Parent Resources

14

Apr

Episode 11: Creating Analog Adventures

It's one thing to know my kid's had too much tech, it's entirely another to know what I can do about it! In the episode we talk about this idea of analog adventures - real world experiences that encourage their gifts, interests, and passions. God has uniquely designed each of our kids to love different activities, and ...

13

Apr

Movement vs. Action

"Never mistake movement for action." -Ernest Hemingway There’s a big difference between movement and action. Movement is just motion for the sake of motion. Action means we pick a course and stick to it. While the old adage is true that it’s easier to steer a moving ship, it doesn’t justify sailing the wrong ...

08

Apr

Is My Child’s Tech Use Healthy? (RESET #1)

How do I know if my child's tech use is healthy? We can actually know fairly quickly. We start by asking a simple question: Does their tech use get in the way of their relationships and responsibilities? I've talked previously about how there are really two types of tech: Tool Tech and Drool Tech. Today we're ...

07

Apr

Episode 10: Tech Wins

It's been three weeks - how is it going?  I know in our house, Pre Covid, the kids watched minimal TV. In Covid times, Miss Frizzle comes on once/day to teach science—and even that tiny change means my 6 year old will start asking at 8 am “When’s it show time?”. And I think I'm losing my mind. So today's episo...

06

Apr

Let’s Reclaim Play

“Play doesn’t just help us to explore what is essential. It is essential in and of itself.” -Greg McKeown We need to reclaim play. When we talk about technology, and especially about healthy tech, we must combat the idea that we’re somehow at war with play and fun. In fact, exactly the opposite is true: Hea...

31

Mar

The Importance of Boredom

I think the last two weeks of quarantine have taught me a valuable lesson - I’m terrible at being bored. How about you? It doesn’t take much down time for me to begin thinking back with fondness on tedious activities done outside the house - suddenly a trip with the kids to Costco feels like a vacation I’ve been ...

30

Mar

Game Review: Animal Crossing – New Horizons

Grade: Play It (but watch for tech health - RESET) Platforms: Nintendo Switch Rated: E for Everyone. Gospel Connection. Animal Crossing: New Horizons gives us a great opportunity to talk with our children about why we game and the proper place of games in our lives. We can model gospel-centered questions lik...

25

Mar

Game Review: Doom Eternal

Grade: Skip it. Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Rated: 17+ Mature for Blood, Gore, and Intense Violence. The Gospel Reminder: DOOM Eternal is exactly what we should expect from a game in the DOOM franchise. If your child wants to play this game it's a great opportunity to talk through...

24

Mar

Episode 8: Creating Rhythms of Intentional Tech Freedom

Anna is back! In this episode we address the concept of creating tech free rhythms in our lives. We first came across this idea in Andy Crouch’s book The Tech Wise Family a few years ago—if you haven’t read, it’s a must read. It is equal parts challenging/convicting on how we use tech and encouraging with some ...

17

Mar

Episode 7: Four Encouragements Amidst the Covid 19 Pandemic

As I'm recording this from Washington State new measures are going in on this escalating virus pandemic: No groups larger than 50 can meet (so most churches are down), schools are closed for six weeks, and as of this morning all restaurants are closed for two weeks. We all fear six weeks without plans with our kiddos a...