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The Danger of Black and White Thinking
In his book, Strong Religion, Gabriel Almond (plus authors) makes a case for the idea that when a society is going through seismic shifts that feel unnerving, the tendency is to double down on the past and black-and-white thinking. Many times we adopt a fundamentalist spirit, whether or not, we are religious.
The hallmarks of that fundamentalism are:
- a rejection of the threatening new ideas or technologies,
- and a desire to return to familiar ones that make a person feel safe and secure.
Black-and-white thinking leads to suspicion which creates in and out groups. Problem-solving to account for a variety of needs goes out the window.
How does this relate to home education?
In the homeschool space, sometimes we fall prey to fundamentalist thinking about education—who qualifies as a true homeschooler or we eye other educational spaces or philosophies with suspicion.
Critical thinking starts with curiosity and a willingness to dissent. It also expands to include uncomfortable perspectives in an attempt to learn from them. It means not having the comfort of certainty but the relief of having your own thoughts—even ones that don’t fit neatly into your group.
I know I’m in my black-and-white mind when I’m smug, flippant, and stop being curious about what makes someone else tick. I know I’m thinking better when I pause to wonder—why, how, what was it like for _____, and what don’t I know about this?
For more, watch the accompanying video.
Also, my book Raising Critical Thinkers offers tools to get out of black-and-white thinking.
Brave Learning: Middlers
Recently on Brave Learning…
If you have kids ages 8-10, these are especially for you!
Partnering with Your Child
Partnership Writing is the most overlooked stage of writing development. [More]
Tips for Enticing Your Children to Write
You can change how your kids feel about writing right now! [More]
How to Give Positive Writing Feedback
Let’s let our kids know that we enjoy their company, believe in their ideas, care about their success. [More]
Single Efforts Teach Profound Skills
Focus on what IS getting done. [More]
Know Your Kids as They Are
Instead of rules enforcement versus nurturing to the point of “catering to,” how about investigation and support/compassion? [More]
The Three Levels of Learning
You will see fruit in your homeschool writing program if you stay the course. [More]
Subscribe to Brave Learning on Substack where we chat, discuss, problem-solve, and create together. Here’s what you can expect: weekly themed content, freewriting prompts, and a podcast for kiddos called Monday Morning Meeting (first 6 are free)!
[Podcast #305] Can Screens Benefit the Whole Family? with Ash Brandin
Do you ever catch yourself treating screens like contraband—tolerated in tiny doses, never to be openly celebrated?
Ash Brandin, author of Power On: Managing Screen Time for the Benefit of the Whole Family, urges us to view screens as morally neutral and to focus on how they can serve the whole family’s needs.
In this Brave Writer podcast episode, Ash shares their “Screen Time ABCs”:
- Access that adapts to context rather than rigid caps
- Behavior as neutral data rather than blame
- Content choices that create better stopping points
They offer practical tactics like sticky-note reminders for Minecraft, reducing scarcity with predictable access and occasional “yes days,” using body doubling for schoolwork, and setting YouTube Kids to Approved Content Only to eliminate ads and algorithms. Ash also addresses AI, encouraging us to teach kids digital literacy and vetting skills rather than fear.
Their perspective replaces guilt with guidance, helping families connect through technology instead of fighting against it. Tune in to hear Ash’s thoughtful strategies and mindset-shifting advice.
Show Notes
Start with needs, not minutes
Ash points out that parents often ask, “Is there a right amount?” Instead of hunting for a magic number, they recommend evaluating needs and trade-offs. If an hour of Minecraft results in ninety minutes of meltdown, the exchange rate is poor. If a PBS show during a delayed dinner brings calm to the table, that’s a benefit worth naming. The goal isn’t austerity; it’s alignment—matching screen use to the people, the moment, and the mission.
Use the ABCs to guide decisions
One of Ash’s most practical tools is the “Screen Time ABCs”:
- A is for Access: When, where, and how long? Access flexes with real life. The American Academy of Pediatrics now emphasizes a family media plan over rigid time caps, a shift Ash applauds.
- B is for Behavior: Behavior is data, not judgment. A child’s outburst after gaming isn’t proof that “screens are bad”—it’s an opportunity to notice patterns, teach self-awareness, and practice regulation.
- C is for Content: Different media have different exit ramps. A Mario Kart race ends naturally; Minecraft doesn’t. Ash suggests asking, “How will you know you’re done today?” and, “What’s the first thing you’ll do when you come back?” A sticky note reminder can turn a meltdown into a manageable pause.
Reduce scarcity; increase trust
Ash reminds us that scarcity breeds desperation. Predictable opportunities—plus the occasional “yes day”—can normalize screen use and build trust. Children who know their passions are honored are more likely to accept limits without resentment.
Sit closer to their digital life
Parents don’t have to love every game to love the child who plays it. Ash encourages curiosity: peek over a shoulder, help set up a console, or ask, “What was the best part of that session?” Sometimes, body doubling—working side by side—can ease online schoolwork struggles. Even offline drafts before typing into an online portal can help.
Smart safety without panic
Ash emphasizes principle over panic. On YouTube Kids, for example, the “Approved Content Only” setting eliminates ads and the algorithm while preserving real choice through trusted channels like PBS Kids. Free apps, on the other hand, often come at the hidden cost of data, attention, or intrusive ads.
About AI (and why tone matters)
Ash is clear: AI isn’t going back in the bottle. Their advice? Teach digital literacy and emotional safety. Help kids understand what AI is (a pattern-predicting tool, not a friend), and model curiosity and vetting skills. Invite children to run an “AI audit” by asking ChatGPT about a subject they know well, then evaluate what it got right and wrong.
Ash’s work shifts the conversation from guilt to guidance. When we adopt their neutral, practical approach, we empower our families to use technology wisely and sustainably—for connection, creativity, and calm.
Resources
- Follow Ash Brandin on Instagram: @thegamereducator
- Read Power On: Managing Screen Time for the Benefit of the Whole Family by Ash Brandin
- Fall class registration is open!
- Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
- Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
- Join us at the Brave Learner Home: https://bravewriter.com/brave-learner-home
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
- Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
- Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
- Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Connect with Julie
- Instagram: @juliebravewriter
- Threads: @juliebravewriter
- Bluesky: @bravewriter.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa
- Website: melissawiley.com
- Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
- Instagram: @melissawileybooks
- Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social
Produced by NOVA
Understand the Meltdown
Do you ever wonder what to do when your child has a meltdown about homeschooling? I have a video message for you!
I made a reel on request from a morning chat I did on Instagram. Reels are not my favorite but it’s nice to give this one a permanent spot!
Watch the Video
Need more support?
Listen to the Brave Writer podcast. Literally, I talk about this stuff there every single week!
You might also read my book, The Brave Learner.
I’m here for you!
Boredom is Boring
Have you heard that children will happily entertain themselves if you leave them in their boredom?
More often than not, kids left alone will simply wander the halls of their homes like nomads and eventually turn on the TV.
Boredom is a state of “lacking vision.”
A child doesn’t know what resources are available or that they are allowed to use. They don’t have a partner, haven’t got a good grasp of how much time they can dedicate to the “thing,” and don’t know if they start a project that they’ll be allowed to leave the mess until they finish. They’re afraid of doing a bad job.
You can reverse this particular curse by being the one who:
- strews good stuff in their wake,
- supports brainstorming,
- and stays patient if it takes a while.
For example, you can set out the art materials and let them decide if the supplies feel like the right thing for today.
Boredom is not a virtue and it’s especially not meant to be punishment for not having an endless well of creativity. ALL of us need help to get out of the doldrums. Be that kind support while they sort through it!
If none of the ideas work, you can recommend “time to think” activities like:
- eating a snack (protein!),
- taking a bath,
- walking around the backyard,
- or petting the dog.
Sometimes kids need something to do while they are thinking of what to do next.
This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!
