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Q: My wife and I both actively use (and enjoy) various social media platforms. But it seems like the tech is starting to dominate our lives -- and even negatively impact our marriage. Do you have any insights?

Jim: It might sound cliche, but as in so many areas of life, the simplest solution makes the most sense: You just need to take control. In other words, manage technology instead of letting it manage you.

One way to do this is to draw up a household "mission statement" to govern your use of social media. I suggest you begin by asking yourself some basic questions, such as "What am I hoping to accomplish through [Facebook, Instagram, whatever]?" Sort these questions out together, and write down your answers in the plainest possible terms. For example: "Use Facebook to stay in touch with Mom and Dad, my siblings, cousin Frank, and Bob and Mary" or "Follow these 15Ð25 accounts on Instagram." Then post those guidelines in a prominent place -- say, the refrigerator or bathroom mirror -- and stick to them. Wherever possible, strategically limit your social media circles to your closest ties.

It's also important to set limits on the time you engage with social media -- and help each other stay accountable to those standards. Along those lines, you might find it beneficial to cut down the number of devices you're using to access your accounts.

Finally, give yourselves permission to set tech completely aside while you're doing more important things -- for example, a dinner date with your spouse or a household game night. Some families find it very helpful to have a "No-Tech Box" where phones and tablets can be laid aside voluntarily as a way of disconnecting for a while. You can probably come up with additional strategies of your own. Remember, you're in the driver's seat.

Q: I feel like my kids have no idea just how much they have to be thankful for. How can I encourage them to be grateful?

Dr. Danny Huerta, Vice President, Parenting & Youth: We could all probably stand to improve in this area since we naturally tend toward a "consumer" mindset. But research has consistently shown that genuine, ongoing gratitude helps improve emotional, mental, relational and physical health while developing key social behaviors in children.

While it takes work and attention, a few tweaks to our habits and attitudes can help our children cultivate thankfulness.

-- Model gratitude. Your children mirror what you do. Do you speak and act from a grateful mindset? Look at your circumstances through a "gratitude lens." When you do, simple things like household chores become opportunities to serve rather than inconveniences. Difficulties can become opportunities for growth.

-- Create a gratitude photo album. Take pictures of things you are grateful for throughout the year and put together a gratitude album. Have each family member share pictures of things for which they are (or can be) grateful.

-- Make a gratitude poster board. For an entire year, challenge your family to think of one new thing each day for which they're thankful. Write it on a poster board in different colors. Take turns contributing to that day's focus of gratitude, with a different member of the family writing things down.

-- Go for a gratitude walk. Take time to walk and let your mind settle on things for which you're thankful. Look around and simply appreciate what you see, experience or remember.

-- Gratefully acknowledge those who have influenced you. Who has taken time to invest in you? Who has encouraged you with words or actions? Take a moment to thank them with a note, text or phone call.

For more tips, see FocusOnTheFamily.com/Parenting.

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Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author, and president of Focus on the Family and host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at jimdalyblog.focusonthefamily.com or at Facebook.com/JimDalyFocus.

Copyright 2026 Focus On The Family. (This feature may not by reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without written permission of Focus on the Family.)

COPYRIGHT 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication. This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without the written permission of Andrews McMeel Syndication.