Screen time was becoming unmanageable. So I gave my kids more.

In our home, more screen time means more responsibility. And the kids are bought in.

Screen time has been . . . a journey here. To me, screens are something I consider a “both/and.” Here’s what I mean:

Truth #1: Screens can be a GREAT tool. When the kids were younger, my favorite screen time hack was to give them screens at 5 PM so I could get dinner ready. It gave me a break and gave them something to do (while they stayed out of the kitchen).

Truth #2: Screens are REALLY HARD for me to manage. Things online are changing constantly. Not only am I super concerned with keeping my kids safe, I also don’t want screens to keep them from doing other fun things (like going outside! making things! and playing games!).

Both things are true! Because of this, the guidelines in our house around screens have evolved as the kids have gotten older. And sometimes they change based on the season we’re in.