A Lil Help with Boys and Screens :: David Thomas [Bonus]

Don't Mom Alone Podcast

02/26/21

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10m

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David Thomas and I talked for SOOOO long in our interview because he's the BEST. The last part of our convo was specific to handling screen time with boys. The DMA team figured we could shorten the main episode by releasing this part separately. Of course, David and I did not cover every angle of managing technology (people write whole books on that topic). But I hope it helps you feel less alone in the struggle and empowered to do a few things:

Create a Family Media Plan (or at least use the media calculator)--see links below
Discuss what creative things your family has done outside of screen time. After reminiscing, brainstorm new ideas.
Ask your son about one of his favorite video games. Perhaps sit down and play one with him. Let me know how it goes.

Links:

AAP family media time calculator and Media Plan
Among Us game
Mafia group game
Fortnite
Roblox
List of Movie Recs by Raising Boys and Girls (a page on my site, not on IG for you non-Instagram peeps)
Time and Space for Flourishing in a Tech World :: Andy Crouch [Ep 208]

Previous Episode

Understanding Boys Better :: David Thomas [Ep 315]

February 22, 2021

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64m

Understanding the emotions of boys is a challenge no matter the age. Anxiety that presents as anger or distraction. Depression shows up as low-grade irritability. David Thomas returns to the show to answer listener questions about all things boy.

David is a family therapist and director at DayStar Counseling Center in Nashville. He has lots of experience counseling families and children and has a set of twin boys himself. We talk about teaching our sons about emotional language, going to counseling, helping sibling relationships, and managing boy energy levels.

“I think we need to be clear with boys. I think it's always helpful to use concrete language with them. When we're concise, clear, and concrete, those are kind of three rules of thumb, we can consistently be adopting. The mistake that I think we can make is we kind of soft pedal and dance around things.”

If you are a parent of boys, this is an episode for you! Watch for a bonus episode coming out later this week too.

Connect with David:

Website: raisingboysandgirls.com
Facebook: facebook.com/raisingboysandgirls
Instagram: @raisingboysandgirls

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsors:

FabFitFun —use coupon code DMA10 for $10 off your first box at www.FabFitFun.com
Function of Beauty — Go to functionofbeauty.com/DMA to take your quiz and save 20% off your order.

Next Episode

Bruce Learns to Label His Feelings :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 316]

March 1, 2021

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42m

“What’s something you’ve grown in but at different speeds?”. After collecting listener questions, this question stood out to my husband Bruce. So instead of doing a general Q and A episode (in honor of our 22nd wedding anniversary), we decided to discuss Bruce’s journey in learning how to identify what he is feeling, labeling it and sharing it with others.

Listen to how we learned to process our feelings through church small group. And how we’ve grown as a couple to express those emotions in a healthy way.

“I think a common theme through all of this is just having a really constructive, clear language to talk about things. It is not like any one of these methods solves things. It's not a formula. The more precise and constructive and simple we make this language, the more effective communication can be.”

Here are the cards we reference in the show (see website show notes).

More Episodes with Bruce:

Links Mentioned: