It’s a Crazy World Out There...
Every generation of parents has said it, and every generation of kids has rolled their eyes before doing whatever they wanted anyway...
We know parenting has always been challenging. But today, we're raising kids in two worlds—the real one we grew up in and the digital one we’re still trying to understand.
"It's a crazy world out there" isn't just a saying anymore—it's the the life we’re living everyday.
Parenting in Two Worlds
We are the first generation raising kids in two worlds at the same time.
While we try to teach life lessons based on our own childhood experiences, we're simultaneously scrambling to understand a future shaped by technology that didn’t exist when we were kids. Nobody gave us a playbook for negotiating screen time limits, keeping up with the latest AI tech, or how to setup the 3 million devices we need content filters for…
Yet all of these exist and demand our attention—while we’re also working, cooking, cleaning, shuttling kids to activities, and managing our own digital distractions.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, under prepared, and ready to give up… you’re not alone. This isn’t just normal—it’s the universal experience of raising kids in the digital age.
The Impact to Our Families
Screens aren’t just distractions anymore—they’re competition for those meaning moments of connection we love most.
Our kids feel it too. They see us juggling work emails at the dinner table while telling them to put their phones away. They hear us complain about their screen time but watch us glued to our own.
Family dinners become debates over devices. Car rides turn into negotiations about game time, and bedtime routines are met with "just one more video." What should be quality time together becomes a constant tug-of-war between digital engagement and real-world presence.
What’s the cost?
Moments that should bring us closer—laughing over a silly joke, telling a story, sharing a quiet hug—get lost to the digital world. Instead of building a strong family culture, we risk drifting into one where our most shared experience is scrolling side by side.
But There’s Hope….
Finding balance is possible.
Achieving family digital wellness isn’t about perfection—it’s about taking intentional steps that put people first and technology in its proper place…
Start with awareness, not anxiety. Simply noticing how and when technology affects your family dynamics is a powerful first step. Observe, without judgment, when devices enhance or detract from your connections.
Remember that small changes matter. You don't need a complete digital detox to make a difference. Begin with one family meal without phones, or a Saturday morning without screens, and build from there.
Focus on the human moments. Look for opportunities to highlight what makes us uniquely human—eye contact, laughter, physical touch, storytelling. These simple connections are the foundation of the kind, creative, and loving people we hope to raise.
Let your values guide your choices. When making decisions about technology use, ask: "Does this help or hinder our family's core values?" This simple question cuts through the noise of "should" and "shouldn't."
Practice Self-Compassion. There's no perfect path, only the one you create with love and intention for your unique family. Your willingness to try, adjust, and begin again is teaching your children resilience in real time.
Go All in on Human
In a world increasingly shaped by technology, the most valuable gift we can give our children is showing them the irreplaceable power of being authentically, messily, wonderfully human.
If you only remember one thing, remember this: our mission to raise kind, connected, creative, and loving human beings will never change. Go all in on that. ✌️
I'm Christopher Sciullo, I write about Family Digital Wellness...I help parents balance their own tech use while guiding kids toward healthier screen habits—so we can all rediscover the wonder of life beyond the screen.
Ready to take the next step? Sign up for my weekly newsletter to receive more tips on balancing technology and real-world adventure for you and your family. Let’s bring back that sense of childhood wonder—together.
