“Is technology bringing my family together or pushing my family apart?”

Technology is such an integral part of society that it can worm its way into our lives without much notice - but if we really ponder this question, are we content with our answer? Today, Jim welcomes Dr. Alice Benton back to the show with an insightful Q&A all about our digital use as families. Dr. Alice is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in Parent Support & Training, Health & Wellness, and Trauma Recovery. Throughout this conversation, Jim poses some of the most common questions parents have about screen use.

Special Note:

Check out the timestamps below for specific questions asked, and be sure to contact HomeWord if you have a question you want answered on the show!

Questions in this Episode:

[6:53] What do I do when my child says ‘I’m the ONLY one who doesn’t have a smartphone!’?

[8:47] When does screen time become harmful to kids?

[11:00] How do you find the compromise on-screen use when one parent is a screen-enabler and one is a screen-limiter?

[13:08] What do you say to the single mom/single parent who is trying to implement screen boundaries and their ex is going against or ignoring those boundaries?

[17:28] What do you think about GPS monitoring on a child’s phone/device?

[19:28] What do you do when a child is addicted to their screen?

[23:52] What do you do when your child is caught looking at porn?

[26:44] “My spouse is addicted to porn. What do I do?”

Listen to Jim’s first episode with Dr. Alice Benton here: Episode 9: Daily Conversations for Screen Management

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

HomeWord Voice Line: 949-485-3905

Send HomeWord a question: info@homeword.com

Dr. Alice Benton Website: https://dralicebenton.com/

New Life Live: https://newlife.com/broadcasts/

Daily Conversations for Screen Management Course: https://dr-alice-benton-university.teachable.com/p/digital-parenting-daily-conversations

Digital Parenting Conversations Course: https://dralicebenton.com/digitallybalancedparenting

Books:

Understanding and Loving Your Children in a Screen-Saturated World: https://a.co/d/8bO4XzJ

For those of us with teens on the verge of leaving for college, it’s understandable that our prayer for them is that they will stand strong in their faith once out of our sight. We hope they will keep and honor the values they were raised with - but what if they don’t? Today, Jim welcomes Sean McDowell to discuss his book, Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith. Sean, a prolific author, gifted speaker, and Associate Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University is used to hearing from young people about their faith, or loss thereof - but he also isn’t losing hope. Listen in as Jim and Sean discuss how we can support our kids in this scenario and why we shouldn’t fear “deconstruction”...because the potential for their return with an even stronger faith is bright.

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

Sean McDowell Website: https://seanmcdowell.org/

Sean McDowell on Twitter: https://x.com/Sean_McDowell

Books Mentioned:

Set Adrift: https://seanmcdowell.org/item/set-adrift

More Than A Carpenter: https://seanmcdowell.org/item/more-than-a-carpenter

UNChristian: https://a.co/d/cc48Or3

Barna Group | GEN Z: Vol. 3: https://shop.barna.com/products/gen-z-volume-3

You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving The Church…And Rethinking Faith: https://a.co/d/30cf70O

Handing Down The Faith: https://a.co/d/6Xs3FUz

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘discipline’? Depending on how you were raised, that word can bring up all kinds of memories and emotions! Too often the word discipline is synonymous with punishment but are they actually the same thing? Today, Jim welcomes Embracing Your Season podcast host and licensed mental health counselor Paige Clingenpeel back to the show to discuss the nuance of discipline as discipleship and how, when done well, it helps to build character in our kids, take pride in responsibility and learn to make wiser choices as they mature. Full of powerful pep-talk moments from Paige, this is just the episode parents need to start the new year strong!

Jim’s Points on Discipline and Grace:

REMEMBER: You’re not trying to raise obedient kids - you’re trying to raise kids who will become responsible adults.

• Rules without relationship equal rebellion.
  • Don’t be too rigid and remember that relationship matters!
• Choose your battles wisely.
  • You’re the parent, the authority - you win the battle with leadership and empathy. Nagging and negativity don’t work!
• Clearly express your expectations.

To be clear is to be kind! Believe it or not, your kids want to obey you.

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

Paige Clingenpeel Website: https://www.paigeclingenpeel.com/

Embracing Your Season Podcast: https://www.paigeclingenpeel.com/embracing-your-season-podcast

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord