You might think we’re out of our minds when I say we don’t impose screen time limits on our children. Perhaps you picture them glued to their devices, binge-watching shows, or endlessly immersed in Minecraft and YouTube chaos. It’s a common assumption that they lack fresh air and social interaction. You might even think I’m just a lazy parent (which, I admit, I can be at times) or that I’m indifferent to their future education. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
For me, keeping track of my kids’ screen time is an impossible task, and honestly, I have no desire to do so. I simply refuse to walk around with a timer, announcing, “Time’s almost up, kids!” I can only imagine the stress I would feel if someone did that to me mid-task, so I certainly won’t do it to my children.
As a parent, I know my strengths and limits. I’m not the type to manage a chore chart or stick to a weekly meal plan. My calendar resembles a chaotic collection of appointments, and we’re fortunate if we arrive anywhere on time. So, I often find myself winging it—embracing spontaneity, positivity, and the occasional ice cream trip instead of micromanaging their screen time. If I sense they’ve been on their devices too long or if their whining reaches a pitch that makes nearby dogs howl, I encourage them to head outside or pick up a book.
And you know what? This approach works for us. We do monitor content and establish “tech-free” zones during meals. While we don’t let them stay indoors all day staring at screens, we certainly don’t micromanage their usage. Timers are a no-go in our house.
Interestingly, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines align with our approach. They suggest that families create a media plan considering each child’s health, education, and entertainment needs. For kids ages 2-5, they recommend limiting screen time to one hour a day, but honestly, getting my little ones to stay still for five minutes is a challenge in itself. Their core message is simply to use common sense.
My kids aren’t glued to screens either; they often prefer outdoor activities. In fact, as I write this, they’re competing to see who can stay on a pogo stick the longest. Earlier, they built an impressive fort outside and played for hours. Not once did they touch a screen, and I didn’t have to say a word.
This lack of screen limits encourages self-regulation and autonomy, allowing me to relax without hovering over them to prevent “brain drain” from too much tech. Sure, there are times I have to shout at them to “go be bored” when they’re not making the effort to disconnect, but as long as they aren’t acting like mindless zombies, I’m not worried. Technology has its place, and I appreciate it just as much as they do.
Modern parenting presents unique challenges that earlier generations didn’t face. Many of us work from home, modeling screen habits for extended periods out of necessity. Technology is a permanent fixture in our lives, and we must navigate it in a way that suits each family. Enforcing strict screen time rules isn’t a battle I want to fight, so I choose to let my kids self-regulate.
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In summary, we don’t impose screen time limits in our household, opting instead for a more relaxed approach that encourages self-regulation and outdoor play. Maintaining balance is key, and as long as they’re engaged in a variety of activities, I’m confident we’re on the right path.