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! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of digital minimalism. I’m joined by Jennie Crooks, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in anxiety and OCD and the founder of the West Coast Anxiety Clinic, to explore the benefits of decluttering our physical spaces and digital lives.

Here’s a summary of what we discussed:

Anxiety's connection to smartphone use for avoidance and comfort
Impact of phone distractions on anxiety
Navigating autopilot behaviors and device distraction
A 30-day challenge to shift from autopilot to mindful awareness
Exploring beliefs and challenges related to phone dependency and social media use
Balancing teaching, sharing, and setting boundaries with social media
Getting caught in autopilot habits

To connect with Jennie, visit her website westcoastanxiety.com and follow her on Instagram @becomingjennie.

Resources:

Look Up: A 30-Day Path to Digital Minimalism and Real Life Maximalism

Before the challenge, take the Quizlet to assess phone dependency or addiction and test your beliefs.

Remember, practicing digital minimalism with grace and compassion means taking intentional steps to create space for what truly matters, so you can be more present for your family.

Laura Froyen, PhD

Laura Froyen, PhD

Balanced Parent Podcast

Laura Froyen, PhD

Welcome to the home of The Balanced Parent Podcast!

Episode 211: How to Practice Digital Minimalism with Grace and Compassion with Jennie Crooks