Every aspect of our life is now impacted by technology, and this trend is only growing. However, there are substantial concerns connected with the rising use of technology, one of them being the harmful consequences it has on mental health. Screen time and social media use among kids and teens have been connected to a rise in the prevalence of mental health issues and has shown to have an impact on social skills and development. The overuse of screens can also reduce opportunities for face-to-face interactions with family and friends. Here are some tips on how to monitor and limit your child’s use of technology: Keep an open dialogue. Talk to your child about technology, especially online safety. Communicate with your child the reasons behind limiting screen time and why it is crucial. Set screen time limits. Set a time for how long your child can be on his/her screen. Encourage non-screen activities such as playtime and being outdoors. Establish screen time curfews, such as no exposure to electronic devices or screens one hour before bedtime. Monitor screen time. Give your child a list of websites that are safe to visit. Create technology-free zones/times. Consider allocating spaces or rooms in the house for activities that do not involve electronics. Moreover, technology-free times may include dinner, in the car, school nights, and family outings. Know your children’s friends, both online and offline. Be aware of the devices your child uses, the games they play, the websites they visit, and the people they communicate with. Be a good role model to your child and set limits for yourself when it comes to screen time. Children mimic their parents' behavior, and this is also true of how they use technology. Keep your child’s bedroom free from electronic devices. Consider having your child charge their electronic devices outside of their bedroom. In addition to getting less sleep, children who have access to electronic devices in their bedrooms are more likely to use them. Click here for additional resources.

February 6, 2025 By Jessica Chamoun, Intervention Specialist Traveling for work or other reasons has become a normal part of our everyday lives. Many working parents today travel because of work demands or family commitments. As such, being away from our children for a certain period of time may be common and inevitable. Children may react to their parents' absence by experiencing some anxiety, clinginess, or by feeling sad or angry. Such emotions are typical, and a parent's brief departure gives kids the ideal chance to practice adjusting to separations. Here are some tips on how to help your child cope when you travel: Inform your child about your travel plans at the appropriate time. Using shorter time frames when informing children about your traveling plans can be helpful so that they worry less. Check- in with your child when you are away. Stay in touch with your child every day. If you are gone for several days, scheduling a daily phone call or video call as a part of your travel routine can be beneficial. Stick to Routines. Try to maintain family routines and be creative with long distance family time (for example: using technology to read a bedtime story to your child when you are away). Make an itinerary and give your child details. Use a fun colorful calendar to mark events such as your departure date, return date, and check in times. Provide children with visuals (such as pictures or a map) to give them transparency about your plans and about where you will be. Leave them notes. Leave your child notes in places they least expect (such as their lunch box or backpack) as a way to stay connected. Discuss feelings. Keep the lines of communication open and let your child know that it's appropriate to express their emotions. Normalize their feelings and reassure them that you will be back soon. Encourage social interaction. Arrange playdates with friends or family to help your child cope with your absence and keep busy. Arrange for some quality time together to catch up. Make your reunion a special one. Plan an activity or a fun outing you and your child can do together when you return. Include them in the decision- making process, so they have something to look forward to upon your return. Click here for additional resources.