#15 Screen Time: Dark Truths, Alternative Approaches, & Your Example

In this episode, we share how we've approached screen time with our kids over the past 13 years and why we've made choices that go against what most families do. We talk about what we've observed in our own children when we limit their exposure to screens, phones, and devices - and what we've noticed in ourselves when we've made changes to our own habits.

What We Cover:

• Why we decided early on to take a different path with technology
• The alternatives we've found that actually work (Yoto players, audiobooks, outdoor time)
• How we handle the peer pressure and "but everyone else gets to" conversations
• What we do when we do allow screen time (blue light glasses, specific content choices)
• Why we think the morning sunlight and outdoor time matters more than most people realize
• How our own relationship with phones and screens affects our kids

Our Practical Approach:

• What we use instead of iPads for entertainment
• The compromise we've found for necessary technology
• Why we think the bar is set too low for what kids actually need
• What we've learned about our kids' attention spans and creativity when screens aren't an option

We're not trying to convince anyone to do exactly what we do, but we wanted to share what we've discovered works for our families. Sometimes the path that feels harder upfront ends up being the easier one in the long run.