I Won’t Feel Bad About Screen Time

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Let’s talk about screen time. This term has only recently popped up to describe how we engage with all our gadgets. As parents, we don’t want our kids to grow up glued to screens, but let’s be honest, sometimes we need a break—especially when facing those tough parenting moments.

Picture this: you’re waiting at the doctor’s office with a fidgety toddler, or you’re trying to cook dinner while dodging a barrage of questions. It’s in these moments that screens become our unsung heroes, giving us a breather and allowing us to regroup.

But then there are those other times when the kids are simply asking for your phone or the gaming console. It becomes a gray area. You want to say yes because it’s easier, but guilt creeps in because, well, it’s a screen.

Understanding the Guilt

What’s with all the guilt surrounding screen time? It feels like there’s an unspoken rule that if you rely on screens to keep your kids occupied, you might not be doing a great job as a parent. We often find ourselves justifying our choices: “Only X minutes a day,” “Only on weekends,” or “Only when I’m about to lose it.”

Let’s face it, screens have always been around, but today’s technology is a different animal. We’re the first generation of parents dealing with tablets, smartphones, and social media, making it hard to rely on the wisdom of the past—“It was fine for me, so it’s fine for them.”

Questions We All Have

We have so many questions: What’s the long-term impact of screen time? Will our kids struggle with real-life relationships? Are they going to express themselves with emojis instead of words? It’s a lot to unpack, and yeah, it’s scary.

Sometimes, every time we allow screen time, it feels like we’re paving the way for our kids to miss out on real-life experiences. We want to keep it in check, so we don’t feel like we’re taking the easy way out as parents. And that guilt? It can be overwhelming.

Our Family Approach

In our household, we don’t have strict screen time limits. My philosophy is to keep it reasonable. My kids can access screens when they want, and we also enjoy watching shows and playing games together as a family. I have a soft spot for retro games.

Instead of vilifying screens, we focus on showing our kids the vast world beyond them and emphasize real-life connections over virtual ones. But there are times when the guilt sneaks back in. I might threaten to take away screens or set inconsistent limits, acting out of fear rather than logic.

I have to remind myself that as a family, we’re engaged and active. Sure, my kids sometimes resort to screens when they’re bored, but who can be creative and engaged every single moment? I know I can’t.

Finding Balance

I’m done feeling guilty about screen time. My kids lead well-rounded lives, and sometimes I just need the easier option. I believe a balanced approach to screen time works better than strict limits. After school, my kids will come home, grab a snack, and probably dive into video games or TV—sometimes at the same time—and I’m completely okay with that.

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Conclusion

In summary, it’s all about finding a balance with screen time. It’s okay to embrace the moments when screens provide a much-needed break, knowing that our kids are still leading rich, fulfilling lives.