Parenting often involves navigating between what’s best for children and what satisfies them in the moment. A prime example is screen time—a source of contention between kids’ desires and health recommendations. Bodies like the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry advocate for limited screen exposure. This tug-of-war can leave parents grappling with guilt when deciding whether to allow or restrict device use.
Addressing this dilemma, clinical psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy, founder of the parenting advice platform Good Inside, emphasizes that prioritizing children’s happiness isn’t the primary goal of parenting. Instead, she underscores the importance of parental decision-making and empathizing with children’s emotions.
Dr. Becky likens parenting to piloting an airplane, where the parent acts as the pilot making decisions for the safety and well-being of all passengers—the children. In this analogy, setting boundaries around screen time is a way to ensure children’s safety, much like a pilot diverting a flight to a safer location in an emergency.
To alleviate guilt and confidently navigate screen time decisions, Dr. Becky offers several insights:
Screen Time Tips for Guilt-Free Parenting
1. Understand the Root of Guilt
Guilt about screen time often stems from broader parenting challenges, such as feeling overwhelmed or lacking support. Rather than letting guilt consume or ignore it, Dr. Becky encourages parents to reflect on its origins. Is the guilt driven by concerns about excessive screen exposure, societal pressure, or comparison with other parents?
2. Assert Your Parental Authority
Parents must recognize their role as decision-makers in their children’s lives. Despite children’s protests or resistance to new rules, clear communication about changes in screen time habits is essential. Providing structure and consistency helps children understand expectations and reduces power struggles.
3. Embrace Flexibility and Self-Compassion
Parents should trust their ability to adapt and adjust rules as needed. Acknowledging that no decision is permanent allows for course corrections without guilt. Embracing flexibility and self-compassion empowers parents to prioritize their children’s well-being while navigating the challenges of modern parenting.
By understanding the underlying causes of guilt, asserting parental authority with clear communication, and embracing flexibility, parents can make informed screen time decisions without succumbing to guilt.
