Thank you for shining your light on these critical conversations of our age.
There’s so much to unpack here, but here are some reflections from my end:
Emotional regulation must be modeled and taught.
Let children them be bored. We must resist the urge to fill every moment. Boredom is the gateway to imagination, creativity, and problem-solving. I often remind myself that giving my children the gift of "nothing to do" is one of the best ways to help their inner world come alive.
Start where you are — and start early. If you’ve got toddlers, you’re in for a party. But if you’re parenting teens, all hope is not lost. The brain’s incredible neuroplasticity means we can unlearn and relearn and so can our children. It’s never too late to begin again.
Real life happens in real relationships. Get them into social circles. Prioritize conversations after screen time. After a movie, after a game, ask them what they noticed, what they felt, what they’d do differently. Help them process, not just consume.
Tech boundaries aren’t about restriction — they’re about intention. In our home, no smartphones until 18. And yes, we’re that family where two classmates already have phones, but our kids understand the why behind our decision. We’ve made social media something they must earn by showing what value they’re ready to contribute, not just what content they want to scroll.
Yes, parenting isn’t easy, but it is possible. Especially when we start early, stay curious, and hold the long view.
You NAILED it... " to understand the WHY behind our decision." If the rest of culture would understand and engage/dialog that way, we would solve about 90% of the world's problems. (even if we don't like the answers/solutions) As Jack Johnson sang, "There's puzzle pieces in the ground, but nobody seems to be digging." In his profundity, I think he used a gardening metaphor here, because of the ROOTS. That is where the WHY questions are answered (and metaphysically, where LOVE is exposed). Not the surface statements or understandings, but the deep rich discoveries below the surface. You made my afternoon.
"Puzzle pieces in the ground, but nobody seems to be digging”—that’s going to sit with me for a while."😊 And yes, it’s easy to react to what’s on the surface, but so much clarity and healing live below—where it’s quieter, slower, more uncomfortable even. But also, truer.
Later in life, anyone can choose their own path forward. Some will dive deeper into online and virtual. Others will feel that something is missing and go outside. Humans are super adaptable and can re-learn later on how to function in a different environment.
After all, us Gen-X'ers are on here now, aren't we? Most of us are adapting to this new world.
This is not any different than the brain changes that occurred when we went from hunter-gatherers to the industrial revolution.
From an AI search:
Hunter-Gatherer Societies: Humans lived as hunter-gatherers, relying on foraging for food and migrating to follow resources. This lifestyle was characterized by small, mobile groups and a relatively simple social structure.
The Neolithic Revolution: This period marked a pivotal shift towards agriculture and settled life. The domestication of plants and animals allowed for a more stable food supply and the ability to support larger populations. This led to the development of villages, towns, and eventually, cities.
Development of Civilizations: With increased food production and settled communities, civilizations began to emerge. This included the development of social hierarchies, complex institutions, and specialization of labor.
The Industrial Revolution: This period, starting in the late 18th century, brought about dramatic changes in technology and society. The use of machinery and mass production led to a shift from rural, agricultural economies to urban, industrial ones.
Further Developments: The Industrial Revolution continued to shape society with innovations like electricity, the automobile, and advancements in communication and transportation. These developments further transformed the way humans lived, worked, and interacted with each other.
I realize that this is just AI-generated, but it proves the point. We, as humans, are constantly evolving. The introduction of technology impacted our evolution for better or worse. But this does not mean we can't change the trajectory of our relationships. It is all about intention.
David,
Thank you for shining your light on these critical conversations of our age.
There’s so much to unpack here, but here are some reflections from my end:
Emotional regulation must be modeled and taught.
Let children them be bored. We must resist the urge to fill every moment. Boredom is the gateway to imagination, creativity, and problem-solving. I often remind myself that giving my children the gift of "nothing to do" is one of the best ways to help their inner world come alive.
Start where you are — and start early. If you’ve got toddlers, you’re in for a party. But if you’re parenting teens, all hope is not lost. The brain’s incredible neuroplasticity means we can unlearn and relearn and so can our children. It’s never too late to begin again.
Real life happens in real relationships. Get them into social circles. Prioritize conversations after screen time. After a movie, after a game, ask them what they noticed, what they felt, what they’d do differently. Help them process, not just consume.
Tech boundaries aren’t about restriction — they’re about intention. In our home, no smartphones until 18. And yes, we’re that family where two classmates already have phones, but our kids understand the why behind our decision. We’ve made social media something they must earn by showing what value they’re ready to contribute, not just what content they want to scroll.
Yes, parenting isn’t easy, but it is possible. Especially when we start early, stay curious, and hold the long view.
Thank you again, David. We need more of this.
You NAILED it... " to understand the WHY behind our decision." If the rest of culture would understand and engage/dialog that way, we would solve about 90% of the world's problems. (even if we don't like the answers/solutions) As Jack Johnson sang, "There's puzzle pieces in the ground, but nobody seems to be digging." In his profundity, I think he used a gardening metaphor here, because of the ROOTS. That is where the WHY questions are answered (and metaphysically, where LOVE is exposed). Not the surface statements or understandings, but the deep rich discoveries below the surface. You made my afternoon.
"Puzzle pieces in the ground, but nobody seems to be digging”—that’s going to sit with me for a while."😊 And yes, it’s easy to react to what’s on the surface, but so much clarity and healing live below—where it’s quieter, slower, more uncomfortable even. But also, truer.
My initial thought is that this is all terrible.
But.
Later in life, anyone can choose their own path forward. Some will dive deeper into online and virtual. Others will feel that something is missing and go outside. Humans are super adaptable and can re-learn later on how to function in a different environment.
After all, us Gen-X'ers are on here now, aren't we? Most of us are adapting to this new world.
This is not any different than the brain changes that occurred when we went from hunter-gatherers to the industrial revolution.
From an AI search:
Hunter-Gatherer Societies: Humans lived as hunter-gatherers, relying on foraging for food and migrating to follow resources. This lifestyle was characterized by small, mobile groups and a relatively simple social structure.
The Neolithic Revolution: This period marked a pivotal shift towards agriculture and settled life. The domestication of plants and animals allowed for a more stable food supply and the ability to support larger populations. This led to the development of villages, towns, and eventually, cities.
Development of Civilizations: With increased food production and settled communities, civilizations began to emerge. This included the development of social hierarchies, complex institutions, and specialization of labor.
The Industrial Revolution: This period, starting in the late 18th century, brought about dramatic changes in technology and society. The use of machinery and mass production led to a shift from rural, agricultural economies to urban, industrial ones.
Further Developments: The Industrial Revolution continued to shape society with innovations like electricity, the automobile, and advancements in communication and transportation. These developments further transformed the way humans lived, worked, and interacted with each other.
I realize that this is just AI-generated, but it proves the point. We, as humans, are constantly evolving. The introduction of technology impacted our evolution for better or worse. But this does not mean we can't change the trajectory of our relationships. It is all about intention.