In this special episode of From Burnout to Balance, I sit down with my son Theo for an honest conversation about one of the biggest parenting stressors of our time: screen time.

Together, they reflect on their family’s journey from strict screen limits to a more relaxed, trust-based approach, and Theo shares candid insights about what life online is really like for young people today.

From gaming and streaming to online friendships, predator safety, and even the role screens play in mental health, Theo offers a perspective many parents rarely get to hear directly from their kids.

You’ll hear about:
🌿 Why limiting screens too tightly can sometimes isolate kids.
🌿 The positives (and risks) of online communities and friendships.
🌿 How gaming builds creativity, problem-solving, and even coding skills.
🌿 Practical tips for helping kids transition off screens without battles.
🌿 Theo’s personal journey as a streamer and what he’s learned along the way.

This is a heartfelt, eye-opening episode that will help you see the online world through your child’s eyes—and maybe even ease some of your own anxieties about screen time.

Join our online From Burnout to Balance Community

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Takeaways

• Screen time can serve as an escape for children.
• It's important to balance screen time with real-life interactions.
• Parents should check in on their children's mental health related to screen use.
• Online friendships can be as significant as real-life ones.
• Children can learn valuable skills through gaming.
• Parents should educate their kids about online safety and predator awareness.
• Streaming can boost a child's confidence and self-expression.
• It's crucial to monitor the content children consume online.
• Setting reasonable screen limits is better than strict restrictions.
• Open communication about online experiences fosters trust.

Hygiene can feel simple to some, but for many neurodivergent children and teens, especially those in burnout, it can be one of the hardest daily tasks.

In this episode of From Burnout to Balance, Tanya is joined again by Laura Hellfeld, a neurodivergent nurse and parent educator, to explore the layered challenges of hygiene and how parents can support their children with compassion, creativity, and flexibility.

Together, we discuss:

• Why hygiene often becomes inaccessible during burnout.

• The role of interoception and sensory processing in everyday self-care.

• How trial-and-error, choice, and autonomy can make hygiene less overwhelming.

• Gentle, practical alternatives to showers and baths (like wipes, shower caps, and simple sensory tweaks).

• Navigating parental worries about social expectations and rejection.

• Why honouring autonomy and co-creating routines is key to building lifelong skills.

This conversation is full of validation, real-life stories, and practical ideas to make hygiene less of a battle and more of a supportive, safe experience for your child.

📌 Resources & Links:

• Follow Laura’s work and writing via Substack and her books

  ND Nurse Consulting Webpage

  Laura’s Newsletter & Articles on Substack

  Gabby’s Glimmers: An Affirming Story of an Autistic Child and their Favourite Food

  Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People, book

  LinkedIn

  Facebook

  Instagram

  BlueSky

  
  

• Explore more support inside From Burnout to Balance, Tanya’s parent membership community.

  FREE Burnout 101 mini-course - tanyavalentin.co/101

  Explore the healthcare products mentioned in this show: Simply Nootropics - https://glnk.io/ovx5q/tanyavalentinnz

  • TANYAVALENTINNZ15 to get an additional $15 off your first order

  
  

In this heartfelt episode of From Burnout to Balance, I sit down with Jade Thompson, an everyday Australian mum with an extraordinary story.

Jade opens up about her family’s journey through her son’s autistic burnout, the heartbreak of early school trauma, and the heavy weight of navigating broken systems. Instead of following conventional advice, Jade chose something different: to trust her intuition, listen deeply, and build a life centred on connection, love, and hope.

Together, we talk about:

• What it looks like to walk beside your child in burnout recovery
• The grief, confusion, and courage parents often carry
  
• Why the system—not the child—is what’s broken
• How radical honesty and love can create a new path forward

This is a conversation for any parent who has felt alone, unseen, or unsure of how to keep going.

Jade’s story is a reminder that you are not broken—and neither is your child.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
✨ Free Grief Guide for Parents
✨ Join From Burnout to Balance Membership

Check out: Simply Nootropics - Use The Coupon Code: TANYAVALENTINNZ15 and get an additional $15 off your first order.https://glnk.io/ovx5q/tanyavalentinnz

Connect with Me:
Instagram: @tanyavalentinnz
Website: tanyavalentin.co