Manage Your Own Screen Time with These Pro Tips from Moms
Limiting our own screen time can be incredibly challenging, especially when our devices serve as a quick escape from the stresses of daily life. Many moms strive to cut down on screen use, not just for their own well-being, but to set a positive example for their children and ensure they're fully present during those precious moments together. It's a common struggle many of us face, regardless of how determined we are. Below, you'll find a list of practical tactics that real moms have successfully used to manage their screen time. Feel free to experiment with these strategies to discover what works best for you in creating a more mindful and engaged family environment.
1. Make Your Phone Boring
Delete as many apps as possible — especially social media — and switch your phone’s screen from color to grayscale. Making your phone less appealing will decrease the urge to check it. If you want to take it a step further, consider buying a “dumbphone.” Companies like Techless, Light, and others are making phones that are intentionally low-tech and design-forward.
2. Limit notifications
Set up your phone so that you only get important notifications. Or, ditch the phone entirely, and use an Apple Watch (or Android equivalent) to get your important notifications on the go.
3. Bring Back the 90s
Embrace a "90s Childhood" approach by placing the phone in a specific spot, just like the family landline, and only check it for essential calls or texts. When your phone is out of reach, it will be out of mind.
4. Embrace the Pomodoro
Set specific times for phone tasks to ensure that mobile use is planned and limited. Try the Pomodoro Technique, a time management method that involves breaking work into 25-minute intervals of focused effort, called "Pomodoros," separated by short breaks to boost productivity and maintain mental freshness.
5. Set limits
Use an app that limits screen time can help manage the amount of time spent on the phone. Many apps, like Opal, one sec, and ScreenZen, provide “warning messages” (Do you really want to open this app?) and/or enable you to set time limits on an app-by-app basis.
6. Find Altneratives
When reaching for the phone as an escape, consider the underlying reasons and explore healthier alternatives to meet personal needs. Replacing phone time with reading, knitting, or puzzles not only provides a beneficial escape but also sets a positive example for children.