The human condition is one in which some degree of pain, suffering, and loss are inevitable. What has helped me with this fact is anchoring onto a mantra that popped into my mind some years ago, which is "let love lead." I work to focus on the love that exists all around me, so I don’t overly focus on the pain and suffering. Also, when I am at a crossroads in my life, from little to large, I tune into how I can best "let love lead" — which decision is most in line with adding more love to my life, to the lives of others, and this world?
The love we adults have for our kids, as parents, as teachers, as counselors, as coaches, as grandparents, as librarians, as health providers, and the list goes on and on gives me hope every day.
And something else that gives me immense hope is humans’ ability to change things to make them better. Seeing how many young people are doing that right now to increase the number of people participating in voting is one example. That is happening in my home.
Two years ago, when my son entered college, he immediately sought out opportunities to increase votership on his campus. I continue to be in awe of how hard he has worked the past two years doing that. Meanwhile, my daughter has been working with an organization that is trying to get people out and voting for positive change across the country.
I want to add one note, I just read the above to my kids to see if they were okay with me writing about them (I always run things by them). They said yes, and then they both said that I needed to remind people to ensure breaks off screens to be able to unhook from the onslaught of intense media and news. Tessa added that it is helpful to turn off notifications. Chase added that we all have to remember and be prepared for the fact that it could take longer to call election results in many races.
Ultimately, we ended our conversation by saying how essential it is to create times to focus on ways to fill up on love. Now, the two of them have left me here on the computer as they head out to take a walk together.
Let me finish by saying to all of you, my fellow changemakers, that it is so wonderful to know you are out there and that together we will continue to work to bring growth experiences and loving connections to our children and to all children. I feel so blessed to be on this journey with all of you.
Questions to spark discussion
Click here if you are interested in hosting an ONLINE screening for your community.
Click here if you want to attend an ONLINE screening.
Click here for information about Dr. Ruston’s new book, Parenting in the Screen Age
Subscribe to Dr. Ruston’s Screenagers Podcast.
The human condition is one in which some degree of pain, suffering, and loss are inevitable. What has helped me with this fact is anchoring onto a mantra that popped into my mind some years ago, which is "let love lead." I work to focus on the love that exists all around me, so I don’t overly focus on the pain and suffering. Also, when I am at a crossroads in my life, from little to large, I tune into how I can best "let love lead" — which decision is most in line with adding more love to my life, to the lives of others, and this world?
The love we adults have for our kids, as parents, as teachers, as counselors, as coaches, as grandparents, as librarians, as health providers, and the list goes on and on gives me hope every day.
And something else that gives me immense hope is humans’ ability to change things to make them better. Seeing how many young people are doing that right now to increase the number of people participating in voting is one example. That is happening in my home.
Two years ago, when my son entered college, he immediately sought out opportunities to increase votership on his campus. I continue to be in awe of how hard he has worked the past two years doing that. Meanwhile, my daughter has been working with an organization that is trying to get people out and voting for positive change across the country.
I want to add one note, I just read the above to my kids to see if they were okay with me writing about them (I always run things by them). They said yes, and then they both said that I needed to remind people to ensure breaks off screens to be able to unhook from the onslaught of intense media and news. Tessa added that it is helpful to turn off notifications. Chase added that we all have to remember and be prepared for the fact that it could take longer to call election results in many races.
Ultimately, we ended our conversation by saying how essential it is to create times to focus on ways to fill up on love. Now, the two of them have left me here on the computer as they head out to take a walk together.
Let me finish by saying to all of you, my fellow changemakers, that it is so wonderful to know you are out there and that together we will continue to work to bring growth experiences and loving connections to our children and to all children. I feel so blessed to be on this journey with all of you.
Questions to spark discussion
Click here if you are interested in hosting an ONLINE screening for your community.
Click here if you want to attend an ONLINE screening.
Click here for information about Dr. Ruston’s new book, Parenting in the Screen Age
Subscribe to Dr. Ruston’s Screenagers Podcast.
In keeping with this month of Mental Health Awareness, I want to talk about one of the most effective resilience skills we can help impart to our kids: the act of taking pain and turning it into positive action. It is well established that doing actions to address tragedies or injustices can lift our feelings of wellbeing, hope, self-efficacy, and purpose.
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In the spirit of Mental Health Month, it is paramount that all kids know that mental health issues affect us all. Our emotional lives are so complicated. The pressure youth feel to exude certain feelings can be intense. A significant portion of my book Parenting in the Screen Age is devoted to mental health issues and today I want to share one small section of the book.
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Today I share three important brain health messages to get to our kids. Also, to share language you can use with them ongoing — whether it’s about their own mental health, others in the family, or peers and beyond.
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.
