Screen Time Strategies Become A Calm Mama

Today I'm tackling the topic of screens, screen time limits, devices, all of it. And I am going to help you feel better about your kids’ device use. This is a master class on managing screens in your family. So grab a pen and paper and get ready.
Let’s be honest - we all love screens. 
I love lots of things, like nature, my friends, my kids, my dogs. And I really like being on my phone and watching TV. 
But the fact that our kids also love devices drives us crazy as parents. We know devices are fun for them, but we’re annoyed when they won’t put them down. We worry about them getting too much screen time, and we don’t like the way they act when it’s time to stop. 
Why Screens Are HardI see a lot of parents that are really worried that their child is addicted to screens. They ask for device time frequently, and then they don’t want to stop. We use this as evidence that they’re addicted. 
Parents also have conflicting feelings around screen time, which can be really confusing. 
We feel compassion because they want to connect with their friends and have something to do. But then we feel guilty because we don’t know if we’re doing the right thing or how much screen time is too much.
When you’re feeling worried, frustrated, annoyed, guilty and confused, you aren’t going to make the clearest decisions. 
What We All Want When it Come to ScreensWhen it comes to our goal for parenting with screens, I’m guessing that you want your family to feel balanced and connected to each other. You want screen time to be a part of your life, but not completely consuming your life. You don't want it to be everything your kids do.
I bet you also want there to be less fighting when you say no to screen time or when it’s time to stop. 
And you also probably want to feel really clear about your rules around screens and to see that it is possible to implement them with more ease.
5 Obstacles Parents Face Around Screen TimeYou judge your kid’s desire for the device
When they ask for screen time, you feel upset by their desire. 
The truth is, we all love our devices, and screens are an easy way for the brain to be entertained or distracted. It helps us get rid of that uncomfortable bored feeling. 
Their inability to put down the device on their own does not mean your kid is lazy, unmotivated or anything else. Video games and social media are designed to keep the viewer engaged and keep them coming back. 
The pull of the device is natural.
Thinking your kid is “addicted”
This is one that I hear a lot. Not only is it not true in the vast majority of families, but this thought creates fear in you and makes the situation more emotionally charged. 
If you are thinking that your kid is addicted, you're going to look for evidence of that being true. 
Evidence like:
They ask for it all the timeThey don't like to get offThey seem physically affected by screensThey prefer screens over being with peopleThey don't know how to stop
But instead, I want you to think that the desire for devices is normal. It doesn’t mean anything has gone wrong. 
Kids like things that are fun, and being on a device is fun. Wanting something doesn’t mean someone is addicted. 
Your kids not being okay with being bored
When you start setting limits around screens, your kid is going to have big feelings. If your child isn't okay with being bored, it's going to be a big issue for you at the beginning because their brain does not know quite yet how to shift into something new.
When kids are bored, they feel uncomfortable. I call this the Boredom Gap. 
The good news is that the more time they spend away from devices, the more...