The Parent Who Says No
(and Means Yes to What Matters)
You’ve said the things no one else wants to say.
Phones in the basket.
Devices off at dinner.
Game-free playdates.
Messes welcome.
“No, not yet.”
It sounds simple enough.
You’re trying to raise kids who feel present in the moment.
Connected to real life—not just digital distractions.
But in a world where screens run the show…
being that parent can feel incredibly awkward.
You say no when other parents say yes.
You hold a boundary when everyone else shrugs.
You watch your kid pout—and wonder if you’re being too harsh.
It’s uncomfortable.
Not because you don’t care.
But because you care so much it hurts.
Modern parenting feels like a constant tug-of-war. Everywhere you go, there’s a screen. Every conversation competes with a notification. Every moment feels interrupted.
And as a parent—you feel it.
That guilt when you say no—and no one else does.
That fear your kid’s being left out.
That feeling when you’re all together, but no one’s really there.
You’re overwhelmed by what’s "normal” and tired of feeling like the only one questioning it.
You want to raise your kids with freedom and presence.
But the world keeps fighting back—
and it’s exhausting.
This is the tension we live in.
But here’s what I’ve learned—awkward doesn’t mean wrong.
It often means brave.
Because parenting today takes a different kind of courage.
Not just courage to protect your kids from harm—
but the courage to go against the grain for their good.
To value presence over peace.
Connection over convenience.
To say no when it’s easier to say yes.
To hold a line when everyone else lets it go.
That’s what makes you that parent.
And it’s exactly what your kids need most right now.
So if you’ve been doubting yourself—
here’s what that parent says:
“Phones go in the basket.”
“Dinner is for us—not for screens.”
“Our playdates are game-free.”
“You can walk to your friend’s. I trust you.”
“No, not yet—and that’s okay.”
“Yes, make a mess. That’s how memories are made.”
One day, your kids will look back and while they might not remember every time you said “no"...
They will remember:
The way you listened at dinner.
The freedom of walking to a friends house.
The permission to make a mess.
The feeling of being chosen over a screen.
So yeah—be that parent.
In a culture obsessed with fitting in, your kids need someone brave enough to stand apart.
That someone…
is you.
Take the first step. Say yes to one real-life moment today.
That’s how presence begins—and that’s more than enough.
I'm Christopher Sciullo, creator of the H.E.A.L. Method. I help parents balance their own tech use while guiding kids toward healthier screen habits—so we can all rediscover the wonder of life beyond the screen.