🎧 listen to the full podcast episode here
If you’ve been following along on the podcast, in workshops, or even on social media, you might start to notice a shift in what I’m sharing. It’s not a full pivot, but more of a coming home—a decision to lean all the way into something I’ve been passionate about for years: helping families navigate technology.
The truth is, no matter what brought a parent or student to me over the years—whether it was behavior, school struggles, or emotional regulation—technology always came up. It's woven into nearly every part of our kids' lives, and it's shaping everything from their sleep and mood to their friendships and learning.
And yet, so many of us feel like we’re just supposed to figure it out as we go. We didn’t grow up with smartphones in our pockets or YouTube in our faces. We’re the bridge generation—raised with dial-up and house phones, now parenting kids with group chats forming in first grade.
So I’m saying it out loud: I’m focusing on raising tech-conscious kids.
Not “no-tech.” Not shame. Not fear. But awareness. Intention. Realistic support for real families in a tech-saturated world.
The Moment That Sparked It All
Recently, a parent looked at me and said, “Well, I’ve got an iPad kid. What can you do about it?” And they didn’t say it with frustration—they said it with defeat. Like this was just the way things are now.
But it doesn’t have to be.
Every time I’ve worked with families to create a thoughtful, doable plan around tech, something changes. Kids calm down. Parents feel more in charge. Connection grows. It’s not about a total tech detox—it’s about flipping the pyramid so our kids get more of what they really need: connection, sleep, movement, play, and even boredom.
Why This Matters
Tech isn’t just shaping our homes—it’s also shaping our schools. As a former school counselor, I saw firsthand how screens are now embedded in curriculum. Even our youngest learners are on devices all day at school… and then again at home. So when we see our kids struggling with behavior or focus, we can’t just zoom in—we have to zoom out and ask: what’s shaping their brain?
It’s often way more screen time than we realize.
But here’s what I want every parent to know:
It’s never too late to make a change.
Whether your child is three and melting down when the tablet turns off, or ten and glued to their Nintendo Switch, it’s not a failure—it’s a signal. A nudge. An opportunity to lead with love and intention.
What You Can Expect From Me
This podcast and my work aren’t changing their heart—but I will be leaning more into this tech conversation. You’ll still get stories, strategies, and support for raising emotionally healthy, connected kids. But I’m going to keep pulling the thread on technology—because it’s impacting everything.
Together, we’ll talk about:
Building screen-free rituals that stick
When to say “not yet” to tech—and how to hold that boundary
Creating a balanced tech “pyramid” in your home
Modeling healthy digital habits for our kids
How to handle it when it feels too late
I’m not sharing this from a mountaintop—I’m right here in it with you. Raising three kids in the same tech-heavy world. Trying to balance my own screen time and model what I want them to see. Learning in real-time.
And I believe this deeply:
Parents have more power than they think.
Let’s raise tech-conscious kids. Let’s lead with connection. Let’s give ourselves—and our kids—a little more grace as we figure this out together.
I’m so glad you’re here.
—
Ashley
P.S. If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. What’s been the hardest part of tech in your home? What’s worked? Shoot me a message or come join the conversation on the podcast. You’re never alone in this.
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