Parents of the Year

Andrew and Caroline start this episode the same way many parents start a “normal” day: northern lights, a bank visit that ate two hours, and a reminder that adulting is its own full-time job. Then they try something parents are doing more and more—asking AI for parenting advice.
They put a “nice British voice” to the test on real-life sticking points: kids refusing chores, screen-time blowups, bedtime anxiety, and the constant tug-of-war between boundaries and burnout. The advice isn’t wild… but the tone is the story. Why does AI feel so comforting? When does reassurance turn into a crutch? And what happens when “helpful” starts replacing your village?
If you’ve ever Googled a parenting question at 2 a.m., this one will hit. Expect laughs, some blunt truth about consistency, and a practical way to use AI without handing it the keys to your home.

“Homework” ideas!

Homework 1: Pick one non-negotiable and make it boring
Choose one daily expectation (dishes in sink, teeth brushed, screen off at X).
Say it once, neutrally.
Follow through with a consequence you’ll actually do (pause screens, delay dessert, Wi-Fi off).
Resource: a one-sentence script you can print:
“When ___ is done, then ___ happens.”

Homework 2: Build a screen-time runway (no surprises)
Give a two-step warning: “10 minutes” + “2 minutes.”
Add a simple handoff action: “screen off → device charges here → we move.”
Resource: set two phone alarms labeled “10” and “2,” or use a visible kitchen timer.

Homework 3: Write your “calm plan” for when you feel yourself boiling
Pick a pattern interrupt you’ll use every time: step into hallway, cold water on wrists, 10-count down, slow exhale.
Practice it once when you’re not mad, so it’s there when you are.
Resource: a note on your phone lock screen: “Pause. Breathe out longer than you breathe in.”

Homework 4: Bedtime anxiety ladder (reduce reassurance over time)
Keep routine steps in the same order nightly.
Decide on a “stay time” (3 minutes), then shorten it every few nights.
Use one consistent line at the door: “I’m nearby. You can do this.”
Resource: a simple bedtime checklist your child can tick off (paper on the wall works great).

Homework 5: Use AI without letting it “parent for you”
Try a prompt that forces clarity and reduces the cheerleading:
“Give me 3 options for handling screen-off meltdowns for a child aged __. Include exact words to say, one consequence I can enforce, and what not to do. Keep it short. No pep talk.”
Resource: save that prompt as a note called “Parenting Prompt” so you don’t spiral-scroll when you’re stressed.

Bonus Homework (from the bank + Manulife moment): Make a 30-minute “family admin” file
One page: mortgage info, insurance contact, school logins, emergency contacts.
Put it in a folder labeled “If I get hit by a bus.”
Resource: shared note app doc + one printed copy.
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AI isn’t going away, and kids are already using it. So how do we protect their curiosity, critical thinking, and safety without panicking or burying our heads in the sand?
In this episode of Parents of the Year, Caroline and Andrew sit down with English professor, game developer, and AI builder Jerry White to talk about kids, teens, AI, and critical thinking. Jerry has spent years teaching college students, building AI tools for his university, and helping his own son learn to use AI well. He brings that real-world classroom and parenting experience to this conversation.
You’ll hear them unpack:
Why using AI as a ghostwriter can quietly erode learning and memory
How freewriting and “thinking on paper” before asking AI can protect kids’ brains
Practical ways to use tools like ChatGPT and mind-mapping apps without letting them become a crutch
How attention spans and learning styles have shifted with social media and constant tech
What educators can change right now: assignments, discussion boards, and assessment
Deepfakes, Character.ai, Roblox, and other risks parents and schools need to know about
Why parents must start using AI themselves to guide their kids safely
This episode is especially useful for anyone who want to help children and teens:
·       Build real critical thinking skills
·       Keep their own voice in their writing and ideas
·       Stay safer online in an AI-driven world
·       Use AI as a tool, not a replacement for their brain
About Gerry White
Gerry White is the Dean of Academic Technology at ECPI University and founder of MyTutorPlus, an AI-powered tutoring platform. With two decades at the intersection of education and technology, he creates innovative digital learning experiences, including apps and immersive AR/VR. Gerry writes and speaks about how AI reshapes education and culture, exploring its ethical and societal impacts with a balanced, thoughtful approach. His work equips educators, parents, and professionals with practical insights to navigate the evolving AI landscape while preserving critical thinking and humanity.
Resource: https://gerrywhitebooks.com/
Get in touch
https://www.instagram.com/the_gerry_white/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrywhitetech/
https://gerrywhite.tech/ 
https://www.youtube.com/@gerrywhite6197 
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Working from home with kids in the mix can feel like you’re failing at two jobs at once. 
Andrew and Caroline get real about why “balance” is a trap, and why clear boundaries work better—at home and at work. They share what actually helped in their house (the red/green door system, kid-friendly “emergency rules,” and setting kids up with non-screen activities—yes, including the legendary cardboard pirate ship that took over an entire archway). 
You’ll also hear how Caroline plans work in 90-minute focus blocks, why email can wait, and why everyone needs pockets of nothing during the day—no phone, no noise, just a reset. If your calendar is packed, your attention is shredded, and you’re trying to parent without snapping, this episode gives you language, scripts, and practical setups you can try this week.
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Phones aren’t optional anymore—and that’s exactly why families feel stuck. In this Parents of the Year episode, Andrew and Caroline sit down with MJ Murray Vachon, a licensed clinical social worker with 40 years of practice to talk about what screen overuse is doing to stress, sleep, mood, and family connection. 
MJ shares a practical way to reset family phone habits that starts with adult leadership, not kid willpower. 
You’ll hear why “phone-free time” must be truly phone-free (not just “in the backpack”), how to set boundaries that don’t turn every night into a negotiation, and how to talk with kids about the science behind dopamine, cravings, and withdrawal-like irritability. 
They also cover what to do when a child pushes back hard, why checking a child’s phone should be treated like checking the family car, and how parents can team up with other families so you’re not the only one holding the line.
If you’re looking for realistic strategies around screen time, phones, social media, and stress, this episode gives you language you can use today.
Homework Ideas
“Deepest desire” check-in (10 minutes, solo)
Write one sentence: “My deepest desire with my child is…” (not about rules—about the relationship). Keep it visible. You’ll need it when pushback hits.

Phone as supervised access (not ownership)
If your child has a phone, set the expectation: it’s a family device with supervision.
Create a predictable check-in rhythm (brief, calm, consistent) so it doesn’t feel like a “gotcha.”

Phone Use Awareness (for parents first)
Check your screen time report for a full week. Note:
Total daily hours
Top 3 apps
 Times of day you reach for it most
Journal one line a day: “What was I avoiding or soothing when I reached for my phone?”

Create Phone-Free Blocks (ACT – C)
Choose 1–2 daily blocks where all phones are away and out of reach (e.g., 5–7 pm, mealtimes, bedtime routine)
Physically store them in another room or lockbox. During those blocks, invite, don’t force:
Walks
Baking or cooking
Board game
 “Nothing time” where people can be bored and see what happens
Take Phones Out of the Bedroom (ACT – T)
Parents go first. Replace your phone with a basic alarm clock or a speaker for music/meditation if needed
Once you’ve done it for 2–4 weeks, have a family meeting: Explain the sleep and brain science (keep it simple: “Brains need dark, quiet, and no pings to reset properly.”)
Agree as a family: phones docked in a shared space overnight and/or in a lockbox.

Curate the Feed – “You Are What You Scroll”
Together, pick 3–5 things you want more of in life (e.g., art, sport, nature, comedy).
Follow accounts that actually match those values.
Unfollow / mute accounts that leave you anxious, angry, or “less than.”
Watch The Social Dilemma as a family and discuss: What surprised you? What do you want to change about how you use your phone?

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Stealing from a popular replay of Parents of the Year, Andrew and Caroline discuss goal setting with kids. Rather than assigning goals or correcting what isn’t working, this episode focuses on working with children to help them identify goals that actually feel meaningful to them. When kids have a say, they are far more likely to stay engaged and follow through.
The discussion covers how parents can use what they already know about their children — their temperament, strengths, and challenges — to guide goal setting in a way that feels achievable, relevant, and motivating.
Setting SMART Goals With Kids (Without Turning It Into a Battle)
Step 1: Start With Reflection  Before setting any new goals, take a few minutes to reflect together. Ask:
What felt easier this year than it used to?
What was hard, but you stuck with it anyway?
What are you proud of yourself for?
Step 2: Choose One Area to Focus On Start with a conversation. Ask what they want to get better at this year. Brainstorm ideas, keeping it open and pressure-free. Keep this small. One area is enough. 
Step 3: Turn It Into a SMART Goal
S – Specific What exactly are we working on? “What does that look like when it’s happening?”
M – Measurable  How will we know it’s happening? “What would we see or hear if this was going well?”
A – Achievable Is this realistic right now?“Does this feel doable, even on a tough day?”
R – Relevant Why does this matter to you? “How will this help you at school or with friends?”
T – Time-Bound What’s the time frame? “Should we try this for the next two weeks or for this month?”
Example :  “I will practice staying calm during homework by taking one break when I feel overwhelmed, at least three times a week for the next month.”
Step 4: Create One Tiny Action Step
Big goals fail when there’s no plan. Ask:
What’s one small thing you can do when this gets hard?
What’s your first move?
Step 5: Decide How You’ll Support Them
This is where adults shift into the consultant role. Ask:
What might make this hard?
How can I help when if this gets tricky?
Let your child lead this decision. 
Step 6: Track Effort, Not Perfection
Check in once a week (with curiosity rather than reminders or lectures). Focus on:
What worked
What felt hard
What you’d tweak
Celebrate effort, even when the outcome isn’t perfect.
Write the SMART goal on a card or sticky note and keep it visible!
Resources:
Goal setting blog: https://korupsychology.ca/setting-goals/
Overpowering Emotions Podcast (Episode 99 – goal setting)
Problem-solving skills: https://korupsychology.ca/develop-problem-solving-skills/
Making informed decisions:
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