Parenting Decoded

Summer break intensifies the screen time battle with teens and tweens, but shifting from screen time enforcer to screen time strategist can transform your approach and relationship with your kids. You should head over to the Screenagers [https://www.screenagersmovie.com/] website for the full blog post "Screen Time and Parental Controls: Simple Tips for a Smoother Summer. [https://www.screenagersmovie.com/blog/summer-screen-time-and-parental-controls]" but I'm including a brief synopsis in this podcast to help entice you to do that.  Key Steps for a Smooth Screen Summer: • Trust and verify instead of secretly spying on your children's digital activities • Maintain ongoing conversations about screen time rather than relying solely on parental controls • Show grace and compassion when technology rules are broken • Approach parental controls as experiments to be adjusted, not perfect solutions • Keep all technology out of bedrooms – perhaps the single most effective strategy • Involve kids in setting up guidelines to increase their investment in the process Screenagers has lots of amazing additional resources to help your family navigate the digital world.  Check it out! Email me at info@parentingdecoded.com or go to my website at www.parentingdecoded.com [https://www.parentingwithlogic.com/]. Have a blessed rest of your day!

Parenting Decoded welcomes McCall Gordon to tackle one of parenting’s toughest questions: Why won’t my kid sleep? Her book is aimed at parents of "livewires" — kids who are more alert, intense, and emotionally reactive than average, making traditional sleep advice ineffective. McCall explains that temperament plays a huge role in sleep struggles — some kids just have a harder time winding down. These children are perceptive, persistent, and often lack typical “sleepy cues” like yawning. Instead, they need more support and a customized sleep strategy. She encourages parents to stop blaming themselves. These kids aren’t “bad” sleepers — they’re wired differently. The solution? A gradual, step-by-step approach to bedtime routines, not the cold-turkey methods like “cry it out,” which often backfire for sensitive kids. McCall’s key advice: * Understand your child’s temperament * Taper off bedtime habits gradually * Use consistent patterns at bedtime and during night wakings * Think of it like teaching a child to ride a bike — slowly let go while supporting them She also emphasizes ruling out medical issues for frequent night wakings, especially in infants or kids who snore. The bottom line: You’re not crazy, and it’s not your fault — you just need a different roadmap. Link to the book on Amazon:  Why Won't You Sleep? [https://www.amazon.com/Why-Wont-You-Sleep-Game-Changing-ebook/dp/B0CVZ2R294] Link to the Audible book: Why Won't You Sleep? [https://www.audible.com/pd/Why-Wont-You-Sleep-Audiobook/B0F4GVRRND?qid=1747782904&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=PSC23J5V817CJX1CYZT1&plink=OywNvdhPNxLWzN77&pageLoadId=EhiDAA0bhP9uFQIq&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c] Email me at info@parentingdecoded.com or go to my website at www.parentingdecoded.com [https://www.parentingwithlogic.com/]. Have a blessed rest of your day!

Tackling the age-old parenting challenge of getting kids to do their chores requires a systematic approach rather than nagging or giving up. We explore a six-step process focused on bedroom cleanup that can transform your family's approach to household responsibilities. • Breaking down "clean your room" into specific tasks like making the bed, putting clothes in hamper, and picking up toys • Creating separate lists for daily versus weekly tasks to make expectations more manageable • Letting children choose when they'll complete their chores (morning, evening, specific days for weekly tasks) • Setting up clear consequences tied to things kids value rather than making up punishments in the moment • Working as a team with your children to create the system rather than imposing it on them • Taking a focused approach by solving one area at a time rather than trying to fix all chore problems simultaneously Try this approach with bedrooms first, then apply what works to other areas of your home. Remember we're experimenting together with our kids to find what works for our unique family. LINK to "Energy Drain Ideas" on Mary's website: ENERGY DRAIN IDEAS [https://www.parentingdecoded.com/energy-drain-ideas.html] Email me at info@parentingdecoded.com or go to my website at www.parentingdecoded.com [https://www.parentingwithlogic.com/]. Have a blessed rest of your day!

In this episode, we tackle the important issue of childhood sexual abuse and how to help prevent it. By educating ourselves as parents, we can provide our children with the tools they need to protect themselves. • Discuss the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse statistics  • Explore the need for children to know proper terminology for body parts  • Encourage open lines of communication about consent and boundaries  Let's work together to change statistics and protect our children. Here is the full article from AAP: https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/aap-tips-for-teaching-children-about-body-boundaries-and-safety Email me at info@parentingdecoded.com or go to my website at www.parentingdecoded.com [https://www.parentingwithlogic.com/]. Have a blessed rest of your day!

Does your child have a problem with what's in their backpack?   You know,  those papers that are wrinkled at the bottom?  Maybe a permission slip?  Or possibly a banana?    Or how about the things that are NOT in their backpack?  Do they forget to put their homework in?  Or maybe their lunch or water bottle?  In this podcast take a new approach! We want it to be THEIR fault in their minds.  It’s ok that there’s a problem, it’s just not ok if they blame others. But, if we touch their backpacks, it IS our fault! I have some rules for you:  RULES FOR PARENTS 1 - Don't empty the backpack 2 - Don't pack the backpack 3 - Don't carry the backpack   Don't get me wrong,  you're welcome to coach a child but THEY need to do the work.  No nagging!  Just ASK if they'd like some suggestions.  Maybe make lists with them about what's supposed to go IN the backpack before school and what comes OUT after school.  Make the lists together, don't just write it all up for them.  If they can't read then use pictures or drawings.        Email me at info@parentingdecoded.com or go to my website at www.parentingdecoded.com [https://www.parentingwithlogic.com/]. Have a blessed rest of your day!