Blake Family Consulting

11/02/2026

“No phone or a smartphone” isn’t the only choice.

There’s a whole middle path between no phone and a smartphone, and most families don’t realize how many options they have.

📞 A Wi-Fi landline lets kids call friends from home.

📱 A locked-down tablet can work well for 6th grade and up. Strip it down to FaceTime and texts only. Remove the internet browser, the App Store and games. Keep it in a shared space.

☎️ A basic flip phone covers calls and texts on the go.

⌚ A kids smartwatch puts calls, texts and location on their wrist.

✅ A tech-wise kids phone adds a little more, with no browser, no social media and no open app store.

The smartphone is the most distracting option of all. It’s worth waiting for until at least the end of 8th grade.

And when you do say yes, you don’t have to say yes to everything at once. Hold off on social media until 16. Set time limits. Require a password for app downloads. Consider turning off the internet browser at first through parental controls. Then add freedoms as your child shows they’re ready.

Find our full list of smartphone alternatives at waituntil8th.org.

10/07/2026

Ever wonder what the difference is between custody and parenting time? Check out the full guide here: https://tinyurl.com/SBMPTGuide

08/08/2026

Wednesday, August 19 at CARE House:

Join us for an afternoon of carnival-style games, activities, and ice cream centered around teaching children and families the 5 Safety Rules every child should know!

Register at the link below!

08/04/2026

While you're always welcome to call us at 248-290-8090, working in the family court system means that communication is often subject to timelines, documentation requirements, and court scrutiny. To ensure every caller receives the same process and every communication is properly documented, all incoming calls are now routed directly to voicemail.

Our administrative team monitors voicemail Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and returns calls as promptly as possible. For privacy and documentation purposes, calls without a voicemail message will not be returned.

07/30/2026

One of the biggest mistakes I see in high conflict custody cases isn't always obvious. In fact, many well-intentioned parents make it without realizing the long-term impact.

Kerisma Reed explores why good intentions don't always lead to good outcomes, and covers what children actually need instead.

Written by Kerisma Reed, LLMSW-ClinicalWhen family dynamics change, children naturally search for an explanation. They try to make sense of the changes happening to and around them. Their routines are altered, sometimes their home changes, and the family they have always known no longer looks the sa...

07/30/2026

This fall we will begin offering the Parenting with Love and Logic course to assist families that are working through the difficult parts of parenting.

This six week course, facilitated by Kerisma Reed, LLMSW-Clinical, is designed to provide parents with valuable tools and strategies and addresses the following:
*Putting an End to Arguing Back-Talk and Begging
*Teaching Responsibility without Losing Their Love
*Setting Limits Without Waging War
*Avoiding Power Struggles
*Guiding Kids to Own and Solve their Problems
*Teaching Kids to Complete Chores without Reminders and Without Pay

06/23/2026

Here's my box breathing handout for kids!

Written by Lauren Blake, MA, LMFT1. Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds.2. Hold for 4 seconds.3. Breathe out slowly for 4 seconds.4. Hold for 4 seconds.5. Repeat at least 4 times. Have you ever noticed your heart racing before a test? Felt your face get hot when someone was upset with you? Ha...

06/08/2026

Check out our first blog post! Utilizing 'Power Sharing' as an intervention moves families away from a punishment-based approach and instead places freedom in the hands of children by linking it directly to demonstrated responsibility.

Written by Lauren Blake, MA, LMFTParents and children can easily become trapped in power struggles. The content of the conflict may vary from family to family, but the underlying dynamic is often similar. A child pushes for more independence, a parent responds with increased control, the child pushe...

03/19/2026

Our mailing address has changed!

429 South Main Street
Rochester, Michigan 48307

03/08/2026