“Pre-commitment” is the term that comes to mind as I sit down to share some summer-fun ideas. In behavioral psychology, pre-commitment is all about doing an action, such as creating a contract with yourself before doing something, to increase the chance you actually do that something.
Why do I bring up that term? It has to do with list-reading vs. list-doing. I think about all the lists I have read over the years on organization tips, arts and craft tips, and so on, and how so often I end up not doing a single one on the list. Can you relate?
Something is soothing about picking up a magazine and reading through the idea, but actually doing one, that’s another story. At times I don’t pick one to do because I feel overwhelmed by the work of making a choice, and sometimes it is the work of doing the suggestion.
I invite you to consider making a mental pre-commitment before you read the list of ideas. Commit to trying one of the things you are about to read. Ok, do you feel committed? (no problem if not, but super cool if you commit this second :)
Before we start, let me say that right now, my biggest advice to parents has been to make sure anxiety is not driving summer planning. One can feel a desire to “make up for lost time” and want to ensure plenty of sports, in-person social, reading, and the list goes on. Let’s keep remembering that “emotions are contagious” and try to prevent anxious feelings from intruding too often. Instead, let’s work to point out the things going right — and celebrate whatever little wins we see this summer.
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Have new people over and do new things.
Inviting over old friends, or people you want to get to know — maybe the parents of some of your kid’s friends, playing this game can be a way to get some good social time in and for your kids to realize we aren’t the only ones with “goofy” traditions. By the way, I am sure that the screen time of my youth, a la the Newlywed game show, inspired this game.
Many other recipes found here use all of a vegetable, such as kale ribs and leek tops. Knowing how to use the tops of carrots when you cook for friends is an excellent party trick.
As an aside, I have long been interested in nutrition and healthy cooking. In fact, this interest is how I found myself at Cornell for college since someone told me they had a good nutrition program. Also, I thought it was a lot closer to New York City than it was :)
We love beekeeping, but clearly, that is a big hobby to start. How about setting out for a couple of bird-watching neighborhood outings? I have been fascinated by the baby crow I see out my window these days, watching it get fed by its mom.
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Mission InspirEd, a student-run nonprofit organization based in Seattle, is looking to hire student blog writers. Authors will need to write blog articles between one-half to one and a half pages long on varying topics regarding education and access to education. For more information, email rishi_sujit@outlook.com.
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“Pre-commitment” is the term that comes to mind as I sit down to share some summer-fun ideas. In behavioral psychology, pre-commitment is all about doing an action, such as creating a contract with yourself before doing something, to increase the chance you actually do that something.
Why do I bring up that term? It has to do with list-reading vs. list-doing. I think about all the lists I have read over the years on organization tips, arts and craft tips, and so on, and how so often I end up not doing a single one on the list. Can you relate?
Something is soothing about picking up a magazine and reading through the idea, but actually doing one, that’s another story. At times I don’t pick one to do because I feel overwhelmed by the work of making a choice, and sometimes it is the work of doing the suggestion.
I invite you to consider making a mental pre-commitment before you read the list of ideas. Commit to trying one of the things you are about to read. Ok, do you feel committed? (no problem if not, but super cool if you commit this second :)
Before we start, let me say that right now, my biggest advice to parents has been to make sure anxiety is not driving summer planning. One can feel a desire to “make up for lost time” and want to ensure plenty of sports, in-person social, reading, and the list goes on. Let’s keep remembering that “emotions are contagious” and try to prevent anxious feelings from intruding too often. Instead, let’s work to point out the things going right — and celebrate whatever little wins we see this summer.
Have new people over and do new things.
Inviting over old friends, or people you want to get to know — maybe the parents of some of your kid’s friends, playing this game can be a way to get some good social time in and for your kids to realize we aren’t the only ones with “goofy” traditions. By the way, I am sure that the screen time of my youth, a la the Newlywed game show, inspired this game.
Many other recipes found here use all of a vegetable, such as kale ribs and leek tops. Knowing how to use the tops of carrots when you cook for friends is an excellent party trick.
As an aside, I have long been interested in nutrition and healthy cooking. In fact, this interest is how I found myself at Cornell for college since someone told me they had a good nutrition program. Also, I thought it was a lot closer to New York City than it was :)
We love beekeeping, but clearly, that is a big hobby to start. How about setting out for a couple of bird-watching neighborhood outings? I have been fascinated by the baby crow I see out my window these days, watching it get fed by its mom.
Mission InspirEd, a student-run nonprofit organization based in Seattle, is looking to hire student blog writers. Authors will need to write blog articles between one-half to one and a half pages long on varying topics regarding education and access to education. For more information, email rishi_sujit@outlook.com.
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“Pre-commitment” is the term that comes to mind as I sit down to share some summer-fun ideas. In behavioral psychology, pre-commitment is all about doing an action, such as creating a contract with yourself before doing something, to increase the chance you actually do that something.
Why do I bring up that term? It has to do with list-reading vs. list-doing. I think about all the lists I have read over the years on organization tips, arts and craft tips, and so on, and how so often I end up not doing a single one on the list. Can you relate?
Something is soothing about picking up a magazine and reading through the idea, but actually doing one, that’s another story. At times I don’t pick one to do because I feel overwhelmed by the work of making a choice, and sometimes it is the work of doing the suggestion.
I invite you to consider making a mental pre-commitment before you read the list of ideas. Commit to trying one of the things you are about to read. Ok, do you feel committed? (no problem if not, but super cool if you commit this second :)
Before we start, let me say that right now, my biggest advice to parents has been to make sure anxiety is not driving summer planning. One can feel a desire to “make up for lost time” and want to ensure plenty of sports, in-person social, reading, and the list goes on. Let’s keep remembering that “emotions are contagious” and try to prevent anxious feelings from intruding too often. Instead, let’s work to point out the things going right — and celebrate whatever little wins we see this summer.
When kids struggle with big emotions, many parents reach for a screen to keep the peace — but this can get in the way of children developing real coping skills. Drawing on research from Dr. Jenny Radesky, this post shares two practical strategies: using the Zones of Regulation color system to help kids name and process their feelings, and doing a toy swap with another parent to build your "vulnerable village" of support. Both approaches turn difficult screen-time moments into opportunities for emotional growth.
READ MORE >
When teens say they hate you, it often feels personal, but it may not truly be about you. Teens sometimes direct their overwhelming feelings toward the safest person in their life. Instead of responding with logic or backing down out of fear, check that your limits are fair, practice self-compassion, and focus on validation rather than correction. If conflict feels stuck, family counseling can help both sides feel heard and understood.
READ MORE >
Thoughtful family tech rules help protect kids’ wellbeing, learning, and sleep while strengthening connection at home. Using the fresh start of a new year, this post shares eight practical tech habits families can discuss and adapt together, including shared social media check-ins, screen time inventories, device-free meals, regular gaming breaks, and keeping phones out of bedrooms at night.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
