As a mom of two—I get it. Screens are everywhere. They’re helpful, entertaining, and sometimes, let’s be honest, the only reason we get to finish our coffee while it’s still warm. But as both a parent and the CEO of a nonprofit that helps strengthen families, I can’t stop talking about the effects screens have…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4959741-scaled.jpg13652048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-07-27 11:00:002025-07-21 12:00:34How Screen Use Can Shape Children’s Brains (and What to Watch For)
The other night, my 6-year-old son looked up from his peanut butter sandwich and asked, “Mom, what’s going on in that place called Gaza? Everybody is talking about it.” I paused, mid-bite, suddenly aware that his little ears had caught news from the TV at his grandparents’ house. It’s a question many of us face:…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4473774-scaled.jpg13652048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-07-20 11:00:002025-07-11 15:26:08When and How to Discuss Tragedies With Your Children
My almost two-year-old daughter insists on putting her shoes on “by MY-self.” It takes five full minutes, a mild meltdown, and one backward sandal, but she makes it happen. Meanwhile, her six-year-old brother loves to “make his own breakfast”—which, in his world, means putting jelly on bread and pouring his own oatmilk. Was it messy?…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/pexels-cottonbro-6651157-scaled.jpg13652048Lauren Hallhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngLauren Hall2025-07-13 11:00:002025-07-22 12:44:25How to Help Young Kids Grow More Independent
How Screen Use Can Shape Children’s Brains (and What to Watch For)
As a mom of two—I get it. Screens are everywhere. They’re helpful, entertaining, and sometimes, let’s be honest, the only reason we get to finish our coffee while it’s still warm. But as both a parent and the CEO of a nonprofit that helps strengthen families, I can’t stop talking about the effects screens have…
When and How to Discuss Tragedies With Your Children
The other night, my 6-year-old son looked up from his peanut butter sandwich and asked, “Mom, what’s going on in that place called Gaza? Everybody is talking about it.” I paused, mid-bite, suddenly aware that his little ears had caught news from the TV at his grandparents’ house. It’s a question many of us face:…
How to Help Young Kids Grow More Independent
My almost two-year-old daughter insists on putting her shoes on “by MY-self.” It takes five full minutes, a mild meltdown, and one backward sandal, but she makes it happen. Meanwhile, her six-year-old brother loves to “make his own breakfast”—which, in his world, means putting jelly on bread and pouring his own oatmilk. Was it messy?…