I’m not against my kids using technology; in theory, it’s not a problem. Sometimes, you just need a breather. Whether it’s a peaceful car ride or a moment of quiet, handing over the iPad or phone can grant you those precious 20 minutes to sneak away for a bathroom break, make a phone call, grab a power nap, or, let’s be honest, whip up a drink—or two—so you don’t have to repeat the process later. I honestly can’t fathom how parents managed without the distraction that technology provides.
Let’s face it: it’s nearly impossible to keep kids away from screens these days. Technology is not just essential for daily life but also vital for their future job prospects. Pretty much everyone has a phone, a computer, or a tablet, and so do their friends. Heck, even elementary schools are integrating these devices into classrooms. It’s simply part of life now, and it’s only going to become more entrenched.
The real concern lies in what exactly they’re doing during that screen time and what other activities they’re engaging in. My oldest is 6, so thankfully, we’re not yet dealing with the more alarming aspects like inappropriate content or impulsive online purchases. My partner, Jenna, and I have been diligent about setting boundaries, whether it’s one episode of a show before dinner or a quick 20-minute session of the Lego Star Wars game in the morning.
Or at least, we used to be diligent. Ever since our second little one arrived in January, the energy to enforce those limits has dwindled. If letting our oldest zone out for an hour means I can catch a few extra minutes of sleep or give the baby a bath, then that’s what we’re doing. And I must admit, sometimes it feels like he’s getting a bit too attached to those screens.
Like many parents, we fret about the negative effects of too much screen time. This paranoia mixes with a bit of that old-school “Get off my lawn!” mentality because we didn’t grow up with this technology. No matter how glued we are to our own devices (guilty as charged!), it’s still concerning to see our 6-year-old become fixated on an iPad game, even if he balances it out with outdoor play and other activities. The potential for addiction is what really worries me.
When my son spends excessive time on Jenna’s phone or our tablet, I don’t like the version of him that emerges. Despite setting clear time limits, getting the device back from him can feel like a monumental task. He becomes so absorbed that he doesn’t hear me when I announce that time is up. And when he does realize it’s game over, it’s like watching him go through the five stages of grief. It’s a bit much.
This reaction clearly signals that we need to get back to enforcing those screen limits. The arrival of our newest family member has made us a bit lenient in the interest of maintaining our sanity, but those screens have him in their grip. While it’s probably not much different from the way TV captivated us as kids, it’s still disconcerting. Jenna and I are determined to take charge again.
That means re-establishing screen time boundaries, not letting our son’s antics slide when it’s time to unplug, and encouraging him to express his creativity through play outside, building with Legos, or using his imagination instead of relying on pixels to entertain him. Plus, we want to ensure that when he plays with friends, they aren’t just huddled around a screen, watching each other play Minecraft.
Ugh, parenting can be exhausting! Maybe I should just gift him one of those fancy Oculus Rift headsets and call it a day. I’m worn out!
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Summary
As a parent of two, I’ve found it nearly impossible to stick to screen time limits since our second child arrived. While I once had a firm grip on technology use, now I sometimes rely on devices to get a breather. Even though I worry about potential addiction and negative effects, I recognize the importance of technology in our children’s lives. My partner and I are committed to re-establishing boundaries and encouraging our kids to engage in more active and imaginative play.