Worrying about how different things are today, especially with screens everywhere, is pretty much pointless. As Alex Rivera wisely points out in an article from Forbes.com, “That ship has sailed.” He goes on to say that screens are a permanent part of our lives, just like agriculture and indoor plumbing. So, stressing over screen time is like fretting about how often we use cars—it’s here to stay!
Still, I can’t help but wonder: how much screen time is too much? I certainly don’t want my kids to turn into couch potatoes glued to their devices. That’s why I’ve considered tech that automatically limits screen time, like the parental controls on Amazon’s FreeTime. You can set it all up in advance, deciding how much time they can spend on educational apps versus just plain fun games. It’s way simpler than arguing with my son about how many episodes of “Pirate Pals” is too many.
However, Rivera makes a great point about not handing over that responsibility to a machine. After all, we don’t have robots serving up pre-measured amounts of junk food for our kids, right? Instead, we cook with them and teach them about healthy eating habits. You could even call that process “nagging.”
Being involved in our kids’ lives is crucial, especially when it comes to setting limits. Kids usually aren’t great at regulating themselves, so it’s up to us to instill that inner voice which will remind them to take a break from screens (and other things). Rivera emphasizes that this inner voice is really us nagging, and guess what? That nagging actually serves a purpose: it helps shape their values for life.
Even at my age, I can still hear my mom’s voice asking me if I’ve eaten enough vegetables today. My husband has his own reminders from his parents about attending church. This is how children learn what’s important. Rivera mentions, “Telling your kids to stop playing video games isn’t just about the game; it’s about creating those voices in their heads.”
So, when my internal alarm goes off for iPad time, I’ll be asking my kids if they’ve been outside, soaked up some sunshine, or cracked open a book. It’s not nagging; it’s forming that inner voice that will eventually echo in their minds—like a notification from their own personal iPad.
If you’re interested in more on this topic, check out this post on how to navigate parenting in today’s world.
In summary, while it may feel annoying at times, nagging can play a vital role in helping our kids develop self-discipline and healthy habits. Embrace it as part of your parenting toolkit!