Before I became a parent, I had strong opinions about screen time. My kids would always be busy doing crafts, reading books and building forts. Screens would be a rare treat and never something I relied on.
Then real parenting happened.
I created some rules. They look great written down. Do they always happen? Absolutely not.
Rule One: No screens before school
This rule lasts until someone wakes up before the sun or I need ten quiet minutes to pack bags without being followed around by a tiny detective asking for snacks.
Rule Two: Only one hour a day
This is a dream I like to believe in. Some days it happens. Other days the tablet becomes an extra family member who helps us all get through the afternoon.
Rule Three: Educational shows come first
I begin with learning games and documentaries. We end with videos of slime being mixed and someone whispering “look at this hamster eating a banana”.
Rule Four: No devices at the table
This one I actually stick to. We eat together without screens, even if the meal is chaotic and someone is suspicious of vegetables. Small victories count.
Rule Five: Screens off at bedtime
This depends entirely on how the day has gone. Some nights we are organised adults. Other nights we are letting Bluey handle the emotional turbulence of bedtime.
The truth is screens give us breathing room. They let us cook. They let us answer messages. They let us sit down for thirty seconds without someone climbing us like a climbing frame.
I do try to set limits. I do encourage playing and getting outside. But some days screens save the day and that is totally fine.
Parenting is not perfect. Our rules do not always go to plan. But we are doing our best and our kids are happy. That matters more than anything.
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