Screen Time… UGH!
Happy Thursday! You made it!
Let’s be honest, how our kids engage with technology is likely the most common parenting challenge of our time. And like most parenting questions, there isn’t one right answer. What works for one family won’t work for another.
As my kids were growing up, some of our biggest power struggles were about screen time. When, what kind, and how much… everything was hard. Eventually, we found a balance that worked (most days), but it took time, missteps, and lots of hard conversations.
This week, I’m not giving you rules. Instead, I’m offering a handful of questions to help you clarify your family’s approach to technology.
Adult Screen Use
How do you model tech habits?:
Do you take your phone around the house with you?
Are phones out during meals or at bedtime?
Do your kids see you engaged in non-screen-based hobbies?
How Much, When & Where:
Do time limits make sense for your family? Can you consistently enforce them?
Are there tech-free zones in your home? (Ex. No screens in bedrooms)
Where do devices get plugged in at night?
What Are They Doing?
What’s allowed on screens? Do you differentiate between watching, gaming, learning, and creating?
How do you monitor their online activity?
What safety measures are in place to protect your kids from themselves and from online dangers?
Are rules different if they’re engaging with friends?
Real World Strategy: No matter your children’s age, write down your screen time agreements and the consequences for not following them. There’s no room for mind-reading or guessing games. Put it all in black and white. If you need help, we can work on it together.
🌊Want to dive deeper? To learn more about problem-solving with your kids about screen time (and everything else), check out Parenting in the Real World: Solve the Real Problem (Level 2, Course 7, Section 2).
📚Resource of the Week: Savvy Cyber Kids helps parents and teachers educate children on cyber safety, cyber ethics, and other aspects of their daily digital lives. Savvy Cyber Kids offers a platform of FREE educational resources for families with children from preschool through high school. Be sure to check out the Free Educational Resources for Families download, too!
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👋 Need More Support?
If screen time battles feel never-ending, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to do this alone. Reach out here. Parenting doesn’t have to be this hard.
You’ve got this. And I’ve got you.
Cari
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