I never wanted to write about screen time for kids. Because here’s the thing: there’s no right answer. What’s “too much” depends entirely on your parenting philosophy, your child, and your family’s unique situation.
Still, here is my answer: screens fit perfectly into our home life. We’ve never regulated screen time for our child. But even if we disagree on this matter, you might still want to read on. Especially, if you rarely use screen time to provide a much needed break, make sure to make the most of it.
The question behind the question
When a mom asks me, “Is my kid having too much screen time?”, I often hear a deeper question:
Am I a good enough mom for choosing the convenient option?
or even
Am I failing because I don’t have the energy to entertain my child 24/7?
And here’s my answer: you’re doing your best. Today, this is what your best looks like. And that is okay.
Somewhere along the way, we absorbed the idea that our kids should be entertained, stimulated, and socially engaged every waking moment. But boredom is not harmful, it’s actually healthy. And neither is taking time for yourself something to feel guilty about.
The Pitfall to Watch Out For
The only thing I caution against is this: Don’t let screen time turn into “fake rest” time.
If your child is happily watching a show but you’re rushing around doing laundry, scrubbing dishes, and answering emails, you’re not really resting.
You’re just swapping one kind of work for another.
Now, that’s fine if it’s a conscious choice. Getting things off your to-do list can be a form of practical self-care. (Want to know more about types of self-care? Check out my ultimate guide to self-care here.)
But if it’s your default, you might be missing out on the real benefit that screen time for kids can offer you: an actual break.
How to Make Screen Time for Kids Work For You
Here’s how I approach it:
- Use it to recharge. Sit down. Drink your tea while it’s still hot. Read a chapter of your book. Take a breath.
- Join in sometimes. Sit next to your child and watch what they’re watching. Ask them questions, laugh with them. Shared screen time can be connection time. If they are into games, ask if you can play with them. Through my kid I discovered that I like singing monsters, and now use this game both as relaxation and connection with my son.
- Offer gentle alternatives. If you start feeling anxious about too much screen time for kids, keep a basket of low-energy activities nearby: coloring, LEGO, puzzles, audiobooks. These can naturally break up long stretches without requiring a big energy investment from you.
If you’re looking for simple ways to mix things up without draining your energy, I’ve put together my favorite 9 low-energy activities for kids in a new free resource for you. It’s perfect for those moments when you want to press pause on the screen, without playing cruise director.
The bottom line: it’s really not about the screen time
You’re not failing because you lean on screens. You’re not “less than” because you can’t be your child’s full-time entertainer.
Your kids don’t need you to be switched on every minute of the day. They need you to be present, rested, and emotionally available.
If screen time helps make that possible—then it’s not the enemy. It’s a tool.
And there you have it – an entire article about screen time… without actually writing about screen time.
Want to talk about these “Am I doing this right?” questions in a judgment-free space?
Join my free Facebook group for moms who are figuring it out together: Mom Village: Self-Care and Connection for Overwhelmed Moms. We share real-life parenting wins and struggles, and we leave the guilt at the door.
