News Reel 2

Almost everyone seems to have a technology goal for 2020 and for a lot of parents it is to be on their devices less and be engaged in parenting more. Screenagers recently published the following article to help encourage parents to be more mindful of parenting while distracted on a device. Last night I felt a serious pang of remorse. My son Chase called me from college. Frankly, I assumed it was a quick check-in or perhaps an ask of some sort. I was editing footage at the time, and well I kept editing while we talked. Over the course of the call, I realized he had called to really have a solid conversation. But by the time I realized it the call was soon ending. When we hung up, I had a pit in my stomach. I realized I was only half listening. And, on top of that, it was pretty obvious I was not fully present by the tone of my voice, the cadence of my responses. It [...]

It's a magical time of year and shopping is in full swing. Tech gifts are always popular - but what else could we fill stockings with? Screenagers shared the following article with some non-tech gift ideas. This time of year, everyone is busy running around trying to find the perfect gift. What people don’t realize is you often don’t need to go to a store to find it. Giving experiences can have a longer-lasting and greater impact than giving the latest toy, gadget, or piece of clothing. Experiences promote connectivity, togetherness, and lifetime memories, whereas, the latest and greatest thing has a shelf life, which is usually six months to a year until the next greatest thing comes out.  The gift of spending time with your kids and other loved ones is one of my favorite things to give, especially when it involves laughter. We have a little improv theater near our house, and I am going to give three tickets to the theater for each of my teens so [...]

The holidays are in full swing, which bring both happiness and occasionally stress and anxiety. The Help Group's Advance LA work gives advice on how to reduce holiday stress below.November brings the start of holiday fun and excitement! But despite the joys of the season, many people find themselves feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by the holiday season’s extra activities, social and familial demands, and general stress.Most of us try to load up our already busy schedules while worrying about attending to our normal duties. With all of these higher expectations on us, it is easy to feel robbed of what should be a holiday season filled with joy, love, and wonder. So what to do?Here are some strategies for decreasing feelings of holiday stress and increasing your enjoyment of the holiday season:1. Practice Planning And Organizational Skills:Create a to-do list: The phrase, “ink it when you think it” is a great motto. Write down the thoughts that are causing you stress so you can review them at a later time when [...]

With Halloween just around the corner we wanted to remind everyone of safety tips. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). ALL DRESSED UP: Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility. Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly so they don't slide over eyes. Makeup should be tested ahead of time on a small patch of skin to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises on the big day. When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant. If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these [...]

Technology is used on younger and younger kids these days. But what is the long term impact? In the article below, Cris Rowan a pediatric occupational therapist, biologist, international speaker and author of “Virtual Child – The terrifying truth about what technology is doing to children”, explores the effects and what we should do to as parents. If you have a loved one struggling with managing screen time, please contact Tamara Ancona, MA, LPC at (678) 297-0708 for an evaluation, and to discuss the best treatment options available. Screen Tips for Tots is the first of a research referenced series on the impact of screen technologies on child body and brain development. Written by Cris Rowan, pediatric occupational therapist, biologist, international speaker and author of the book “Virtual Child”, Screen Tips will provide parents, educators and clinicians with research evidence which supports regulated and graduated use of screen technologies with children. Foundations for optimizing body and brain development across the age span from 0-18 years are discussed to help readers best understand the [...]

With the use of technology and our connections on social media are we more connected or are we lonelier than ever? Screenagers is exploring this idea and how we can connect better with our teens: Are our teens lonelier now more than ever? Do they feel social on social media but in reality, some deeper need is not being met? There is some evidence this might be so. But it is not inevitable. There are ways to help our kids through this. Emotions give us information about our experience in the present moment. In the best case scenario, they are a buzzer that activates us to make a change. For instance, if we have a sense that we are missing the company of others—i.e. the sensation of loneliness–it is a signal to try to do something at that moment to lessen that unpleasant feeling. It is important that we talk to our kids about these feelings and discuss ways they can gain skills to manage them when they inevitably arise–and also assure [...]