When it comes to my kids and technology, I don’t have any major objections—at least not in theory. There are moments when you simply need a breather. A peaceful car ride? Yes, please! Handing over the iPad or my phone can gift me an essential 20 minutes to use the bathroom, make a quick call, or even sneak in a power nap. Honestly, I can’t fathom how parents managed without the distraction that screens provide.
Let’s face it: avoiding technology for kids is nearly impossible nowadays. It’s woven into the fabric of daily life, not just for entertainment but also for educational purposes. Everyone has a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer, and so do their friends. Even elementary schools embrace these tools. This is just the reality we live in, and it’s only going to become more ingrained.
The real concern, however, is how our kids are engaging with their screen time and what else they’re doing when they’re not glued to a screen. My child is only 6, so thankfully, we’re not faced with the more alarming issues like online shopping or inappropriate content—yet. My partner and I have always been diligent about setting limits, whether it’s enjoying a single episode of a show before dinner or allowing a short gaming session in the morning.
Well, that was the plan—until our second child joined the family in January. Now, the energy and motivation to enforce those limits seem to have vanished. If letting our oldest entertain himself with a screen for an hour means we can catch a few extra z’s or tend to the baby, then so be it.
Of course, we share the common parental worry that too much screen time could be detrimental. This anxiety is likely a mix of paranoia and the usual “things were different when I was a kid” mindset. Even if our son plays outside and is otherwise well-adjusted, it’s concerning to witness a growing obsession with a game on the iPad.
When he spends extended periods using my partner’s phone or our tablet, I notice a significant change in his behavior. Despite setting clear boundaries, getting him to stop playing can feel like an uphill battle. He often becomes so absorbed that he doesn’t even hear us when time’s up. Once he does realize it, he cycles through the five stages of grief right before my eyes.
This reaction is a clear sign that we need to tighten our grip on screen time. With the arrival of the baby, we’ve let some things slide to maintain our sanity and catch some much-needed sleep. But we don’t want screens to take over our family life. We aim to reinstate limits, ensure he has plenty of opportunities for physical play, creativity, and imaginative activities instead of simply being fed entertainment through pixels. This means encouraging our son to engage in other activities when he’s with friends, rather than clustering around a screen playing games together.
That’s a lot of parenting work! Maybe I should just get him one of those fancy VR headsets and call it a day. I’m exhausted!
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In summary, while we once had strict screen time rules, the arrival of our second child has led to a more relaxed approach. We recognize the importance of balancing tech time with other activities and are committed to re-establishing healthy limits.