Raising Teens Who Choose Real Life Over Screens

Are you frustrated watching your teen scroll endlessly… while the real world slips away?

In this episode, we tackle the tension parents feel when teen phones take over life, relationships, and mental health and how to reclaim connection when technology feels endless.

We unpack the essential shift from limiting screen time to cultivating habits that outlast it. 

We'll show you how to:

• Instill the mindset: "a phone is a tool—not a toy"

• Help your teen build daily rhythms that out compete the scroll

• Create a family vision so compelling screens become secondary

• Model self-discipline and transparency as the path to influence

We also explain how this connects to our online class, Habits for a Successful Life, designed to teach teens how to manage attention, focus, and real‑world leadership—not just entertainment.

If you’re ready to move from discipline battles to habit building, tune in now to learn how to build a household culture where vision wins over distraction—and phones serve purpose, not rule life.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Habits > Screen limits: teach creation and purpose over restriction

✅ Model what you expect: teens follow your example more than your words

✅ Transparency over secrecy hugely increases trust

✅ Vision trumps distraction: bigger goals beat addictive habits

✅ Habits for a Successful Life class gives teens tools to build lasting success

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating Technology in Family Life

03:28 The Impact of Devices on Childhood Development

05:05 Establishing Boundaries for Teen Technology Use

06:05 Finding Balance: Freedom vs. Control

10:40 The Long Game: Teaching Lifelong Technology Management

19:35 Modeling Relationships for Children

21:06 Navigating Device Usage and Trust

24:19 Fostering Self-Directed Children

26:42 Establishing Accountability and Transparency

29:33 Creating a Family Culture of Openness

31:46 Mentoring Through Life's Challenges

33:06 Balancing Consumption and Creation

34:34 Managing Notifications and Distractions

35:24 Competing for Attention Against Devices

Memorable Quote:

🗣"Technology is a tool, not a toy."

🗣"It robs them of their childhood."

🗣"This is a long-term thing."

RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.

• Enrollment is now open for the Habits For a Successful Life teen class

• How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)

• Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠

• Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠

• Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@worldschoolfamily⁠ or ⁠@greg.denning⁠

• Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!

• Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠

• Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms

• Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge 

• JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE! 

• Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe