Morning brother,

Are Lunchables safe?

According to Consumer Reports (CR), scientists found hormone-disrupting chemicals and high levels of lead and sodium in the ultra-processed meal kits… 😬

In today’s edition:

1. Navigating the Digital Playground 📱

2. Garden Party 🌱

3. Job Board Postings 🎯

Parenting

Navigating the Digital Playground | A Critical Conversation on Child Development in the Tech Era

A while back we shared a book by Jonathan Haidt titled, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.”*, and asked if you thought phones were to blame for mental health struggles.

As we continue reading through the book and watching interviews, like the one we are highlighting here, we felt there needed to be a greater discussion on this book beyond a highlight in the intro.

So, here’s a great interview from an episode of the podcast "Good Inside," with Dr. Becky Kennedy as she engages with social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt about the profound impacts of today's digital environment on children.

The full discussion is linked in the video above, but to give you the Coles Notes here are the Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

• The Rise of Digital Dependence: Haidt identifies a dramatic shift between 2010 and 2015 where childhood fundamentally changed due to the advent of smartphones and social media. This shift has led to a 'great rewiring' where children's daily lives are dominated by digital interactions rather than human connections.

• Impact on Mental Health: The dialogue highlights how increased screen time is linked to rising levels of anxiety, depression, and fragility among young people. The constant engagement with devices is not only reducing physical interaction but also significantly impacting sleep patterns and attention spans.

• Societal and Developmental Implications: Haidt points out that this technological shift is not merely a change in habits but a transformation that affects fundamental aspects of human development. The absence of traditional play and direct social interactions is stunting emotional and social growth, leading to what he describes as an 'inhospitable' environment for healthy development.

• Empowering Parents with Strategies: Dr. Becky and Haidt discuss practical steps parents can take to mitigate these impacts. This includes setting boundaries around the use of technology, promoting more face-to-face interactions, and encouraging physical play. They emphasize the importance of parents acting collectively to establish norms that prioritize developmental health over digital convenience.

• Hope and Action: The conversation ends on a hopeful note, with both experts agreeing that while the challenges are significant, they are not insurmountable. Collective action and awareness can lead to a restructuring of childhood norms that prioritize real-world experiences over digital ones.

Conclusion: The episode serves as a crucial reminder of the responsibilities that parents, educators, and policymakers share in shaping a nurturing environment for the next generation. It challenges the audience to reflect on how we can all contribute to a landscape that allows children to thrive both offline and online, emphasizing the power of informed and concerted action to reclaim childhood from the clutches of digital dominance.

For parents and educators seeking to understand and combat the complexities of raising children in a digital age, this podcast episode is an essential listen. It provides not only insights into the challenges but also offers practical solutions and hope for fostering healthier developmental pathways for our children.

Together with Netflix

Netflix’s Popular Kids Podcast Drops New Episodes

Looking for an activity that will engage and entertain the whole family? Check-out Popcorn Brainstorm! Jokes & Trivia for Kids, the chart-topping Kids & Family podcast from Netflix. Featuring trivia, games and jokes from your kids’ favorite Netflix films and series, Popcorn Brainstorm explores and quizzes listeners on Leo, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, The Dragon Prince, and many others!

Daddy Daughter Time

Garden Party | Time outside and together

Overview: Welcome the freshness of spring by hosting a Spring Garden Party with your kids! This activity is perfect for dads who want to introduce their children to gardening in a fun and interactive way. It combines the joys of planting, the creativity of decorating, and the pleasure of celebrating all in your own backyard. This event not only beautifies your space but also teaches children about nature, responsibility, and the satisfaction of seeing their efforts bloom.

Materials Needed:

• Assorted seeds (flowers, vegetables, or herbs)

• Gardening tools (trowels, rakes, watering cans)

• Soil and compost

• Decorative pots or markers

• Outdoor decorations (string lights, paper lanterns, etc.)

• Snacks and refreshments

• Craft supplies for decorations (paint, brushes, glitter, etc.)

Steps:

1. Prepare the Garden Beds: Start by preparing your garden beds or pots. Clear any weeds and mix in fresh soil and compost to ensure your new plants have a healthy start.

2. Choose Your Plants: Let your kids help choose which seeds or young plants to grow. Opt for quick-growing plants like marigolds or sunflowers, or vegetables like lettuce and radishes, which can add to the excitement as they see results quickly.

3. Plant Together: Show your kids how to plant seeds or seedlings in the garden. Discuss the importance of spacing, depth, and the needs of each plant type.

4. Decorate Your Garden Space: While the plants take root, spend some time decorating your garden area. Hang up string lights, set out painted stones as garden markers, or hang paper lanterns from the trees.

5. Crafts Corner: Set up a station where kids can paint pots or create their own garden signs. This adds a personal touch to the garden and keeps the kids engaged.

6. Enjoy Refreshments: After some hard work and crafting, enjoy some snacks and refreshments together. You can have simple finger foods and drinks to keep the theme light and fun.

7. Discuss Garden Care: Teach your kids how to care for their new plants, including watering, weeding, and watching for pests. Make a simple schedule that kids can follow to check on their plants.

Pro Tip: Use this activity to teach children about the lifecycle of plants, the importance of bees and other pollinators, and how weather affects growth. It’s a great learning opportunity that ties into real-life care responsibilities.

Bonding Tips:

• Take Before and After Photos: Take photos of your garden area before starting and then weekly photos to document your garden’s growth over the season.

• Celebrate Growth: Have mini-celebrations when the first sprouts appear, flowers bloom, or vegetables are ready to harvest. This keeps the excitement going throughout the growing season.

• Regular Garden Dates: Set regular times to tend the garden together, turning your gardening into quality time spent checking on plants, watering, and enjoying the outdoors.

From the GRL DAD Crew

Introducing Our New Referral Program!

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Simply click the button below, and share the link with your friends and start earning some sweet GRL DAD swag!

Dad Joke Vault

How does the moon cut his hair?

Eclipse it.

The GRL DAD Treehouse

Better than 🧀: There’s a game-changing hack to get your kids to smile for pictures.

Putting Masters ⛳️: Bubba Watson’s daughter, Dakota, is a better putter than you are!

Multi-Sport Pros ⚾️: Can you guess in how many NHL players played a different sport other than hockey up to the age of 14? The answer will surprise you.

The Job Board

Assistant Project Manager NESC Staffing

Customer Service Representative Alorica

Roofing Sales Claims Specialist Titan Roofing And Construction LLC