How to Get Kids Off Screens: Dopamine, Tablets, and the Battle for Balance
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
Release Date: 01/22/2026
When Your Kid Asks About Scary News: The HEAR Script for Hard Questions
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
When Your Kid Asks About Scary News: The HEAR Script for Hard Questions Your kid overhears a scary headline, and later drops the question that hits you in the chest: “Why would someone do that… and are we safe?” In this episode, Dr. Amy Patenaude shares a simple, repeatable framework you can remember under stress: HEAR, so you’re not scrambling for the perfect words when your own brain goes blank. 3 to 5 key takeaways Your kid is usually asking a safety and regulation question, even if it sounds like a “why” question. Your nervous system sets the tone. The goal is not perfection,...
info_outline
Won’t vs Can’t: The 3 Clues That Change Everything (Especially with Strong-Willed Kids)
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
Won’t vs Can’t: The 3 Clues That Change Everything (Especially with Strong-Willed Kids) If you’re parenting a strong-willed kid, you’ve heard (or thought) some version of: “They just won’t.” But a lot of “won’t” moments are actually “can’t-in-that-format / can’t-in-this-moment”—and reading it wrong turns into pressure, consequences, and a fight that helps no one. In this episode, Dr. Amy Patenaude gives you a simple, brain-based way to stop debating intent and start spotting the real barrier so you can respond with clarity (and keep expectations without turning...
info_outline
When Reading Isn’t Clicking: The K–2 Evaluation, Dyslexia Questions, and What to Ask Before Retention Comes Up
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
When Reading Isn’t Clicking: The K–2 Evaluation, Dyslexia Questions, and What to Ask Before Retention Comes Up That “Reading Support / Next Steps” email can make your stomach drop—fast. In this episode, Dr. Amy Patenaude walks you through what a K–2 reading evaluation actually looks at (in normal human language), what “dyslexia questions” are most useful in early elementary, and what to ask for before retention becomes the whole plan. You’ll leave with clear questions, calm scripts, and a Monday-morning-ready way to keep the plan specific (not vague “more time”). In this...
info_outline
When Middle School Kids Say Scary Things: “Life Is Pointless,” “Intrusive Thoughts,” “I Want to Die” — A Calm, Clear Plan for Parents
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
When Middle School Kids Say Scary Things: “Life Is Pointless,” “Intrusive Thoughts,” “I Want to Die” — A Calm, Clear Plan for Parents Today’s episode is for parents of middle schoolers (roughly ages 11–14)—when your kid says big, scary things like “Life is pointless,” “I have intrusive thoughts about death,” or “I want to die,” and your nervous system immediately lights up. We’re building a calm plan that takes your kid seriously without catapulting you into spiraling or minimizing. Quick note: this episode is educational. If you’re worried about immediate...
info_outline
How to Get Kids Off Screens: Dopamine, Tablets, and the Battle for Balance
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
Episode 17: Screens, Dopamine, and the Battle for Balance (Elementary Edition) Episode summary If “screens off” turns your child into a tiny lawyer with raccoon-level regulation, you’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Amy explains why tablets feel stickier than TV, what dopamine is actually doing in the brain, and how to build a predictable off-ramp so transitions don’t blow up your whole day. In this episode you’ll learn Why stopping screens is a stack of skills, not just “listening” Why tablets can be harder than TV (interactive, fast feedback, lots of control) What to expect...
info_outline
The Home–School Mismatch: Why Your Kid Falls Apart After School (and What to Do)
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
Episode 16: The Home–School Mismatch: Why Your Kid Falls Apart After School (and What to Do) Episode summary If your kid is “fine at school” and then falls apart at home, this episode will make the whole thing make sense. Dr. Amy explains why the home–school mismatch happens (no shame, no blame) and how to connect what you see at home with what school sees at school so you can stop guessing and start advocating clearly. In this episode you’ll learn Why “same kid, different math” is the key reframe when school and home look totally different How to spot the hidden supports at...
info_outline
After School Meltdowns: The Coke Bottle Kid
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
Episode 15: After School Meltdowns: The Coke Bottle Kid Episode summary If your child is “fine” at school and then absolutely falls apart at home—over homework, the wrong snack, or a sibling breathing—this episode is for you. Dr. Amy Patenaude explains after-school meltdowns with the Coke Bottle Kid metaphor: school is the shaking, home is where the cap comes off. You’ll get a simple stage map (shaken → fizzing → cap-tight → pop → recovery) plus a practical strategy to release pressure before things explode. In this episode you’ll learn Why after-school meltdowns are...
info_outline
What runDisney’s Dopey Challenge Taught Me About Raising Big-Feeling Kids (Boundaries, Pacing, and Repair)
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
Episode summary In this behind-the-curtain episode, Dr. Amy Patenaude shares what runDisney’s Dopey Challenge (four races in four days) taught her about endurance parenting—especially in the after-school hours when everyone’s bandwidth is gone. You’ll get a brain-based way to think about pacing, boundaries, Plan B moments, and repair—plus copy/paste school advocacy language and Tiny Wins you can try this week. In this episode you’ll learn How to shift from “fix it today” to an endurance question: “What makes later easier?” Why after-school meltdowns often mean “you hit a...
info_outline
AI Parenting Help Without the Rabbit Hole: Tiny Scripts for Big Feelings
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
Episode summary It’s 9:47pm, the kitchen is “less dangerous,” and then a totally normal school email sends your brain into full threat-detection mode. In this episode, Dr. Amy Patenaude breaks down how to use AI tools like ChatGPT for parenting and school support without letting them fuel anxiety spirals, rewrite loops, or panic-research. You’ll get guardrails, a simple stop sign, and tiny scripts that help you sound like your regulated self, not your 10pm self. In this episode you’ll learn Why AI can be helpful and also a surprisingly efficient anxiety amplifier when you’re...
info_outline
Brain Traffic Jams: When Executive Function Collides with Real Life
Psyched2Parent: Turning Brain Science into Tiny Wins for Parents
Episode summary Mornings, homework, transitions, and bedtime can turn into total chaos when your child’s executive function system hits overload. In this episode, I’ll help you spot an executive function “traffic jam” in real time, translate “won’t” into “can’t yet, not like this,” and use simple supports that lower conflict without lowering expectations. You’ll leave with scripts you can say out loud and Tiny Wins that act like on-ramps when real life is coming in hot at 7:42 a.m. In this episode you’ll learn What executive functioning is (and what it is not) in plain...
info_outlineEpisode 17: Screens, Dopamine, and the Battle for Balance (Elementary Edition)
Episode summary
If “screens off” turns your child into a tiny lawyer with raccoon-level regulation, you’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Amy explains why tablets feel stickier than TV, what dopamine is actually doing in the brain, and how to build a predictable off-ramp so transitions don’t blow up your whole day.
In this episode you’ll learn
- Why stopping screens is a stack of skills, not just “listening”
- Why tablets can be harder than TV (interactive, fast feedback, lots of control)
- What to expect when you tighten a boundary (yes, it can get louder at first)
- How to build an off-ramp that reduces battles without giving up your whole life
Parenting scripts you can try
- Off-ramp script
“When the timer goes off, it’s time to save, plug in, and move on. You can be mad and we’re still doing it.” - Choice within a boundary
“It’s time to be done. Do you want to turn it off now, or do you want me to help you?” - Preview plus empathy
“In five minutes, we’re turning it off. I know stopping is hard. I’ll help you.” - Neutral follow-through line
“I’m not arguing about it. We can talk when your body is calmer. Right now it’s plug in time.”
Tiny Wins to try this week
- Pick one tricky tech window (after school or weekend mornings). Consistency in one window beats chaos in five
- Use the same off-ramp steps every time: timer, finish, save, plug in, next step (snack, movement, dinner)
- Create a device home base in a common area (charging spot outside bedrooms if you can)
- Try one Phone Down micro-window for you (10 minutes a day: dinner, car line, bedtime)
- Follow through cleanly once: no lecture, no debate, calm and done
Pick one. One is enough.
Free resources
- Big Feelings Decoder: a quick way to decode big behavior and respond with more clarity. Grab it here: https://psyched2parent.myflodesk.com/bigfeelingsdecoder
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical, psychological, or legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create a provider-client relationship. If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, safety, or development, please consult a qualified professional in your area.