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! This week, we’re turning the focus to screens, technology, and how we can move away from fear-based parenting when it comes to our kids’ digital lives. Because let’s be honest — it’s hard to guide our kids thoughtfully when we’re reacting from worry and anxiety.

I am joined by Erin Walsh, co-founder of the Spark and Stitch Institute, and author of It's Their World: Teen Screens and the Science of Adolescence. Together, we’ll explore how parents can stay grounded, make values-driven decisions around technology, and support our kids in developing healthy, balanced digital habits.

Here are the main points:

Understanding parents’ concerns and the benefits of teen technology use
Balancing screen time with connection and overall well-being
Repairing and adjusting parenting approaches collaboratively
Helping kids manage technology and maintain focus
Supporting emotional regulation after gaming or high-reward activities
Guiding kids through technology transitions effectively
Monitoring technology use while fostering trust and communication

Resources:

It’s Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence

If you’d like to connect with Erin Walsh to learn more about supporting teens’ healthy use of technology, visit sparkandstitchinstitute.com. You can also follow Erin on Instagram @sparkandstitch and Facebook @sparkandstitchinstitute.

Laura Froyen, PhD

Laura Froyen, PhD

Balanced Parent Podcast

Laura Froyen, PhD

Welcome to the home of The Balanced Parent Podcast!

Episode 246: Help Teens Build Healthy and Balanced Technology Habits with Erin Walsh