Can We Keep Teens Safe on Social Media? What Every Parent Needs to Know from Meta :: Tara Hopkins [Ep 526]
In this episode, I sit down with Meta’s Global Director of Public Policy, who also happens to be a mom of two teenagers, to discuss the realities of raising kids in a digital-first world. There is a lot that goes into ensuring our teens are safe online, and Tara explains how Instagram is becoming a leader in this arena. Whether you’re worried about screen time, inappropriate content, or online bullying, this conversation is packed with insight and practical help. Here are some topics we cover:
How Meta uses cutting-edge technology for age verification
The three biggest concerns parents have about social media- who can contact their teen on Instagram, whether the content their teen sees is age-appropriate, and how much time their teen is spending on social media
Encouraging open conversations when your teen sees (or does) something online they shouldn’t
Connect with Tara Hopkins:
Instagram: Tara Hopkins
Links Mentioned:
Meta Family Center
Related Episodes:
Creating a Family Tech Plan :: Andrea Davis [Ep 470]
Cultivating a Healthy Relationship with Tech :: Joey Odom [Ep 425]
Braving the Tech Landscape Through Connection :: Chris McKenna [Ep 424]
Creating Digital Safe Spaces :: Chris McKenna [Ep 360]
Featured Sponsors:
Function: I highly recommend Function. Learn more and join using my link. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/DMA to own your health.
Active Skin Repair: Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and to get 20% off your order, use code:DMA.
Thrive Market: Skip the junk without overspending. Head over to ThriveMarket.com/DMA to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
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1:03:03
Help! My Kids Don’t Know How to Do Anything : Building Life Skills This Summer :: Katie Kimball [Ep 525]
Today Katie Kimball is here to show us how to help our kids gain life skills that last and contribute to the family. Katie founded a program called Life Skills Now which covers topics from oil changes, to cooking, to entrepreneurship. She shares that competence equals confidence and with the rise of anxiety and depression, we want to give our kids all of the confidence and skills to succeed in this world. Summer is a perfect time to begin! Here are some topics we cover:
Why parenting can't be put on autopilot- we need to shift and change constantly
A list of 100 practical, emotional, and intellectual skills your kids can learn
Breaking chores into doable chunks instead of “just go clean the bathroom”
How to create a "Summer Skills List" with your kids that fosters ownership and choice
How to teach them skills that are hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on
How critical thinking and open-ended questions shape kids' future decision-making
Connect with Katie Kimball:
Website: kidscookrealfood.com/dontmomalone
Facebook: Kids Cook Real Food
Instagram: Katie Kimball | TEDx speaker (@katiekimballkidscook)
Links Mentioned:
Sign up for the #LifeSkillsNow Camp! (FREE for the week of June 9th to 13th).
Online Cooking Class for Kids - Kids Cook Real Food
Stress Mastery Challenge for Busy Moms
Kid-Friendly Kitchen Tools and Knives - Kids Cook Real Food
Related Episodes:
Raising Critical Thinkers :: Julie Bogart [Ep 474]
The Lazy Genius Kitchen :: Kendra Adachi [Ep 365]
Raising Kids Who Can Stand Alone :: Cynthia Yanof – Summer of Mentorship – Wk 2 [Ep 415]
Featured Sponsors:
HIYA health: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults
Thrive Causemetics: Try your new trusty favorites with an exclusive set for our listeners. New customers can get the Liquid Lash extensions mascara and a mini-sized Brilliant Eye Brightener at a special set price with free shipping at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA.
Outschool: Get $30 off your families first month of Outschool when you use our link: https://outschool.com/DMA and use code DMA at checkout.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
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54:41
Craving Peace? How Sabbath and Nature Can Restore Your Soul :: Eryn Lynum [Ep 524]
Today Eryn Lynum joins me to share about the beautiful connection between nature and rest. Sabbath has become such a hot topic right now but Eryn had to learn from age 14 how to rest like her life depended on it when she was diagnosed with Addison's disease. She is now a homeschooling mom of four, a master naturalist, author, and business owner. Her family is committed to their family values and weekly sabbath amid a very full life. She reminds us of some deep ancient truths that God created us to fully live and gives us tools to find new rhythms. We explore:
How Jesus taught through nature
The meaning of “Shabbat” — to stop and to delight
How to build in Selah pauses (even if you only have 5 minutes!)
God meant for the sabbath to be a celebration, not a stuffy rule following day
Rest is the perfection of vital activity- what is vital in this season for your family
Connect with Eryn Lynum:
Website: Eryn Lynum Author
Facebook: Eryn Lynum Author and Speaker
Instagram: Eryn Lynum | Master Naturalist and Author (@erynlynumauthor)
Links Mentioned:
The Nature of Rest: By Eryn Lynum
Nat Theo Podcast | Eryn Lynum
Rooted in Wonder: By Eryn Lynum
Tired of Being Tired: By Jess Connolly
Related Episodes:
Sidetracked with Jess Connolly :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 484]
Which Type of Rest Do You Need? :: Saundra Dalton-Smith [Ep 209]
Thinking Differently about Sabbath :: Shelly Miller [Ep 181]
Featured Sponsors:
Gabb–Protecting your kids has never been easier. For the best deals, sign up to
Gabb today–no contract required- at Gabb.com/dma. Terms and conditions apply.
Green Chef–Make this season your most delicious yet with Green Chef. Head to greenchef.com/50ALONE and use the code 50ALONE to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
Function Health– I highly recommend Function. Learn more and join using my link. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/DMA to own your health.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
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51:30
Navigating Senior Year: College Prep, Family Talks, and Faithful Waiting :: Lee Cordon and Barrett Ball [Ep 523]
Today we are live and in person in my office with Lee Cordon and Barrett Ball! My real-life friends have created a comprehensive guide for senior year and beyond. We cover the logistical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that every family walks through—from managing the college application process to preparing for big transitions at home. This conversation is packed with practical tips, encouragement, and insights every high school parent needs to hear. Here are some of the many topics covered in today’s episode:
Building a realistic college list and setting financial expectations early
Finding safe support systems that don’t fuel anxiety for students or parents
Summer prep checklist: housing deposits, senior photos, Greek life, dorm lists
What to get started on in Junior year to make Senior year more enjoyable and less stressful
Practical gift ideas and etiquette around graduation announcements
How to wait well with our kids and stay calm and collected to set the tone for your home
Connect with Lee Cordon and Barrett Ball:
Website: Do Say Give
Facebook: Do Say Give
Instagram: DoSayGive (@dosaygive)
Links Mentioned:
A Mom's Companion Guide to Senior Year Membership | DoSayGive Code for 20% off - HEATHER
Apply to college with Common App
Electric Kettle
10 Conversations Families Should Have Before Senior Year
Under $30 High School Graduation Gifts
Under $40 High School Graduation Gifts
High School Graduation Etiquette 101
Related Episodes:
Demystifying Financial Aid :: Kristi Steele [Ep 440]
Long Game Parenting :: Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson [Ep 337]
How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin {Ep 88}
Featured Sponsors:
Honeylove–Treat yourself to the most comfortable and innovative bras on earth and save 20% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/DMA
Storyworth–Give the “dads” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift you’ll all cherish for years–storyworth! Right now, save $10 during their Father’s Day sale when you go to Storyworth.com/dma.
Active Skin Repair–Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and to get 20% off your order, use code:DMA.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
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1:04:58
Helping Kids Do Hard Things, Strong-Willed Kids, and Growing Through Failure :: David Thomas & Sissy Goff [Ep 522]
Today our favorite counselors, David Thomas and Sissy Goff, are back to talk about their new project- children’s books! So much has happened over the last few years and they are beginning to see the onset of anxiety drop to age 6 from 8 years old previously. They created these books to give kids the words and emotional tools to do hard things and decrease anxiety, including a golden retriever feelings chart. As usual, they pack so much advice into every moment, here are some things we cover:
Escape and Avoidance vs. Support and Challenge in parenting
Connect over correction- we lose connections when we try to control the environment
Kids are becoming less resilient- they learn they are capable by experience
How to help an introverted child with friendships
How to be a good loser- turn it into something constructive
How to understand your strong-willed child
Why teen boys are not taking risks
Connect with David Thomas and Sissy Goff:
Website: Raising Boys and Girls
Facebook: Raising Boys and Girls
Instagram: Raising Boys and Girls (@raisingboysandgirls)
Links Mentioned:
Owen Learns He Has What It Takes: By David Thomas
Lucy Learns to Be Brave: By Sissy Goff
Braver, Stronger, Smarter: By Sissy Goff
Strong and Smart: By David Thomas
Quiet Power: By Susan Cain
Related Episodes:
Helping Our Kids Foster Friendships :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 338]
Getting Brave About Anxiety :: Sissy Goff [Ep 311]
The Worry-Free Parent :: Sissy Goff [Ep 421]
Raising Worry-Free Girls :: Sissy Goff [Bonus]
Helping Socially Anxious Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 451]
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 368]
A Lil Help with Boys and Screens :: David Thomas [Bonus]
Understanding Boys Better :: David Thomas [Ep 315]
Featured Sponsors:
Thrive Market: Skip the junk without overspending. Head over to thrivemarket.com/DMA to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift.
Function Health: I highly recommend Function. Learn more and join using my link. The first 1000 get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/DMA to own your health.
Thrive Causemetics: Try your new trusty favorites with an exclusive set for our listeners. New customers can get the Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara and a mini-sized Brilliant Eye Brightener at a special set price with free shipping available at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, connects you the listener with people and resources to help you feel less alone. Consider it an invitation to "withness".
USA