Would you love for your kids to play more independently? Are you worried about lasting effects from the pandemic on your kids’ well-being? Do you feel guilty about how much screen time your kids are getting, especially during the pandemic?We’re talking about all of this today with Erin O’Connor. She is the co-founder of Scientific Mommy, a resource for parents that sifts through the data and presents research in an honest, accessible, and most importantly, an evidence-based way. We’re talking about independent versus collaborative play, why independent play is a good thing (so you can stop the mom guilt!), and how to foster independent play in your kids.Erin also shares the research on how the pandemic may affect kids, including whether masks are detrimental for their development and whether we should be worried about any long-term effects from a lack of collaborative play during lockdowns.For show notes and more: https://www.modernmommydoc.com/podcast/53—Don't just survive: THRIVE!Get your Thriving, Not Surviving Guide to reclaim joy in Motherhood and learn:• Six powerful exercises to help you choose how to live and parent the way you want to.• How to boldly say "yes" to things that matter and "no" to things that don't.• How to identify intentional ways to prioritize taking care of yourself as you take care of everything else.Grab it here!