Let the judgment roll in, but honestly, screen time is a lifesaver for parents! It feels like every time you turn around, someone’s warning us that screens are ruining our kids’ lives, turning their brains to mush, and their bodies into mushy noodles. According to the stories from older generations, their kids had no screen time and turned out to be the epitome of health and intelligence. (Thanks for that, boomers.) But today’s parents know better: screens can be a busy mom or dad’s best ally, and we wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Confessional #1623745
“I’m done feeling guilty about my kids’ screen time. We do plenty of things together, and once the weather warms up, we’ll be outside all the time. Those judgmental moms can deal with it.”
Let’s be real—there are those days when we just need a breather, even if it means letting the kids engage with their screens for a bit. Anyone claiming they don’t need a moment of peace is clearly not being honest.
Confessional #17894361
“My kids let me sleep until noon. They’re in elementary school now, and they know if I’m snoozing, they can use the electronics and snack away. Win-win, right?”
Confessional #1672938
“Totally hungover from last night’s wine, so I tossed the ‘one hour of screen time’ rule right out the window!”
Confessional #18174085
“I let my kids have unlimited screen time just so they’ll leave me alone. Not winning any mom awards over here!”
Of course, judgment is inevitable, but let’s face it: life often forces us to rethink our stance on screen time. Parenting without screens can be downright exhausting.
Confessional #11492080
“Decided to go screen-free today, and I’m utterly wiped out! How do people manage to entertain their kids all day without screens?”
Confessional #1648295
“I used to look down on parents letting their kids game all day or use the TV as a babysitter. Now, with 8 kids, I see electronics as a blessing for keeping them quiet and engaged!”
And guess what? The kids are doing just fine! Research from the University of Michigan indicates that it’s not the quantity of screen time that matters, but how kids are using it. Engaging with games that involve physical or cognitive activity doesn’t have the negative effects that so many alarmists claim.
Confessional #15987234
“My girls are kind, polite, and well-behaved, yet somehow I’m considered a bad mom for allowing unlimited screen time? IDGAF.”
Confessional #13362055
“My kids have always had free rein with their tablets, and now my 10-year-old daughter is developing apps in her spare time while my 5-year-old son reads chapter books. Clearly, I’m doing something right!”
Confessional #13361412
“Sick of other moms judging my daughter’s screen time. She consistently comes first in her grade and has an impressive vocabulary—thanks to her computer!”
It’s easy to preach about limiting screen time when you’re not the one managing kids all day.
Confessional #15392080
“I can’t stand when my partner enforces a ‘no screen time’ rule and then leaves me to entertain them all day. I always choose to ignore it!”
When the judgmental eyes aren’t around, it’s game on—literally.
Confessional #1794903
“I chuckled when I saw the AAP finally updated its ‘screen time’ guidelines. Like we weren’t already letting our kids watch whatever would help us survive the day!”
Confessional #1778458
“I run a ‘screenless’ daycare, which really just means no screens during drop-off or pick-up. Other than that, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is fair game!”
But let’s keep this confessional between us. No way we’d admit this to anyone qualified to judge, like a pediatrician.
Confessional #17680934
“My neighbor is a pediatrician, and her kid is on a screen ALL. THE. TIME. So much for those APA recommendations.”
Even when we attempt to limit screen time, it can be tough when we’re not following our own rules.
Confessional #1772908
“I tell my kids to use their imagination instead of electronics while I stare at my phone. Total mom fail.”
Confessional #1618923
“I spend way too much time on my phone in front of my kids while strictly limiting their screen time.”
Confessional #1928408
“My phone now tells me how much screen time I’ve had each day. Just great…”
In this instance, the age-old saying “do as I say, not as I do” definitely rings true. But if those screens grant us even a few moments of peace and quiet, then it’s worth it.
This article was originally published on March 12, 2020. For more insights, check out other related posts, such as this one on home insemination.
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