Let’s face it — we live in a digital world where everything is online, and it’s so easy to grab our phones, tablets, and other devices to keep our kids occupied. I’ve been guilty of this so many times, but trying to cut down on screen time is not always easy, especially now that my kids are older. With everything being high-tech these days, they’re using computers during school hours and after school for homework, so some detox at home is much-needed. It’s impossible to cut screens out completely, but reducing usage is possible. Here are some easy, effective ways!
Establish meal times as screen-free zones
Mealtimes are great opportunities to bond with your family, so create a routine where screens are off the table — literally and figuratively. Instead, ask questions about their day or share something interesting that happened in yours. If you need help coming up with conversation starters, these family-friendly question prompts sold on Amazon will get your kids talking.
Give them a task
Keep kids busy by assigning them chores. If they’re doing something around the house, they won’t be able to get on their screens, and they’ll feel a sense of accomplishment once their task is done. With the weather getting nicer, you can have them do something outdoors, such as cleaning up leaves or washing the car — something teens can do. They’ll get some sunshine and fresh air at the same time, which is a win-win.
Set a no screens before bedtime rule
We all love to wind down at night with a good show, but studies have shown that screen time before bed can delay and disrupt sleep. A good rule of thumb is to limit usage about two hours before bedtime so that your kids can level out their melatonin. Reading together (or alone) is a great way to relax, or you can teach them how to meditate, which is an awesome lifelong skill to have!
Make each screentime count
If you set a screen time limit, such as two hours a day, encourage your kids to make it count. Scrolling through YouTube Shorts isn’t as rewarding as watching a movie together or looking at an art tutorial. Those things actually add value, and your kid will feel like they got something out of their daily allowance.
Don’t let the television be background noise
Many households have the TV on constantly, and there’s totally no judgment in that! Honestly, having the news on is a great way to keep up with what’s going on in the world. However, when the kids are actively participating in something, such as puzzles or a play date, the television is just a distraction. Turning it off for a few hours will allow them to fully immerse themselves in whatever they’re doing, and if you want to reward them afterward, you can have them watch anything of their choosing for an hour.
Let us know if you try any of these tips and find them helpful! You can email us at hello@parenthoodtogether.com or share your thoughts on our Facebook group.
