Screentime limits actually working

Dec 81 min read

Ok I know this is probably boring but I gotta celebrate - our family screen time experiment is actually working?? We implemented a no-screens-during-meals rule back in September and honestly it's been great. The kids were grumpy about it for like 2 weeks but now they actually TALK to each other at dinner. My 9yo has picked up skateboarding again, my 11yo is reading more.

I'm not anti-screen at all (they still get iPad time) but the forced breaks have been weirdly good for everyone's mood. Just wanted to share in case anyone's struggling with constant connectivity.

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Comments(9)

JJamal W.RegularDec 8

This is actually awesome. No-screens-during-meals sounds simple but it's wild how much better conversations go when there's no phone on the table. My family actually talks now instead of just existing near each other.

TTony F.RegularDec 8

This isn't boring AT ALL. This is one of those things that feels small but actually reshapes family dynamics. Proud of you for sticking with it past the initial resistance period.

EEd R.RegularDec 8

September to now is solid. That's months of consistency. How did you handle the first like 2 weeks when everyone was probably losing their minds about it?

MMack G.New DadDec 10

No screens at meals is actually genius because it forces you to talk to each other. Even if it's boring kid talk, it's something. We did the same thing and honestly the dinner conversations got weirdly better.

RRyan M.New DadDec 11

The thing that got us to stick with it was making breakfast the exception to the rule. Like Saturday cartoons while eating pancakes is allowed because it's special. Made the everyday rule feel less punitive.

MMarcus L.RegularDec 10

Not boring at all, this is big. How did you handle the initial pushback? My kids fight me on it every single night and I'm wondering if I'm just being strict or if it actually gets easier.

CChris R.RegularDec 11

September to now is solid—that's long enough that it's actually a habit now not just a phase. Did you notice any behavioral changes outside of mealtimes or is it just that the meals themselves are better?

DDale A.RegularDec 10

Genuinely curious about your family's overall screen time now. Like are the kids watching less in general or just not at meals? We tried the no-screens-at-dinner thing but they just binge earlier in the day to "make up for it."

CChad R.RegularDec 11

We tried this but our 7yo fought it so hard that meals became stressful. Eventually we compromised - no PHONES but tablets with downloaded shows were ok if eating got finished first. Not perfect but less of a battle.