Emma’s Diary Feature: We Don’t Have A Screen Time Ban, Here’s Why…
Partnering with Emma’s Diary has helped me reach so many prospective parents, newborn mums and toddler handlers. Working with this platform is one of my proudest writing achievements and I love having the opportunity to tackle controversial subjects. Today I’m talking all about screen time – do we ban or cap it in our house? And, do you?
Growing up in the ‘90s and noughties, there was no such thing as iPads, iPhones, tablets, or even computers. I remember our first home computer: it was huge, loud, and took up so much room – we much preferred playing with our piano keyboard!
I am blessed with lots of nieces and nephews and I’ve worked in a school setting before. So, even before becoming mum to Jack, I knew how important the use of screens and up-to-date technology was.
Jack & Screen Time
Jack is now 17 months – walking, wild, and has a huge personality. He is into everything, he loves to play and be silly, and he’s a really inquisitive boy.
We juggle being together all day with my own work setup: I work from home and I’m the main childcare provider. My work is super flexible, which is great but there are lots of meetings, creative sessions, and times when quiet is needed.
Luckily, Jack has always been quite an independent boy. He enjoys playing and reading for short periods on his own. Our living room is now an office come playroom so it is hectic and looks like a bomb has gone off every single weekday.
However, there are times when he is clingier, or needs more attention, or is pushing boundaries to get attention.
He’s a toddler, it’s totally normal.
When I feel a bit overwhelmed or I have a looming deadline and need some time, I stick on Miss Rachel or the Teletubbies for half an hour and it usually does the trick.
Screen Time Boundaries
While we don’t have a time ban in place, we do have a device ban.
Jack is still so little and his attention span is still so small. We let him watch an episode of his favourite show as a treat before wind-down time, or if it’s super early morning.
However, we only let him watch his shows on the TV…
READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON EMMA’S DIARY HERE
Do you allow screentime for your kids?
Do you work from home and feel the struggle, like me?
LoveRosiee
xxx
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People Also Ask…
How many hours of screen time should a toddler get?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding screens for children younger than 18 to 24 months, except when video chatting with family. The AAP also recommends limiting screen use for preschool children, ages 2 to 5, to just one hour a day of high-quality programming.
Is screen time bad for toddlers?
It is advised by many medical bodies to keep children away from screens until they’re 18 months old and limiting digital media use for 2- to 5-year-olds to one hour per day.
What does the NHS say about screen time?
How much screen time is ok for my child? Advice from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests that children should have TV free days, or have a two hour limit on the time spent in front of screens.
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6 Comments
Lucy
I like Emma’s reasons for not having a screen time ban. Every parent does things differently and we should all respect each other’s opinions! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
claire chircop
We don’t have a screen ban at home. Although the only screen the kids see is the telly (and us on our phones) we don’t have tablets for them – Not anything against it, it’s just something we’ve not bought, we don’t use them ourselves – I hate the whole thing of limiting, whether its screen time, food or naps etc – Everything feels so robotic and textbook. When kids just don’t work that way. I think a lot of people forget they’re humans still, just like us. If we want to chill in front of the telly, we’ll do that. Seems strange to me to have a specific ban on it all.
Claire.X
http://www.clairemac.co.uk
Bethany
Totally get this, I’d be considering this when I have my own x
sammi swinton
Sounds like a great plan you have in place for your little one! I’d hope for the same sort of routine with screens x
Fransic verso
That’s great he read on his own, love this type of growth. You are doing great and hope you guys a lovely month.
Andrea Hunt
Interesting article! As I am not a parent, I dont’ have a huge opinion on this but I do think on some level it’s important to minimize it because I think it does affect attention span long term. however, I think it’s also important to understand that parenting is hard and this is a time where parents have the luxury of entertaining their kids for a few minutes to have a bit of peace, which is also important!