These days, it feels like phones, tablets, and TVs are taking over. They’re great for keeping us entertained, but let’s be honest—too much screen time can really mess things up, especially for kids. It strains their eyes, messes with their sleep, and makes it tough for them to focus or even play with friends. That’s why I’ve been trying to find a better balance for my family—less screen, more real life.
Be the Example They Follow
Kids notice everything. If I’m glued to my phone all the time, they’ll think that’s just how it’s supposed to be. So, I’ve started putting my phone down during meals—out of sight, out of mind. Bedrooms are off-limits for screens too. Dinnertime becomes our chance to actually talk and enjoy each other’s company, and the bedroom? That’s for sleep or a good old-fashioned bedtime chat.
Swap Screens for Fun
I’ve found that keeping the kids busy with stuff they love works wonders. Some things we’ve tried:
- Making up silly stories together
- Grabbing some crayons for drawing or painting
- Running around in the yard or hitting the park
- Hand them a book or a kids newspaper filled with topics they love—it’s a great way to spark curiosity and keep them happily engaged away from digital screens.
I also chat with them about why too much screen time isn’t great—it’s not just me being strict. I tell them how it can tire out their eyes, keep them awake at night, or leave them feeling blah the next day.
Make Rules and Stick to ‘Em
We’ve got a screen time plan now—certain hours for devices, and that’s it. Once the kids know what to expect, they stop begging for the tablet every five minutes. I nudge them to head outside or play on their own too. It’s amazing how creative they get when they’re not staring at a screen.
Yeah, They’ll Probably Whine
Fair warning: the first few days might be rough. Mine were grumpy and threw some tantrums when I cut back their screen time. But I held firm, and guess what? They adjusted. Consistency is the trick—don’t cave!
Let Tech Help You Out
Here’s a little secret: phones and tablets have built-in screen time controls. I’ve set ours to lock apps or shut down after a certain time. It’s like having a backup parent enforcing the rules for me.
10 Simple Tips to Cut Screen Time:
- Decide on daily screen limits and don’t budge.
- Keep places like the dining room and bedrooms screen-free zones.
- Get them moving with sports or just playing outside.
- Pull out some art supplies, a guitar, or craft stuff they’ll enjoy.
- Plan family nights—board games or a walk beat Netflix any day.
- Make screen time a treat they earn, not an all-day thing.
- Show them you mean it by ditching your phone more often.
- Hook them on real books or kids newspaper —library trips are a hit here!
- Try a no-screen day once in a while—it’s refreshing.
- Chat with them about why screens aren’t everything—keep it real.
Give kids a fun and educational activity like reading a newspaper—where they can discover cool facts about their favorite animals (like in this blog on fun facts about horses), solve riddles, play games, and enjoy so much more of what they love!
This isn’t a quick fix—it’s a step-by-step thing. Cheer for the little wins along the way! Spending more time together, doing stuff that actually matters, has made my kids happier and healthier. They’re growing into awesome little people, whether they’re online or off.
