One of the most common things I hear from young moms is how guilty they feel every time they let their kids use screens. Here are some simple tips to help you let go of any screen time guilt you might feel as a young mom.
11 Tips to Help You Let Go of Screen Time Guilt
1. Define your values
Take some time to consider what is important to you. You probably value many things, but think about the 2-3 things are most important to you. You might value a happy family, educated kids, a connection with your kids, your mental health, or your kids’ mental health.
2. List the reasons you use screen time for your kids
You might use screen time when you are needing a break from your kids, when you are trying to get something done, or when your child is having a tantrum.
3. Think about why you might feel guilty
Where is the guilt originating from? Do you feel guilty because you are worried your kids are going to be negatively impacted?
4. Recognize what you are already doing that’s in line with your values
You are probably doing better than you think you are. Are you telling your kids that you love them? Are you enjoying shared experiences? Are you having family dinner? Make a list of these things.
5. Brainstorm ways you could use screens to accomplish what is important to you
If you value having a strong bond with your kids, then you could watch a show together. If you value having a happy family, then you could let your kids watch a show while you get some “me-time” and then spend time playing with your kids. Check out this post for some more ideas on how to use screens to connect with your kids.
6. Realize that you’re doing much better than you think you are
The research surrounding kids and screens is all relatively new, but it is increasingly showing that screens themselves aren’t necessarily the problem— it’s what kids are MISSING when using screens (free play, outside time, sleep, interacting with others, etc) that’s the problem. Stop worrying so much about your kids’ screen time and focus more on how much play time they are getting.
7. If you find that you are using screens in a way that doesn’t align with your values, brainstorm alternative solutions
Maybe you value teaching your kids emotional resilience, but you realize that every time they are upset you give them a screen to calm them down. What are some other ways you could help them calm down during a tantrum that would build their emotional resilience? Instead of giving them a screen could you take them outside or model big deep breaths?
8. If you feel a change is needed, start with something small and simple
If you are wanting to make changes when it comes to screens it might feel like you want to change one million things at once. But, I do not recommend this. The changes you make are much more likely to be sustainable if you choose only ONE thing that is small and simple.
9. Stop comparing yourself to other moms
It’s great to get ideas a learn from how other people do things, but ultimately YOU are the only one that knows what is best for you and your family.
10. Take Tech-wise Littles course: ABC’s of Screen Time
Tech-wise Littles has created a course for parents of kids age 0-6 that provides all the ins and outs of screen time. It is FANTASTIC. This course helped me better understand the research behind screen time, which actually removed many of my fears surrounding kids and technology.
11. Sign up for this month’s workshop
Each month I hold interactive workshops where you not only receive expert training, but also get to bounce ideas off of others in a similar stage of life. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, then join my email list to be updated about the workshops.
There is more than one right way to handle screen time. These 11 tips will help you use screens in a way that aligns with your values and let go of that screen time mom guilt.
I’d love to have you join our Mindful with Media workshops. It is a special community of learning, growth, and connection. And YOU are a huge part of what makes that happen. Sign up for my email list today to get more information!
