Screen Time: Finding The Right Balance for Our Kids; Finding Balance as Moms

 “Mommy, can I get my tablet?”

If you are a parent, you have probably heard this question more times than you count. Let’s be honest, screen time is part of our modern childhood. Tablets, phones, televisions, computers and video games are everywhere and some days, the answer to the question above is “YES PLEASE!”

Sometimes Mommy needs five minutes to finish a task or sometimes you just need to catch your breath. And that’s okay!

But the real question isn’t always “Should my child have screen time?” It's how much screen time is enough, and what are they watching and doing on the screens?”

Technology is part of their world and screen time isn’t the enemy. Our children are growing up in a digital age and learning how to use technology responsibly is important.

But there has to be some balance.

A child who spends some time watching a favorite tv show but also spends time reading, playing, talking with family, being creative and playing outside is experiencing something different than the child who spends their entire weekend or afternoon on a device.

What should they do instead?

Instead of giving them another device, we can give them choices. Try creating a list of screen-free activities they can choose from:

·       Reading

·       Draw, color or paint,

·       Build with blocks or Lego

·       Ride a bicycle

·       Play pretend outside

·       Help mom or dad with chores

·       Talk about their week

·       Call grandma/grandpa

Sometimes children say “I am bored” because they’ve become accustomed to being entertained by a screen. Boredom can give them a chance to use their imagination.

So how much screen time?

There isn’t a magic number that works perfectly for every child. Parents can create predictable screen-time boundaries. It doesn’t have to look the same every day. What matters is whether the screen is interfering with the things children need the most:

-          Sleep

-          School

-          Physical activity

-          Family time

-          Social interaction

-          Creative play

After school routines matter too. Do not let the device be the first thing they reach for when they get home. Create simple after school routines.

Home--cooloff--snack--homework--chores--screentime--dinner--shower--

Bedtime

As parents, we have to check ourselves too. GUILTY. Our children learn from what they see so we can't blame them. Children are great at noticing things. We can't tell them put down the tablets when we are on our devices. Play with them, laugh with them, create with them, have dinner with them, talk with them.

There will be days when the tablet saves the day, there will be days when the television stays on all day, there will be tiring days where you just need a minute. Those days are okay. Parenting isn’t about being perfect. It's about creating healthier habits together.

The goal isn’t no screens. The goal is balance. We need our children to know how to use technology without being heavily dependent on it. We need to teach them we don’t need screens to be entertained.

Childhood is more than what is happening on a screen. It’s creating moments and the best memories when the screen is turned off.