Screen Time.
That’s right, I’m going there. Screen time. It feels like the most judged topic in motherhood today. As mothers, we’ve all been there—the quiet judgment from others when your child picks up a tablet, or the nagging feeling that we’re doing something wrong because of how much time they’ve spent in front of a screen. It feels like there’s no escaping the debate. Everyone has an opinion on it, and it's hard not to feel like you're failing when you're just trying to get through the day. But screen time doesn’t make you a bad mom!
Scroll through social media, and you’ll likely see a post about how screen time is completely unacceptable. We hear warnings from pediatricians, see endless advice from influencers, and feel the constant scrutiny from those around us. It’s exhausting. Everyone has their own set of “rules” and expectations for what’s acceptable, making it easy to feel like we’re doing it wrong. But here’s the thing—no one’s perfect, and there’s no universal approach to raising kids. We all have different circumstances and priorities.
For me, the reality is this: screen time isn’t the enemy. It’s all about how I manage it and balance it with other activities. Sure, I’ve read the articles about how a few hours of screen time can actually have benefits—like improving hand-eye coordination or offering educational content. Are those facts? Yes. Are they from trusted sources? Absolutely. But I’ll admit it—I read them because they make me feel better on days when I feel guilty about all the screen time my kids are getting.
In this house, we have our own take on screen time. Not all of it is created equal. Educational games, interactive videos, and even watching age-appropriate shows—those are all fine by me. I honestly believe that technology opens up opportunities for learning that we couldn’t have imagined when I was a child. Plus, let’s be real—screen time gives me a few minutes to breathe, sip my coffee, and maybe even catch my breath from the endless list of tasks. And I’m totally okay with admitting (and needing) that!
Do I respect, and even sometimes envy, the moms who say their kids didn’t even see a screen before the age of 2? Or the moms who only allow one educational show per day and then give their kids their undivided attention? Heck yes, I do! But here’s the thing—those moms are not me. And that’s okay. I’ve come to accept that my kids will get screen time, and that doesn’t make me a bad mom. I’ll do my best to limit it and ensure that education is a priority, but I’m not always going to be perfect. And I don’t need to be.
We do have some screen time rules in our house, and they work for us. No screens during mealtime—yes, that includes at restaurants. No YouTube without an adult in the room. No tablets one hour before bed. These rules focus on two things I feel strongly about: manners and quality sleep. But these rules might not work for every family, and that’s perfectly fine. We each have our own priorities. I didn’t come up with our house rules based on an article I read online, or because an influencer told me to. I came up with them on my own because of our unique needs as a family and my understanding of my children as individuals. I know what helps them thrive, what leads to meltdowns, and what keeps our home running smoothly. I’ve seen how screens affect their moods, their sleep, and their ability to engage in meaningful conversations. I’ve also seen how much they can learn from them, too. These rules weren’t created to follow a trend or meet someone else’s standards—they were shaped by our daily experiences, our values, and what works best for us. I encourage every mom and every family to do what’s right for them.
Like anything else in parenting, moderation is key. Set healthy boundaries that work for your family. Some days will have more screen time than others, and that’s okay. There’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to raising kids—what matters most is doing what works best for you. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about it. You’re doing just fine.
I’m not bringing up this topic because I feel strongly about it or because I care whether you let your kids have screen time. I’m bringing it up because it’s yet another thing that divides us as moms. But what if we stopped treating choices like screen time as a source of judgment or controversy and instead focused on supporting each other? By allowing every mom to do what’s best for her family, we just might create the supportive environment we all need.
