In our household, we don’t watch much television, so I began to feel overconfident about monitoring my family’s screen time. However, when I took a moment to record how and when we were using our devices, it became clear that we needed to take control of our tech habits. Here are some moments that made me rethink our digital engagement:
- Chargers at the Dinner Table
The most convenient outlet in our kitchen is conveniently placed next to the dining table. As a result, we often have a phone or tablet plugged in while we’re trying to enjoy a meal together. The constant notifications—“Ding,” “Buzz,” “Ping”—really don’t enhance our family dinner conversations. - Video Calls with Grandma at Dinner
Getting the kids to sit still for a Skype call with their grandma is always a challenge, but when they’re seated with a bowl of food, they’re more likely to stay put. Unfortunately, our family dinners often turn chaotic with technical difficulties. “We can’t hear you!” “What?” “Turn on your mic!” “Can we just watch a movie instead?” - Kids on Pinterest but Not Really
I was excited to see my daughters fascinated by costume ideas on Pinterest until they stumbled onto some less-than-appropriate content. One moment they were admiring a mermaid costume, and the next—oh no! Thankfully, they were both shocked enough to shut down the iPad. - Expensive Piano Lessons
My kids love music, so my husband and I thought watching piano tutorials on the iPad would inspire them to practice. But what started as an Elton John tribute quickly degenerated into a dance party to “Watch Me Whip.” Lesson learned: Maybe let’s have them practice first before heading to YouTube. - “Just Checking” Equals “Just Addicted”
During family road trips, I often opened my phone “just to check” on things that could easily wait. I realized that this habit meant I was missing quality time with my family and setting a poor example for their own screen time habits. - Instagram Surprises
I thought sharing an Instagram video of my daughter’s classmate hitting a home run would be fun. However, it led her to scroll through my feed, landing on party pics of my 20-something cousins having a wild time on spring break. - Evenings Aren’t Ideal for Screens
The last hour before bedtime can be chaotic, and I often found myself turning on the iPad to get a moment of peace. I know this is the worst time for screen time, but admitting it out loud definitely helped me realize it. - Precious iPad Memory
There’s nothing worse than being ready to binge-watch your favorite show only to see “Not enough memory available.” It’s especially frustrating when you discover the culprit is your child’s 300 high-resolution selfies taken with some silly app. - The Internet and Art Don’t Mix
When my daughter asked how to draw a horse, I handed her my phone to search for “horse drawings.” What she found were beautiful sketches that led to tears when her drawing didn’t match. A reminder that imagination is always the best teacher.
This year, I’m committed to guiding my family’s interaction with technology while also fostering our connections with one another. We’ve covered the kitchen outlet, stopped Skype dinners, and set limits on app usage. We’re still working on our piano skills, but we’re making progress.
If you’re looking for ways to establish healthy screen habits for your kids, check out this helpful resource on boosting fertility supplements, or dive into this informative article about pregnancy and home insemination. And for more tips on navigating the digital world, take a look at our privacy policy here.
In summary, managing screen time in the family is essential for maintaining connections and ensuring balanced digital interactions.