Before Screens You Must

Any other mama's out there struggling with screen time for their babes? How much time your kids spend in front of a screen is the dirty secret of parenting... There is SO much guilt associated with this one topic it makes me tense up just thinking about it.


Reality is, kids watch TV. They have computers and tablets and phones. Unless you live under a rock or a time warp, most kids are using a screen every day, multiple times. It is the world we live in. My kids do all their schoolwork on a computer. I work on my computer. My husband and I watch TV.

This can quickly spiral out of control. I know for me, there are certain things that I have to do before I can get started with my day. Shower, spend time with Jesus, workout, have a generous cup of coffee. If I jump into a screen, whether working or scrolling Instagram, these important parts of my day, these commitments that I have made to myself, never get done.

The same applies to my babes. There are things that I want them to get done in their day, even on non-school days, before they can watch TV or play Video Games. My hope is that having a list of my priorities will help them as they become adults set goals that will help them stay on track.

Every morning, on a clipboard outside their bedroom, they find one of two lists.  If it is a non-school day, they find this one.

Helping them set priorities for their day and giving them things that they must do to earn their screen time sets clear expectations and ensures that they do things in their day that are productive, contribute to our family and engage their brains and bodies.

I have found that this helps reduce arguments and sets the rhythm to our day. After their list is complete, I feel less guilt about letting them enjoy a movie or video game, knowing that they have already completed tasks in their day that don't involve sitting like a bump on a log.