Welcome to the home of The Balanced Parent Podcast!

Parenting is often lived in the extremes. It's either Great Joy or chaotic overwhelmed. In one moment you’re nailing it and the next you're losing your cool I want to help you find your way to the messy middle, to a place of balance. You see, balance is a verb not a state of being. it is a thing you do not a thing you are. it is an action a process a series of micro-corrections each and every day to keep ourselves feeling centered. We are never truly balanced. We are engaged in the process of balancing.

Hello, I’m Dr. Laura Froyen and this is the Balanced Parent podcast, where overwhelmed stressed out and disconnected parents go to find tools, mindset shifts and practices to help them stop yelling at the people they love and start connecting on a deeper level, all delivered with heaping doses of grace and compassion. Join me in conversations that will help you get clear on your goals and values and start showing up in your parenting, your relationships, YOUR LIFE, with open-hearted authenticity and balance. Let’s go!

Welcome to another episode of The Balanced Parent Podcast. Today, I am joined by Autumn McKay, a former teacher and mother of three. She shares her journey balancing motherhood, family activities, and minimizing screen time for her children. Drawing from her background in Early Childhood Education, Autumn discusses practical ways to engage kids in screen-free, enriching activities.

Here are some of the topics we covered in this episode:

The impact of screen time on both children’s behavior and parents’ attention
Shared experience of parents navigating new technology and its effects on family dynamics
Identifying signals that indicate a need for self-reflection and reevaluation of one’s behavior or habits
Finding balance in managing screen time and responsibilities while being a positive role model for children
Technology's benefits and concerns regarding children's screen use and their ability to connect with peers culturally.
Reflecting on video game experiences and the benefits of reduced screen time
Balancing screen time with outdoor play for diverse childhood experiences
Intentional technology use and fostering creativity when screen time limits
Balancing screen time with hands-on activities to foster family connection

To learn more about Autumn McKay, visit her website at BestMomIdeas.com, Facebook @bestmomideas, and on Instagram @bestmomideas.

Tune in for Autumn’s insights on fostering intentional family interactions without screens and discover practical ways to create a balanced home environment.

I would love to hear from you! If you have any questions you’d like to have answered on the podcast or any takeaways or wins you’d like to share you can leave me a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/laurafroyenphd

Laura Froyen, PhD

Laura Froyen, PhD

Balanced Parent Podcast

Laura Froyen, PhD

Welcome to the home of The Balanced Parent Podcast!

Episode 202: How to Engage Mindfully and Intentionally with Screens and Technology with Autumn McKay