Summer Screen Time & Self-Regulation

La la la lavaaaa. la la la chickennnn.

We’re not one of those households where screen time is restricted, let’s just get that clear from the outset. We also don’t call it ‘screen time’ because screen time (to me) sounds very 2016 Mum Blog-gy/judgey and we instead call it ‘watching the telly’ or ‘playing your Nintendo’. Plus lumping it together, I feel, doesn’t help contribute to this discussion or similar ones about downtime in a helpful way - ‘screen time’ doesn't allow for considering the nuances - what kind of show is being watched, what skills are being practised when building on Minecraft etc.

The use of technology as a self-regulation tool is strong here; it’s something our son heavily leans on in moments of feeling like he needs escape, calm, downtime. While we’re very outdoorsy and sociable, we also recognise the need for relaxation and switching off and this is probably why I never really care or mind when he wants to sit quietly and do something less active. We have one main rule; no-one goes up to their room with technology. It’s play and socialise or don’t play at all.