The worldwide gathering of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as General Conference, is October 5-6. If you intend to watch with your family, there are things you can do to make the experience more meaningful.

Friend of the show Maria Eckersley shared ways you can capture your kid’s attention during the sessions. She also shared things you can do to help your family engage in higher learning all year round. Whether that’s teaching a religious principle, morals, or manners, Maria’s ideas are relatable and impactful for both the little and big kids.

To see how to pull of these activities in your home, visit Maria’s YouTube page.

Read more here: https://studio5.ksl.com/build-general-conference-fort-creative-ways-fun/

Are you feeling it, too? People say they're experiencing an Olympics withdrawal. For two weeks, the world was united through sport. We cried together, laughed together, and cheered together... but it doesn't have to end there.

Psychologist Dr. Tom Golightly called out five ways we can carry the Olympic spirit into our daily lives. These are values and principles we learned through the screen that can make us better - better parents, better friends, better community members, and more.

Read more here: https://studio5.ksl.com/after-olympic-high-lessons-carry-everyday-life/

This time of year can seem crazy and chaotic, it can be a powerful and productive time of year, too. A time to harness your inner strength and really make things happen.

Professional organizer Jenny Layton calls mid-August through October a woman’s power season. Whether you’ve been wanting to tackle a new house project or start maybe on your own health journey right now, she says now is the perfect opportunity to set goals that took a backseat during the summer break and be more productive.

Find more advice from Jenny on Instagram, @jlthehappygal.

Read more here: https://studio5.ksl.com/chaotic-months-more-productive-get-stuff-done/

When we’re overwhelmed, we may overlook the simple things we can do to lighten the load. The start of the school year can definitely feel overwhelming with things to do and places to be.

Lisa Andersen shared how to take a step back and start small to start the year smart.

You can follow Lisa on Instagram at @justlisaandersen for more inspiration.

Read more here: https://studio5.ksl.com/kids-choose-bedtime-start-the-school-year-smart/

This back-to-school week can feel like one giant heart squeeze. They say we get 18 summers with our children, and another one has already come and gone. It’s enough to make us moms weep. From first to second grade or high school to college, it can be sad to see the time move so quickly.

Studio 5 Parenting Contributor Heather Johnson helped us find our footing. She shared how we can feel emotionally steady during this time of transition.

Read more here: https://studio5.ksl.com/back-to-school-blues-stay-emotionally-steady/

Maybe you have the back-to-school blues, or maybe you’re thrilled for a fresh start. Either way, we’re here to ensure your family starts the semester strong.

Educational Consultant Michelle Love-Day shared three ways to do it.

Read more here: https://studio5.ksl.com/get-involved-with-school-start-the-semester-strong/

At this point of summer, it's easy to fall back on screens and let the kids watch TV and movies more than we'd like them to. But, a good book could be motivation enough to keep your teens and tweens reading!

Provo City Librarian Joella Bagshaw shares seven books kids will love so much - they may even go screen free!

Read more here: https://studio5.ksl.com/down-screen-up-good-read-books-for-tweens/

In today’s digital age, the question of when and how to introduce children to social media is a hot topic among parents.

Celebrity couple Chip and Joanna Gaines have set a hard stance. “Our house rule is you get social media the summer before you go to college. So, we have that time to kind of work through things,” Joanna told Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on Today’s 3rd hour.

They aren’t alone. Actress and TV host Drew Barrymore says no to phones. She passionately expressed to her live studio audience, “It is amazing to have wanted so badly for my kids to love me and to love their environment and feel safe, and none of us want our children to resent us, and we don’t want to be their enemy. It is such a hard choice to say, I don’t care if you hate me for this. I don’t care if you’re mad at me for this. I know that I’m doing the right thing by you and I accept your anger.”

The research supports the celebrities concerns too. The book, “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt has been at the center of this conversation. The author claims the decline of a play-based childhood and the rise of a phone-based childhood has contributed largely to the significant increase in anxiety and depression among young people. He advises parents to hold off on smartphones until high school and say no to social media until 16.

But what is the everyday mom doing with this somewhat new, concrete information?

In a recent roundtable discussion with three mothers we admire, friends of the show Kelly Jensen, Emily Bell McCormick, and Shima Baughman shared their experiences and perspectives on social media use and phone privileges in their homes.