in knee-jerk reactions of fear, guilt, or anxiety.  

Weeks 2-4:

Get specific. Dig into the specific issues that keep you up at night and discover solutions for connecting, setting boundaries, and creating a relationship with tech that works for you and your kids.

Week 5:

Get real. We’ve all been there: We learn some new skills and we have the best of intentions for putting them into practice. Until we actually try it with our kids and everything falls apart. The last week is scheduled a few weeks after session 4 just for celebrating what’s working, and most importantly, troubleshooting what isn’t. You’ll bring back what you’ve tried and how it went and I’ll guide you in adjusting where necessary. And finally, we’ll put the finishing touches on a media mission statement to edit and adjust with your kids. 

This isn’t about guilt trips, fear tactics, or blind acceptance. No rigid rules, scary tech apocalypse panics, or unconditional open arms. Together, we’ll build a **balanced, customized approach** that fits your family’s needs and values. 

Total time commitment: 45 minutes per week for 5 weeks

Because parenting is hard enough; Let’s make this part a bit easier.

Q: Is this for parents of kids of all ages? 

A: This particular program works best for parents of kids who already use screens independently and autonomously (or somewhat autonomously). In other words, kids who are using devices sometimes (or most of the time) completely on their own. That usually works out to parents of tweens or teens. 

Q: Do you offer a step-by-step formula?  

A: I don’t believe in rigid formulas. Instead, you’ll receive a **flexible framework** that adapts to your family’s evolving needs.  

Q: What if I want quick, strict fixes?

A: This program isn’t for you if you expect perfection or instant results. It’s about building **lasting solutions**—not overnight change.

Q: Will I need to ban screens? Or will you tell me to just let go and fully embrace screens?  

A: Nope – neither one. Unless you’ve got a private off-the-grid island, banning screens isn’t realistic. And just diving in and allowing screens without boundaries is not ideal either. We’ll focus on balance instead.

Q: What if I’ve tried everything? 

A: You might feel that way, but often what’s missing is collaboration and clarity. We’ll build a system your family can commit to—and stick with.