Screentime struggles? You’re not alone!

As parents, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the ongoing challenges of managing screen time and trying to make the best decisions in a world filled with constant digital demands.

We may find ourselves feeling...

• Drained by the constant battles, tears, and tantrums.

• Disillusioned by how to stay on top of it all.

• Weighed down by guilt for relying on screens to get through the day.

• Worried about how screen time could be affecting our child’s development and mental well-being.

• Overwhelmed by the mass of information about screens, smartphones, social media, and gaming, especially when the advice is so often conflicting, leaving us unsure of the best way forward.

Navigating screen time can stir up a whole mix of emotions.

“Just five more minutes.” Sound familiar? It does to me! 😊
We’re only human—sometimes we just want to keep the peace, especially when we’re not quite ready to face all those big feelings.

Setting limits around screens often comes with a wave of resistance, and with it, frequently an emotional storm. Parenting really is a rollercoaster of emotions, isn’t it. No wonder we’re completely drained by the end of the day!

Turning off their favourite show or stopping their game isn’t easy for children. Big feelings arise which impacts their behaviour. How we manage these emotions and behaviours will be influenced by their impact on us and how we’re feeling.

Are we reacting or responding?

Feelings such as overwhelm, exhaustion, guilt and frustration push us into reactive mode. It’s very difficult for us to be our best selves in this mode. We can’t think clearly, we may shout, give unnecessary or harsh consequences, we may say things we later regret, we can’t communicate effectively, and we lose connection with our child. The struggles begin.

So, how can we lessen the struggles? How can we respond and navigate screen time with greater strength, calm, and ease?

The techniques, concepts, and strategies taught in the Thrive and Transform Course effectively support all of this, while also helping you stay connected to your child and deepen your relationship along the way.

Thrive – builds strength and boosts your resilience so you’re able to handle these situations calmly and with patience. Your thinking becomes clearer, and you easily find solutions that are ‘right’ for you and your family. The quick and simple self-regulation techniques support both you and your child as you co-regulate. You notice your child calms quicker, and over time, you find they easily and happily transition off the screen and into play (yes, this will happen!)  

Thrive and Transform – goes deeper, exploring ways to manage screen time, issues surrounding screen time, and dealing with challenging behaviour. We also consider various devices, such as smartphones, and when to introduce them.

Smartphone Free Childhood is a growing movement of 150,000 parents (currently) in the UK who are coming together to support each other in delaying access to smartphones and social media for their children.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to volunteer for SFC as the Regional Leader of Herefordshire. I am keen to create awareness of this movement and bring parents in Herefordshire together to support one another and also to encourage schools in becoming genuinely smartphone-free.

SFC are not anti-tech, we’re pro-childhood.

SFC are aware that technology has huge benefits for all of us and creates amazing opportunities. But we believe children should be able to benefit from it when the time is right and where the products are safe. Childhood is precious and fleeting, and we believe that all children should be allowed to grow up free from the addictive-by-design algorithms and inappropriate content of smartphones.

As parents, we can make a difference!

Check out the Smartphone Free Childhood website. There is a host of wonderful resources and information on there. You’ll find the link to sign the parent pact and ways to get involved.

If you’re in Herefordshire, email me for details of the local What’s App group, presentation dates, ways to get involved, support, and more!