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How do you do it? It is very, very difficult to not have screen time, in part because there are older kids in my house. I’m more on the “quality of screen time

How do you do it? It is very, very difficult to not have screen time, in part because there are older kids in my house. I’m more on the “quality of screen time” and “method of screen time” as my modifiable factors. Zero screen time seems (I cringe saying this) impossible.

sgt 3y ago
I also have a toddler. Basically you don't use your phone near your child unless it's absolutely critical. That means - don't browse mindlessly, check social media, or news etc. Then all you have left is basically the occasional work related email that is urgent, which can probably be taken care of in mere seconds unless you need to action something.
- graemep 3y ago
  > That means - don't browse mindlessly, check social media, or news etc. A good thing to do anyway. > Then all you have left is basically the occasional work related email that is urgent, I tell clients I do not check email regularly. If something is urgent they can phone or text message.
matt3D 3y ago
Seems odd to say, but we just don't. It hasn't really been hard at all. He just gets involved in everything around the house. He helps cook and clean and look after his baby brother.
gotbeans 3y ago
I think there are levels of dedication, and parenthood expectations of what having a child is going to be like play a major role. I'm going to be a father in a couple months and I'm observing most of my friends who did care about avoiding screens for their children give up partially on the idea because they've categorized it borderline impossible. I'm talking about parents who did deeply and seriously care about it prior having the kid. Meanwhile I have two othwr friends who kinda got away with no screens. But i feel they do put a lot more effort for it. So my take observing those samples: expectation management and be self-aware of how much sacrifice does it take. If anyone has more adivice on this I'd appreciate too.
- InitialLastName 3y ago
  The strategy my SO and I have found works well with our toddler is to find activities to replace the scrolling habit with activities that provide a better model for him (but can still occupy us). We both read paper books around him, under the theory that he can't tell "reading a book on the phone" from "scrolling social media", or do our versions of crafts, or reach out to contact friends and family. There's a plus side for us as well, since reading, doing hobbies, and being in closer touch with friends is what we would (in our unwarped-by-phone-addiction moments) rather be spending our time doing.

sgt 3y ago

I also have a toddler. Basically you don't use your phone near your child unless it's absolutely critical. That means - don't browse mindlessly, check social media, or news etc. Then all you have left is basically the occasional work related email that is urgent, which can probably be taken care of in mere seconds unless you need to action something.

graemep 3y ago
> That means - don't browse mindlessly, check social media, or news etc. A good thing to do anyway. > Then all you have left is basically the occasional work related email that is urgent, I tell clients I do not check email regularly. If something is urgent they can phone or text message.

matt3D 3y ago

Seems odd to say, but we just don't. It hasn't really been hard at all. He just gets involved in everything around the house. He helps cook and clean and look after his baby brother.

gotbeans 3y ago

I think there are levels of dedication, and parenthood expectations of what having a child is going to be like play a major role. I'm going to be a father in a couple months and I'm observing most of my friends who did care about avoiding screens for their children give up partially on the idea because they've categorized it borderline impossible. I'm talking about parents who did deeply and seriously care about it prior having the kid. Meanwhile I have two othwr friends who kinda got away with no screens. But i feel they do put a lot more effort for it. So my take observing those samples: expectation management and be self-aware of how much sacrifice does it take. If anyone has more adivice on this I'd appreciate too.

InitialLastName 3y ago
The strategy my SO and I have found works well with our toddler is to find activities to replace the scrolling habit with activities that provide a better model for him (but can still occupy us). We both read paper books around him, under the theory that he can't tell "reading a book on the phone" from "scrolling social media", or do our versions of crafts, or reach out to contact friends and family. There's a plus side for us as well, since reading, doing hobbies, and being in closer touch with friends is what we would (in our unwarped-by-phone-addiction moments) rather be spending our time doing.