MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A new type of parenting coach is gaining in popularity. As reported in the New York Times, they are paid to help raise your child to be phone-free.
One woman runs a network of 500 coaches that includes a training system. They charge $80 in smaller cities and up to $250 in larger cities.
Screen consultants come into home or schools, to remind parents how people parented before.
Their recommendations include “movement,” like playing or painting.
Some suggest a lifestyle change, like getting an animal that children can spend time with.
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My kids will also not have phones until 9th grade. My daughter is currently an 8th grader and has not only survived, but thrived. She loves spending time outdoors, gardening, reading, playing with neighbors, etc. in the summer. During the school year she’s busy with school and other activities. It is not that hard if you start them young and model it yourself. They won’t know any different life. They’ll ask for a phone because “ALL” their friends have one, but they get over it quickly. When we educate them about the challenges kids face who spend lots of time on screens, they do understand.
To speak to the question, “Why is it ‘bad'”? There is SO much research out there on addiction to screens, how the brain is altered, how dopamine enters the brain frequently when on screens, etc. We need to take the time to educate ourselves. Parents need to be informed and make informed decisions. Ignorance is never a good thing.
Some good resources: iGen, by Dr. Jean Twenge, and The Big Disconnect by Catherine Steiner-Adair.
The parents ARE the coaches…
It is hard to believe parents spend money to “coach” their children…why wouldn’t it be better to NOT buy a smart phone for their kids in the first place?
These people need to realize BEFORE they start dropping kids that PARENT is also a verb.
I am amazed that our young adult parent age society has become so stupid. Just don’t buy phones for your kids. They are not necessary. How many thousands of years went by without phones a all? But people got by. If it’s child safety you are concerned with, home school them or move to a safer area. Cell phones have been around for less tan 50 years and affordable for abut 20 years and we have this problem today? The problem isn’t the phone it’s lack of parenting.
If you need a coach for this, you should not have children. Sad how quickly people surrender their authority to and “expert”‘ They are YOUR responsibility!
Yet another way to rake in $$$$$!