Why Managing Screen Time is Hard for Families and Tips to Help Parents Improve It
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Technology is “The Everything.”
We can check, track, and monitor everything from the temperature of the house to our kid’s location from our screens.
It is no wonder that we are on our devices all day, and the same goes for our kids, especially the older they get.
We used to have huge phone books that listed every citizen’s contact information and had a section for all the local businesses. Now we keep contact information on our phones and Google the information we need for local businesses.
We used to use paper maps to figure out where we were going. Now we use an app on our phones for that.
We used to drive to stores to buy groceries, buy birthday gifts, and shop for back-to-school backpacks, but now we can order all of that online and have it delivered to our doorstep.
We used to write letters and pay bills through snail mail, but now we can email and pay bills from our phones.
As for the kids, homework, group discussions, and reading assignments are online. They can check grades and band practice times online. If they have jobs, the schedules and time sheets are likely online as well.
Screens are a major communication, entertainment, and organizational tool for kids and adults.
I think we often forget this when we feel bad that we are on our screens constantly.
How can we NOT be on our screens or phones?
It’s time that we realize that we are in a new era and admit we need and use technology without guilt.
Having said that, are there areas in our life where we can be more conscious of taking a break from technology? Even airplane mode offers messaging on flights now. Is there any chance for a little escape?
YES! Here are some suggestions…
Divide screens and technology into 2 categories. Work and entertainment. Awareness is key!
What are the things you ( and the kids) must be on screens for? What work do you do on your screens?
How do you use technology for entertainment, a brain break, and comfort?
Have ongoing conversations with kids about these differences, and plan screen entertainment time.
Go analog!
Consider an old-school watch on vacations, weekends, or when you need a break.
Read books. Go to the library. Hold a book in your hands. It keeps you from seeing notifications while reading. Have a library of favorite books in your house to read to or with your kids.
Print recipes, or use cookbooks.
Go shopping at the store once in a while.
Use a paper calendar.
Use the timers and alarms to your advantage.
Time passes whether we are paying attention or not.
Use timers and alarms as tools for time management of screens.
Set an alarm to enjoy social media, podcasts, or any screen entertainment for a set amount of time.
Set a timer for the kid’s entertaining screen-free time.
Batch your screen time. Group tasks together rather than popping in and out of websites, contacts, directions, emails, and notifications.
Plan ahead for the week. Add addresses to your maps app, look up restaurants and make reservations, schedule appointments, and prepare for all the tech you can for the upcoming week in one batch.
Check your email in a batch time frame. In the morning? At lunch? 2:00 pm every day rather than checking it all day and taking the risk of email eating into other important activities.
Look at the school website with the kids at set times. Check grades, assignments, sign forms, etc.
Just say NO to technology. Pick times when you or the entire family do not use technology.
Meals?
Holidays?
Bedtime?
Other?
Schedule times for screen entertainment. Pick and choose rather than squeeze it all in. Give a set amount of time each day for screens, slot it in, and then do other things when your time is done.
Listen to a podcast during a workout or enjoy a quiet walk outside?
Watch TV for an hour after dinner, or do a hobby, or play a family game?
Look at social media while in waiting rooms, or enjoy the old magazine articles they have?
De-clutter your technology
Delete apps and unsubscribe to things you do not use anymore.
Organize files and email.
Technology is a tool for us to use. It is neither good nor bad.
What makes it good or bad is HOW we use it and HOW we teach our kids to use it.
We can have a healthy relationship with technology by being conscious of how we use it, teaching our kids how to use it, and setting a good example of how to manage it.
What can you do today to begin managing your family's technology in a better way?
Check out more parenting posts here…
Tips for Building Your Parenting Smartphone Plan
50+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids
Learning at Home: A List of Fun Educational Activities for the Whole Family
12 Ways Sticky Notes Improve Parenting
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