Screen Time, School, and Parenting in the Digital Age with Emily Cherkin and Kristen McNeely

Robyn sits down with Emily Cherkin and Kristen McNeely to talk about parenting, education, and raising kids in a world shaped by technology.

In this episode, I’m joined by Emily Cherkin, widely known as the Screen Time Consultant, along with returning guest Kristen McNeely, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, for a conversation about technology, parenting, and the growing role of screens in our kids’ lives. Emily shares how she went from being a classroom teacher to becoming an advocate for more intentional technology use, especially as EdTech became more deeply embedded in schools and everyday family life.

We talk about the complicated relationship between parents, schools, and technology. From online grading portals and student privacy to digital literacy and the pressure parents feel to constantly monitor everything, this conversation explores how difficult it can be to navigate parenting in the digital age. We also discuss the impact technology can have on child development, anxiety, attention, and emotional well-being, especially for kids who are already more sensitive or vulnerable.

One thing I really appreciated about this conversation is that it stayed rooted in curiosity rather than judgment. We talked honestly about the challenges families and educators face, while also recognizing that most people are trying to do their best in a rapidly changing world. Emily and Kristen both bring thoughtful perspectives about building trust between parents, schools, and kids, and helping children develop healthier relationships with technology over time.

We also explore the importance of allowing kids to make mistakes, reducing pressure around achievement, and approaching parenting decisions with more intentionality and less fear. By the end of this episode, I hope parents walk away feeling less overwhelmed and more empowered to make thoughtful choices that align with their family’s values.

Shared Resources:

• Kristen McNeely’s Website
• Follow Kristen on Instagram @childhood.empowered
• Emily Cherkin’s Website and Substack
• Follow Emily on Instagram @thescreentimeconsultant
• Follow Robyn on Instagram @parentingtheanxiouschild
• Parenting the Anxious Child Membership
• Sign up for Robyn’s Newsletter and find additional resources

Calm Parenting in Real Life, Supporting Anxious Kids Without Power Struggles with Kirk Martin and Kristen McNeely

Robyn talks with Kirk Martin and Kristen McNeely about anxiety, behavior, and how parents can stay calm and steady without getting pulled into power struggles.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kristen McNeely and Kirk Martin for a conversation that brings together both the emotional and behavioral sides of parenting anxious kids. Kristen returns with her dual background in therapy and behavior, and Kirk brings his perspective from the Calm Parenting approach, which focuses on staying grounded and connected even in the middle of hard moments.

We talk about what it actually looks like when kids are overwhelmed, reactive, or struggling with anxiety, and how easy it is for parents to get pulled into those moments. This conversation focuses on what it means to stay calm without shutting down, and how to respond in a way that helps your child feel safe while still holding boundaries.

Throughout the episode, we explore how behavior and anxiety often overlap, especially for kids who are already more sensitive or reactive. We also talk about how parents can shift out of power struggles and into a more steady, confident role that supports long-term growth.

If you’ve ever felt like your child’s reactions pull you into frustration or conflict, this episode will help you step back and see another way forward. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how calm, consistent responses can change the tone of your home and help your child build confidence over time.

Shared Resources:

• Kristen McNeely’s Website
• Follow Kristen on Instagram @childhood.empowered
• Kirk Martin’s Website
• Kirk Martin’s Calm Parenting Podcast
• Follow Kirk Martin on Instagram @calmparentingpodcast
• Robyn’s 6-Week Parent Cohort
• Follow Robyn on Instagram @parentingtheanxiouschild
• Parenting the Anxious Child Membership
• Sign up for Robyn’s Newsletter and find additional resources

Anxiety and Behavior, How to Understand What Your Child Is Really Showing You with Kristen McNeely

Robyn and Kristen talk about the connection between anxiety and behavior, and how parents can respond in ways that support both emotional and behavioral needs.

In this episode, I’m joined again by Kristen McNeely, and I’m so glad she’s back because this is a conversation so many parents need. Kristen brings both a therapy background and a behavior background, which makes this discussion especially helpful when we’re trying to understand what’s really going on with our kids.

We talk about something that comes up all the time for parents. When a child is struggling, it can be hard to tell what’s anxiety and what’s behavior. And more importantly, how do we respond in a way that actually helps? Kristen shares how these two things are often deeply connected, especially for kids who are anxious or who may also have ADHD.

Throughout the episode, we explore how looking at behavior alone can miss the bigger picture, and how focusing only on emotions can leave parents without clear tools. This conversation helps bring those two pieces together so parents can feel more confident in how they respond in real time.

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to figure out how to handle your child’s reactions, this episode will help you step back and see things more clearly. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of what your child’s behavior might be communicating and how to support them in a way that feels both grounded and effective.

Shared Resources:

• Kristen McNeely’s Website
• Follow Kristen on Instagram @childhood.empowered
• Robyn’s 6-Week Parent Cohort
• Follow Robyn on Instagram @parentingtheanxiouschild
• Parenting the Anxious Child Membership
• Sign up for Robyn’s Newsletter and find additional resources