To Play or Not to Play With Your Kids?

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!In today's digital age, managing screen time is a growing concern. In the recent crossover episode of the All Pro Dad and iMOM podcasts, hosts Megan Tignor and Ted Lowe talked with Joey Odom, co-founder of ARO, about the impact of phone usage on family dynamics and child development. They emphasized the need for parents to take the lead in establishing healthy digital habits for themselves and their children.The Three M's of Parenting in the Digital AgeThe discussion outlined the "Three M's" of parenting when it comes to digital behavior:Modeling: Parents unknowingly model bad phone habits.Mimicking: Children copy these behaviors.Madness: Parents then grow frustrated by the behavior they’ve modeled.Joey stressed that parents’ phone habits are the main predictor of their children's future tech use.Practical Steps for Reducing Screen TimeJoey suggested the "Three S's" for a healthier digital balance:Spend Time Apart: Have at least one phone-free hour each day to encourage face-to-face interactions.Sacred Spaces: Create phone-free zones, like at the dinner table, to prioritize personal connections.Seek Moments of Connection: Actively engage with family without digital distractions.Introducing AROARO is a platform designed to help families disconnect and be more present. With tools like the ARO box and app, families can track time spent away from their phones, fostering intentional living.This episode urges families to set boundaries and model healthier habits to create a more balanced and connected life.---Important Episode Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to the All Pro Dad Podcast/iMOM Crossover episode(00:44) The Impact of Screen Time on Families(01:48) Introducing Joey and His Journey(02:59) The Birth of ARO and Its Mission(09:12) The Relationship With Our Phones(19:18) Modeling Phone Behavior for Our Kids(27:43) The Dilemma of Digital Distraction(28:19) Practical Tips for Staying Present(28:52) The Power of Environment Over Willpower(34:09) Family Strategies for Reducing Screen Time(34:55) Starting with Yourself: A Parent's Guide(38:43) Introducing ARO: A Tool for Intentional Living(44:23) Three Practical Steps to Disconnect(50:16) Final Thoughts and Resources---Sponsor:The iMOM Podcast and the All Pro Dad Podcast are brought to you by Family First. We are an organization on a mission to provide parenting, marriage, and relational truth that helps people love their family well and gives them greater hope for the future. Visit FamilyFirst.Net to learn more.---Links:Connect with Megan TignorConnect with Ted LoweSubscribe now to iMOMSubscribe now to All Pro DadLearn more about Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Announcement time! This episode of the iMOM Podcast has a special announcement you don’t want to miss. We’re also sharing the highs and lows of making a career work while raising children.Mentions:Are You Experiencing Working Mom Guilt?5 Ways to Decide if You Should Be a Working Mom5 Sanity-Saving Tips for Single Working MomsWorking Moms—We See You This SummerThis episode’s show notes can also be viewed here on iMOM.com.Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!No mom wants to put her child in front of a screen, but they’re so convenient, and life is busy! In this episode, we discuss how to lean on screens less even when they feel like the only option.  Mentions:19 Alternatives to Screen Time Your Kids Will Actually LikeScreen Time TicketsScreen Time TrackerScreen Time ContractThe Anxious GenerationThis episode’s show notes can also be viewed here on iMOM.com.Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Sometimes being a mom means doing things we don’t want to do. In this week’s episode, which was inspired by the Instagram mom who doesn’t play with her kids, we talk about how our kids force us to step outside our comfort zones.  Mentions:4 Ways to Play Pretend When You’re Not Feeling ItToday Show ArticleThe Mom I Am TestThis episode’s show notes can also be viewed here on iMOM.com.Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!AI and education is an incredible collaboration that can help your kids learn and grow. In the third episode in our series on AI, we dig into how AI and education will merge and how parents can cooperate with AI to help their kids academically. Mentions:All Pro Dad PodcastIs Using A.I. for Schoolwork Cheating?3 Things Kids and Teachers Gain Now That AI Is Here to Stay4 Ways AI Will Change Education for Your Child (For the Better)3 Fears About AI and Learning in SchoolsThis episode’s show notes can also be viewed here on iMOM.com.Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Once you have a basic understanding of AI, the next step is figuring out how your kids are going to use it for entertainment, socialization, and learning. In this episode, we cover how parents can navigate AI with their children and keep them safe. Mentions:All Pro Dad PodcastReal or AI Quiz6 Things You Need to Know About AI Right Now3 Insights for Parenting in the Age of AI4 Ways Parents Can Prepare Kids for a World With Chatbots5 Ways to Keep Kids Safe With AI Images and Deepfakes4 Ways to Lead Your Kids in Our New AI World This episode’s show notes can also be viewed here on iMOM.com.Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!AI is new and exciting (and a little intimidating). In this episode, we talk with Mary Jo Wyse, iMOM's AI researcher to learn the basics of this new technology and how it will impact our families. Mentions:All Pro Dad Podcast6 Things You Need to Know About AI Right Now4 Ways AI Will Change Education for Your Child (For the Better)4 Ways to Lead Your Kids in Our New AI WorldThis episode’s show notes can also be viewed here on iMOM.com.Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Has motherhood made you more authentically you, or have you lost your sense of self? In this episode, we ask how moms can embrace the sacrifices that come with parenting and maybe even find themselves in this journey. Mentions:State of Motherhood ReportLosing Yourself in Motherhood—But Maybe NotLaura Rutledge: 10 “Get To’s” of Motherhood That Bring Unexpected JoyThis episode’s show notes can also be viewed here on iMOM.com.Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Mental health is a big part of our cultural conversation, which means it has become part of many families' conversations. In this episode, we talk about what influences a mom's decision to put her child in therapy.Mentions:Article from The Sydney Morning Herald5 Situations that Might Require Therapy for your Child7 Things You Can Do to Support Your Child’s Mental Health5 Things to Boost Kids’ Mental HealthThis episode’s show notes can also be viewed here on iMOM.com.Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Even if your husband and son are like two peas in a pod, you have a special relationship with your boy, too. In this episode we chat about how moms can use their influence to raise kind, strong young men.  Mentions:3 Words We Say That Hurt Our Sons7 Things Single Moms Can Do to Raise Awesome Boys10 Things Boys Want to Hear From Their MomsAre You Getting in the Way of Your Son Becoming a Man?Find Out How to Start an All Pro Dad Chapter at Your Child's SchoolThis episode’s show notes can also be viewed here on iMOM.com.Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | XSubscribe to the iMOM Minute and get daily motherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration sent to your inbox.