Hello friendly faces! It’s a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law. It just so happens that the first Meet a Mom of 2025, just days after a long, “screen”-filled winter break, has a super relevant focus, a subject that may just enrich the lives of your family – but not without a little hard work.
Yes, this week’s Meet a Mom is a Glencoe mom, nurse and screen sanity advocate, Hannah Pickett. We spoke with Hannah about all things smartscreen related, and about the international nonprofit that’s gaining fast momentum here on the North Shore, thanks to Hannah!
Through her work with Screen Sanity, Hannah helps parents guide their children in navigating the digital world. When she’s not busy with work or advocacy, Hannah enjoys visiting local gems like Hometown Coffee and the Glencoe Public Library, and exploring the Green Bay Trail with her son. With her unique perspective as a millennial mom, Hannah is dedicated to fostering resilience and balance for families in today’s tech-driven world. Read on to learn more about Hannah’s journey from the southwest plains of Kansas to the hustle and bustle of Chicago via Lollapalooza, and how you and your family can get take back a little screen sanity! Welcome, Hannah!
Hi Hannah! Please introduce yourself and your family.
Hi! I’m Hannah, I am a single mom living in Glencoe! I grew up in a smaller town in the southwest plains of Kansas known for its diversity and large beef manufactures. I moved to Chicago after college and then (somewhat randomly) landed in Glencoe! I have one son, who is 7. He is my little comedian, with a huge heart, thoughtful nature, and a resilient personality. He loves baseball, swimming, playing Uno, riding his bike, and wrestling!
What are one or two fun facts to know about you?
I decided to move to Chicago after attending Lollapalooza years ago. I fell in love with the city! I had the good fortune of traveling to many places and had learned how to navigate on a budget (a necessity for a young nurse). When I flew up for my interviews in Chicago, I decided to stay solo in a hostel downtown. It was odd getting ready for interviews in a communal bathroom! In the end, it all worked out, I landed a job in the Emergency Department at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
What are your favorite local places, spaces and eats to frequent (the more the better here)?
Hometown Coffee in Glencoe – Always delicious with a welcoming community vibe!
Glencoe Public Library – We love their cozy fireplaces, amazing children’s section, and friendly staff!
Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant (Hubbard Woods) – The patio and margaritas are a go-to for summer months.
Spirit Elephant (Hubbard Woods, Winnetka) – Their plant-based menu and take on an Old Fashioned (named the Elephant in
the Room) are a refreshing change of pace.
Pescadero (Wilmette) – Cozy & classic- Love going for oysters and the Brussels Chips!
Green Bay Trail – Nothing is better than a destination bike ride on the trail to Ravinia or the Botanic Garden.
What are you reading and watching?
When I have time to unwind, I tend to watch shorter apartment and house tours on YouTube… Homeworthy, Architectural Digest and Apartment Therapy are some of my go-to channels.
I love reading! Some of are my recent favorites are: “The Women” by Kristin Hannah- about the female Nurses who went to Vietnam War; “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt- A feel-good, unique story with twists to keep you turning pages; “Digital Minimalism” by Cal Newport opened my eyes and helped me reset on my relationship with technology; learning skills to manage my use and not allow technology to manage me; “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt also made an incredible impact on me. The book highlights the correlation between screen time and social media with the rise in childhood anxiety and depression.
What’s one piece of professional advice you’ve gotten OR that you give to others?
It’s okay to find passion outside of work. Having a job that fills you up is important, as a Nurse I thoroughly love meeting and helping people from all walks of life, but I’ve learned there is so much more to me, and what I want in life, than my career. Time moves quickly, children are only small once, the people in your lives now won’t always be there. So, work your job, do it well, but appreciate and make time for your personal life to happen.
You’re mantra…
Be the change you wish to see in the world but remember radical acceptance. There are things in life, situations, people, outcomes, that you simply cannot control and by trying to do so, you will drive yourself crazy. Radical acceptance is not giving up, it’s about learning to focus your energy on things within your control and letting go of the other stuff.
Let’s get down to business. Please introduce the organization that you’re passionate about, Screen Sanity. What is it?
Screen Sanity is an international nonprofit that equips parents to be mentors and guides, so kids grow up happy and healthy in an increasingly digital world. They offer a variety of tips, tools, and trainings, all designed to help families maximize the benefits of technology while minimizing the harmful side effects.
I’m here for it! What was the impetus behind starting Screen Sanity?
Screen Sanity was started in 2018, by three moms in Kansas City. Their children were starting to utilize screens more and they were looking for some information and best practice ideas on how to manage it. They quickly realized there wasn’t much out there. They developed Screen Sanity, and it now reaches to all corners of the world helping communities come together, learn, and support each other so we can help our children develop healthy relationships with technology.
Betty Weir, Director of Professional Learning for Glencoe District 35 and Hannah Pickett during a recent Screen Sanity Parent Night event.
And your role with Screen Sanity?
I consider myself and “Screen Sanity Advocate.”
I was introduced to Screen Sanity by my very good friend Monica Rondeau who is now Screen Sanity’s Pediatric Provider Program Manager. Monica is helping to pilot a program specific to Pediatric Healthcare Providers in the Kansas City area (with hopes to expand throughout the country in the future). The pilot helps to supply pediatric offices and providers with a tool kit, informational posters, and guides on speaking with patients and their families surrounding their screen use and healthy ways to manage it during their visits.
Monica and I graduated from The University of Kansas School of Nursing together. Prior to Screen Sanity becoming forefront in our lives, we had many conversations about what we were seeing in our day to day, our concerns surrounding iPhone/iPad’s, and how this was all playing out. I immediately wanted to get involved and learn more about Screen Sanity!
Now my mission is to share Screen Sanity and the resource’s it provides with others. I’ve assisted with hosting two Parent Night events in my own community and several more are in the works in surrounding towns.
What do you see are the top hot button issues when it comes to screen time, social media use, smart phones, etc.
I think we all have recognized, to some extent, the negative effects phones and social media are having on our children. Children seem to be developing less “soft skills” such as eye contact, engaging conversations, and imaginative play/creativity. Social media, apps, iPhone’s, are all developed with the intention to keep us engaged, or frankly, “addicted.” You place that in the hands of a child, who’s brain is still actively developing,
hormones are fluctuating, and life’s foundational skills have yet to be constructed and you’re up against a huge force. Honestly, it’s bigger than any parent, no matter how great and involved you are (so stop beating yourself up!)
I’m considered a Millennial…. I believe my generation has a unique viewpoint on the digital world. We had childhoods that were, for the most part, screen free, however, we now also rely on screens daily, both personally and professionally. We are the last generation that can really see both sides of the coin. We are in a blip of time where creating change is crucial.
Society can’t keep plowing ahead the way things are now and expect our children to figure this out on their own. Kids need guidance and direction; from the feedback I’ve received, so do parents… at least when it comes to this new digital space.
Screen Sanity helps pull communities together, to talk, share ideas, share challenges, offer possible solutions and resources to hopefully help create a world where kids (and parent’s) can experience life fully and utilize screens in a more conscientious and thoughtful way.
Any stats you want to share?
For a wealth of statistics on this subject I recommend visiting Jonathon Haidt’s website, theanxiousgeneration.com. He does an incredible job of showcasing numbers, creating quick visuals related to mental health trends and phone use.
A Lot has changed in the last couple of years, and it seems like parents are finally banning together to make positive changes for the kids mental health with regards to screens. Can you elaborate on this?
Yes! Parents and local communities are ready to create new “norms” and are making it happen! I feel very fortunate for how responsive, engaged, and supportive Glencoe District 35 was when I reached out. They recognize the acute challenges our children are facing when it comes to digital health and have stepped up to help establish change and raise awareness.
Our two Screen Sanity Parent Night events have had great turnouts with an overwhelming positive response from participants! Parents are making
time to show up, engage, ask questions, and support each other and their children! My hope is that more communities in the North Shore and beyond, can learn about this program and share the information with other families and community leaders. It provides a place to start; a launching pad for conversation and change to happen.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Screen Sanity?
Visit Screen Sanity’s website (screensanity.org), it’s a phenomenal wealth of information! You can search by topics, such as: Smartphone, Video Games, Screen Time, Pornography, Digital Health 101. They also provide age specific “Plugged in Planners,” Parent Guides, Babysitter Guides, and a Video Game decision tree, all meant to help provide information and tips on how to best navigate the digital world for you and your family.
If you’re interested in coordinating a Screen Sanity event in your community, there are links to both their Group Study and Parent Night Kit program. I am also happy to continue the conversation and assist parents and communities in finding the tools they need. My email is: [email protected]. We’re in this together!
About our Meet of Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
