Journey of a parent’s screen time battles

We kept away from screens once our child was born.

We didn’t miss it. Babies are great at managing time.

Their parents’ time. They take all of it.

Growing up, our toddler soon started reaching for phones. Months later, we started allowing audio only – songs, stories on YouTube.

The battle was shaping up. Then Covid hit.

He was nearing 5 at that time.

From close to no screen time, he suddenly moved to a few hours of screen time for school every day.

We started losing the screen time battles, especially at meal times.

Peppa pig reigned. And endless slime-making videos.

One day we decide to take back mealtimes.

No screens. Sorry Peppa.

But he could bring a book to the dinner table. For a couple of days, he took us to hell and back.

And then surprise surprise – he started reading.

We created a library for him at the dinner table. A shoebox with 2 sides cut out and a few books in it.

After years of what felt like a losing battle, a glimmer of hope.

We had been reading books for him for years. He had started learning music at an early age. And he spent hours riding his bicycle every day.

These activities grew into strong allies as he grew into 6.

With time we could allow him more screen time. But it is easier to monitor and restrict the content since he has established other activities as alternatives to screen time.

As parents, we never win the screen time battle.

We only fight it for as long as we can.

And that matters. The delay strengthens the impulse control muscle.

Don’t give up.