I’m not opposed to my kids using technology—in theory, at least. Sometimes, you just need a breather. Whether it’s a peaceful car ride or a brief moment of quiet, handing over the iPad or your phone can buy you a solid 20 minutes to take care of business—be it a bathroom break, a quick phone call, or even a power nap. And hey, if you’re really ambitious, you might even whip up two drinks at once, because let’s face it, we all know you’ll want another one later. It’s hard to imagine how parents managed before this digital distraction became so ingrained in our lives.
The reality is, avoiding screens is nearly impossible. With devices becoming essential for daily life and future job prospects, we’re all in this tech-filled world together. Everyone has phones, computers, and tablets, and our kids are exposed to them from an early age—hello, elementary school classrooms! This is just the way life is now, and it’s only going to get more integrated.
The real concern lies in how kids use their screen time and what else they’re engaged in. My eldest is six, so thankfully, the more alarming issues—like stumbling across inappropriate content or buying random stuff—aren’t on our radar yet. My partner and I have always been diligent about setting limits, be it one episode of a show before dinner or 20 minutes of gaming in the morning.
But I should clarify: we were diligent—before our second child arrived in January. Now, we often find ourselves too exhausted or overwhelmed to enforce those limits tightly. If letting our oldest zone out for an hour means we can catch a quick rest or tend to the baby, so be it. Sometimes it just feels like he craves screen time too much.
Like any concerned parent, I worry about him developing an unhealthy obsession with screens. Sure, it’s probably a mix of paranoia and that classic “back in my day” mentality since we didn’t grow up with this level of tech. Even though we adults are often glued to our phones (guilty as charged!), it’s disconcerting to see a six-year-old getting hooked on a game, regardless of how well-rounded he is otherwise. It’s a slippery slope towards addiction, and that’s a thought that keeps me up at night.
When my kid spends too much time on screens, he can undergo quite the transformation. Despite our best efforts to enforce time limits, getting the device out of his hands can turn into a battle. He becomes so engrossed that he can’t even hear when it’s time to stop, and when he finally realizes that his time is up, watch out—it’s like witnessing the five stages of grief unfold before your eyes. It’s madness!
This reaction signals that we need to do a better job of setting boundaries. The arrival of our new baby has made us a bit more lenient, and we’ve allowed some things to go by the wayside for the sake of our sanity. But those screens are definitely capturing his attention in a way that’s concerning. While it may not be much different from how TV captivated us as kids, it’s still alarming and something I want to address.
Moving forward, we need to be more consistent with our limits. We’ll have to stand firm when it’s time to put down the screen and ensure he’s getting his energy out in other activities—like playing outside, building with Legos, or using his imagination instead of relying on the pixels to entertain him. Plus, we need to encourage playdates that don’t revolve around screens, so they’re not just huddled together watching each other play Minecraft.
Wow, parenting is a lot of work! Maybe I should just get him one of those fancy Oculus Rift headsets and call it a day. I’m exhausted.
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Summary
The author reflects on how, after the birth of their second child, enforcing screen time limits with their first child has become increasingly challenging. They express concerns about the potential negative effects of excessive screen time while recognizing the necessity of technology in today’s world. The article underscores the importance of balancing screen time with other activities to prevent addiction and foster a well-rounded upbringing.