Family Advocate April 2019

A publication of Sheridan House Family Ministries

1700 South Flamingo Road • Davie, FL 33325 • (954) 583-1552 • www.SheridanHouse.org

April 2019

SheridanHouse

Honoring Christ by Serving the Needs of Children and Families

As humans, we have the great ability to think and analyze information. This is a huge gift, but we actively give it away as we mindlessly scroll through our phones, often looking up and being shocked by how much time has gone by! The digital world often controls us. One of the most important things we can do is take back technology!

We need to be wise with what we look at and for how long. The same goes for our children, and as parents, we need to teach them. We certainly wouldn’t give the car keys to our nine year old! So why do we give them so much freedom with their own phone or tablet?

Technology is an incredible tool, but like any tool, it becomes dangerous if we don’t know how to use it. Protect yourself and your children and guard against the dangers of our devices.

the more screen time he/she will get. A kid who has access to all of them could be in front of a screen for more than seven hours a day! Therefore, if he/she sleeps for nine hours a day and goes to school for six hours, that would leave just two hours for everything else, including meals and bathing.

85

31

%

35

%

71

%

%

19

%

73

%

of moms look at their phone hourly

66

25

%

say it is a reflex rather than a decision

%

check their phone every ten minutes or so

Have you considered some of the dangers?

Many of these are already happening to elementary students!

Technology Addiction

Pornography & Sexting

let their child have screen time so they can do other tasks, like making dinner or doing laundry

let their child have screen time when they need time for themselves

Cyber Bullying say screen time seems to help their child feel better after a bad day

Online Predators

Disguised Apps

of moms use screen time as a reward

Depression and Low Self-Esteem

Identity theft

let their child have screen time to help them calm down*

*Data collected from MOM Magazine, April 2019

Fact:

More than a third of kids who have their own phone got it before their sixth birthday.

There are several ways you can take control over your devices: • Set up your phone to monitor how much time you spend on it, then work to decrease your phone usage • Have an accountability partner who calls you out when you shouldn’t be on your phone • Intentionally leave your devices in a different room while visiting friends or doing work God tasks all parents with raising their children to know God and to be prepared for what they’ll face on this earth. That includes technology, even if phones and tablets weren’t invented when the Bible was written!

It’s hard for us to put our phones down, so it’s clear it will be difficult to teach our kids to do the same, but whoever said parenting would be easy? Here are some things to remember: 1. Don’t expect them to like it. Since you know this, you won’t be surprised when they’re upset.

2. Talk with them. It is vital that you keep up conversation with your kids so they understand the dangers involved with technology and so they learn how to use their devices properly. How will they learn if you don’t teach them?

#1 Parents must lead by example. Show kids how to use technology wisely, such as when to use it, where, and for how long. If you are teaching your child not to use a device at the dinner table, don’t use yours there either! #2 Parents must give them exposure. Work together to limit technology so you can support your child. During family time or while you and your child are talking, agree to put both your phones aside and not look at them. #3 Parents need to let them gain experience. After making time expectations clear, put the responsibility on them to get off their device at the right time. If they do not, consistently implement the predetermined consequence. #4 Encourage! When your children display responsibility with their devices, let them know they’ve done a great job!

Words of affirmation help children instill what is and is not expected from them.

Technology is all around us, and it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. That means we need to prepare our kids so they know how to use their devices wisely and safely. At Sheridan House, the boys in the high school house are able to earn the privilege to bring their phone during the week, but there are clear guidelines the boys know. If they don’t, the boys receive consequences. Yes, the residential program seems to focus on the boys’ external behavior -- their willingness to follow the rules, but throughout the process, the house parents and behavior specialist talk with the boys about why rules are important.

• No devices allowed in the bedroom • Phone must be locked away inaccessible to the boy at night.

• The boys must immediately give access to their device if an adult requests it.

If we don’t attempt to help them make changes where it really matters -- internally, on a spiritual level -- then we are merely teaching them to jump through hoops. Our job is to introduce the boys and their families to Jesus Christ. He makes the changes that really matter, changing them from the inside out.

Become a Monthly Investor

of teens worry they spend too much time using cell phones

of parents worry about their teen using phones too much

Too Much?

of parents agree they also have a problem with spending too much time on their phones of teens say their parents are distracted by their phones when they want to have conversation with them* *Data collected on March 3, 2019 from https://www.forbes.com/sites/larrymagid/2018/08/22/ majority-of-teens-say-they-spend-too-much-time-on-cellphones-and-parentsagree/#315a1bdd9b30

www.shfm.org Enclosed envelope Use it to send your gift.

Go online

and make a recurring or one-time donation at www.sheridanhouse.org/give. If you need assistance, we can guide you through the process. Call 954-583-1552.

Gift Planning

As a monthly investor your gift helps provide: Children’s Homes for dealing with behavioral and emotional problems

Counseling Services

to help families and marriages stay on the right path

Life Skills, Training and Support

for single moms and their children

is about making a lasting impact for God’s Kingdom. It shows your children and your grandchildren, “This is what our family does.” It’s not about lifting yourself up, but about training the next generation.

For more information on giving, please visit www.sheridanhouse.org

SheridanHouse

1700 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33325 (954) 583-1552 • sheridanhouse.org

So many questions cross our minds throughout the day. Some are easy (blue or red shirt today?) and some are incredibly difficult (why did this have to happen to me?). This year, Sheridan House is taking some tough questions and providing the answers all of us need, basing them on the truth from God’s word. Check out every issue to read the answer to each month’s question!

Am I really in control of all my devices?

Your contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (1-800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. Sheridan House Family Ministries registration number is CH24786.

Jessica realized that if she made the trip to Sheridan House, she would not have enough gas to get by until she got her next paycheck.

As she debated going or not, Jessica remembered all the ways God had provided for her over the years and felt there was no reason why He would not come through again. While many would consider this decision foolish, she focused on the truth that with God all things are possible.

Jessica was able to concentrate on the class and wait patiently for God to make His move, and boy did He! At the end of the class, Jessica was just one of many moms

Jessica’s Story

randomly selected to receive a giveaway and of all things,

Jessica was looking forward to the upcoming Sheridan House single mom training class.

The following day, when Jessica called to share her story,

She knew the class topic, Gaining Your Child’s Respect,

to share stories like this are so wonderful but it is an even

would be especially beneficial to her parenting journey with

greater joy to be able to point to the God of miracles and

a teenage girl. As the day of the class approached,

give Him all the glory!

hers just happened to be a gas card!! she was so excited to tell of God’s goodness! To be able