28 | Has Family Time Turned Into Screen Time? 3 Ways to Reclaim Meaningful Connection With Your Teen

Does your “family time” feel like everyone’s just sitting together but living in separate digital worlds? Have screen-time battles left you feeling more disconnected from your teen than ever? What if reclaiming connection didn’t require more rules?

If your family room feels more like a collection of people staring at separate screens than a place of connection, there’s hope for change without the constant conflict.

In today’s episode, Terri shares three practical (and peaceful) ways to reclaim time with your family that build connection instead of creating power struggles. You’ll learn how to shift the focus from controlling your teen’s screen use to creating meaningful moments of presence, curiosity, and trust—because true connection isn’t built by taking things away, but by intentionally creating something better together.

You’ll discover how to:

💛 Create “Micro Moments” that open space for real connection

💛 Shift from pressure-filled “family time” to natural togetherness

💛 Lead with curiosity—not criticism—when your teen’s glued to their device

By the end, you’ll have simple, effective ways to strengthen your relationship and make time together something your teen actually looks forward to.

Resources Mentioned:

✔️ EP 14: How One Couple Used Music To Build Connection With a Teen (Greg & Kim McInturff’s story) Listen Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-conversation-starters/id1826286296?i=1000722896181

✔️ Become a Connect With Your Teens Insider:

💌 https://bit.ly/ConnectWithYourTeensInsider — Get weekly encouragement and practical tips to strengthen communication with your teen.

✔️ Join the Private Facebook Community:

💬 https://bit.ly/HowToConnectWithYourTeen — A safe space for moms learning how to communicate with their kids and encourage one another through it all. Once a month, Terri hosts a private Live Q&A Zoom call for members. The October 2025 one will focus on navigating hard, polarizing conversations with grace and connection.

💛 If this episode encouraged you or gave you hope for your relationships, would you leave a written review? Your words help other moms find this podcast and the support they’ve been praying for. Listen here on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connect-with-your-teens-parenting-teens-family/id1826286296