I have to admit, the television or the phone is the easiest babysitter out there. If I turn on a show or give one of my children access to an app they enjoy, I have instant relief from many of the stresses of parenting which is really nice when I’m tired or need a few minutes to get something done. TV and other electronics are also really low cost in both money and parental investment. But just like everything else in life, you often get what you pay for. If I continue to give my children “low cost” entertainment, I will reap the rewards in the lives of my children through decreased attention spans, decreased ability to process human interaction and other scientifically proven issues that come from too much screen time especially in young children.
So how do we limit screen time while giving mom or dad a chance to take a necessary phone call, get some work done or rest for a few minutes when needed without the house being burned down?
Stow away some toys for the right moment
If your house is anything like mine, you might have too many toys. Instead of struggling to keep the toys contained in a bedroom or toy box, try switching them out every so often. Bringing out a box of forgotten toys will buy you some time as kids rediscover lost treasures and also help them be content with the toys they already own.
Set up a structured alone time each day
The pandemic leaves families together ALL the time which can fray nerves. Many have found it very helpful to work in an hour or so each day where children must play by themselves. Encourage quieter activities like building toys (blocks, Legos), coloring, Play-Doh or books. This provides everyone with space and, given enough time, it will help your children learn it is ok to play by themselves from time to time. Bonus: you can set a reward for completing certain alone time tasks like number of books read.
Create a space for outside play
It is not always possible but, if you can, create a safe place to send your child outside with sidewalk chalk, a sandbox or equip them with a shovel for digging up a designated spot in the yard. Outside play is essential for children for physical development and imagination.
Use electronics with purpose
The title of the article may connote that all electronics are to be avoided but that is not healthy either. Our age of technology demands that we prepare our children to flourish with technology embedded in almost every aspect of their lives. Here are few tips to ensure the tech we allow our kids to engage with is helpful:
Does it promote addiction? Keep in mind that many games are designed to lure you in and keep you there. Children experience this pull and may not know how to process it correctly.
Does the technology promote your child’s development as a human being? Does it aid the child’s ability to create, solve problems, learn scripture or facts about his or her world? Does it promote skills that are translatable into everyday life? Look for these types of technology resources to help your children thrive.
Every parent needs some uninterrupted time and our children should be able to understand that. It is our responsibility to ensure those times with limited parental involvement are promoting the physical and spiritual well-being of our children. I hope these simple suggestions will be a help to you.