TILT Parenting: Raising Differently Wired Kids Debbie Reber

In this special kid’s POV edition, Asher and I talk about SCREEN TIME. Like many families with children (differently-wired or not), the issue of screen time — how much, what kind, and when — is something we are constantly grappling with. And because like many other differently-wired kids, Asher is really into the games and projects he’s got going on in his virtual world, we’ve struggled to come up with an approach that feels good for Derin and me as parents while also helping Asher learn how to be more responsible for his time and behavior online (and after he shuts down).
In this episode, Asher and I detail our current approach for tracking screen time, which we co-designed in such a way that it will help him learn to track his own time, set intentions for how he will spend his time, and stay emotionally regulated both while online and when it’s time to get off. (That’s the goal anyway!). And if you want to give our approach a try, download our Screen Time Planning Worksheet below!

Things You'll Learn from This Episode:

The strategy we’re using to help Asher learn to be more responsible for his screen time, as well as support more peaceful transitions from screen to the real world

Why time warnings might actually create anxiety rather than smooth transitions

How frequent brain breaks can support healthy screen time habits

 
Resources Mentioned:

Download a PDF of Asher’s New and Improved Screen Time Planning Worksheet


The Productivity Planner from Intelligent Design

The Pomodoro Technique


Time Tracker Visual Timer and Clock from Fun and Function




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Today, we're delving into a topic that's both profound and hopeful: the harm of childhood trauma and the incredible power of resilience. Joining me on the show is Dr. Marc D. Hauser, who's here to unravel these complex topics in a way that's accessible and empowering for all parents. Through his groundbreaking work, including his new book Vulnerable Minds: The Harms of Childhood Trauma and the Hope of Resiliency, which is what we’re diving into today, Marc brings scientific evidence about childhood trauma to a broader audience and sheds light on the pathways to healing and growth.
In this conversation, we explore what constitutes a traumatic experience and why neurodivergent children may be more vulnerable to their effects, as well as ACES, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, often misunderstood but profoundly influential in shaping a child's journey. Marc helps us understand their significance in the context of resilience.
 
About Marc Hauser
Marc Hauser is a scientist, educator, author, consultant and public speaker. Hauser’s scientific research, including over 300 published papers and seven books, has focused on how the brain evolves, develops, and is altered by damage and neurodevelopmental disorders, with an emphasis on the processes of learning and decision-making, as well as the impact of traumatic experiences on development. Hauser’s educational and consulting work has focused on the implementation of quantitative, brain-based methods for teachers, clinicians, and doctors working with children who have different disabilities, including especially those that result from a history of traumatic experiences.
Hauser earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bucknell University, a PhD from UCLA and Post-doctoral fellowships from the University of Michigan, Rockefeller University, and University of California-Davis. From 1992-2011, he was a Professor at Harvard University. In 2013, he founded the company Risk-Eraser, dedicated to providing software and consulting to programs focusing on students in special education.
His most recent book Vulnerable Minds, published in March 2024 by Avery-Penguin-Random House Publishing, New York.
 
Things you'll learn from this episode

How Vulnerable Minds makes scientific evidence about childhood trauma accessible to a broader audience

How traumatic experiences are defined

The impact of trauma on neurodivergent children as well as ways in which these kids are more vulnerable to trauma

What it means for a school to be trauma-informed in action

What ACES are and how their assignment and meaning is frequently misinterpreted and misunderstood

The role of nature and nurture when it comes to whether other not an experience results in trauma or is met with resiliency

 
Resources mentioned for the Harm of Childhood Trauma and the Hope of Resiliency

Dr. Marc D. Hauser’s author website


Vulnerable Minds: The Harms of Childhood Trauma and the Hope of Resiliency by Dr. Marc D. Hauser

International Children’s Aid Network (iCAN)

Marc Hauser on X

Marc Hauser on Instagram

Marc Hauser on Linkedin

Marc Hauser on Facebook

Dr. Vincent Falliti

Stephen Porges and Polyvagal Theory


The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Health and Development in Young Children (National Institute of Health Study)


The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, MD


What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey


Kelly Mahler on Understanding and Supporting Kids’ Interoception Experience (Tilt Parenting Podcast)


Lori Desautels on Shifting Educational Systems Toward Post-Traumatic Growth (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

Revelations in Education, Dr. Lori Desautel’s website


Intentional Neuroplasticity: Our Educational Journey Towards Post Traumatic Growth by Dr. Lori Desautels

 
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Former teacher, reading specialist, teacher and parent educator, and coach, Heidi Nord, joins the show for a conversation about dyslexia.
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Parent coach Zach Morris joins Debbie to answer a listener question about whether or not to relocate from a big city to a less stressful environment and one with access to nature, in order to preemptively support a child's mental health.
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In a world overflowing with information and complexity, critical thinking isn't just a useful skill; it's an essential life raft. From navigating complex interactions to making informed decisions, our children need the ability to think critically now more than ever. But what does that really mean? And how can we as parents nurture this skill in our children? I invited author and Brave Writer founder Julie Bogart back to the show to help us answer these questions and to talk about her new book, Becoming a Critical Thinker: A Workbook to Help Students Think Well in an Age of Disinformation.
In this conversation, we got into so many things. And as you’ll hear, I could have talked to Julie for hours. But for this episode, you can expect to hear Julie’s thoughts on how and why we can foster critical thinking in our children, how considering multiple perspectives and incorporating diverse viewpoints leads to better problem-solving, what parents can do to encourage self-awareness, open-mindedness, and curiosity, and much more.

About Julie Bogart
Julie Bogart is known for her common sense parenting and education advice. She’s the author of the beloved book, The Brave Learner, which has brought joy and freedom to countless home educators. Her new book, Raising Critical Thinkers, offers parents a lifeline in navigating the complex digital world our kids are confronting.
Julie’s also the creator of the award-winning, innovative online writing program called Brave Writer, now 22 years old, serving 191 countries. She home educated her five children, who are globe-trotting adults. Today, Julie lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and can be found sipping a cup of tea while planning her next visit to one of her lifelong-learning kids.

Things you'll learn from this episode

Why critical thinking is essential to navigate complex issues and make informed decisions

How considering multiple perspectives and incorporating diverse viewpoints leads to better problem-solving and policy-making

How parents can play a crucial role in fostering critical thinking skills in their children by encouraging self-awareness, open-mindedness, and curiosity

Why traditional models of authority and obedience in parenting are being replaced by a more collaborative and respectful approach that values children's reasoning and autonomy

How the Becoming a Critical Thinker workbook helps students develop skills such as vetting sources, analyzing data, and considering multiple perspectives

Why engaging in perspective-taking and tolerance can help neurodivergent kids deconstruct ideas and accept other points of view

 
Resources mentioned for Helping Kids Become Critical Thinkers

Julie Bogart’s Brave Writer website

Julie Bogart’s Blog at Brave Writer

Brave Writer Writing Blitz

Brave Writer Podcast


Becoming a Critical Thinker: A Workbook to Help Students Think Well in an Age of Disinformation by Julie Bogart


Raising Critical Thinkers: A Parents’ Guide to Growing Wise Kids in the Digital Age by Julie Bogart


The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life by Julie Bogart

Julie Bogart on Instagram

Julie Bogart on Facebook

Julie Bogart on Twitter


Julie Bogart on Moving Through Writing Resistance for Differently Wired Kids (Tilt Parenting podcast)

Herman Kahn

Noam Chomsky


The Vow (HBO Documentary series)


Killing Us Softly documentary (Jean Kilborne)

 
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Tilt Parenting founder Debbie Reber shares the story behind creating Tilt — why she developed it, what her vision is, and what she hopes Tilt will do in the world.
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