Ok, I’ll go there. Reluctantly, but I’ll go there.

Teens, kids, children, (don’t forget adults) and video games. Or we can go all encompassing and say screen time. Probably the most mentioned subject in my office on any given week. Oh, the frustration that accompanies the words when both parents and their kids discuss this “highly important” subject. And the cliches come pouring out from everywhere. “When I was a kid we played with sticks and enjoyed it”, “this generation doesn’t go outside anymore”, “I want to just throw the (insert gaming system) out of the window”.

Heard it. I get it. “it’s an epidemic”. So what’s the solution? Hmmm. Most parents give what they feel to be the best approach without any prompting, and most of the time the answers are pretty similar… “I know we need to put limits on the (insert gaming system)”. There you go. One solution that seems to be helpful. However, it can be much easier said than done. Kids are quiet and occupied when they are on any device with a screen. There’s no sibling arguments (unless they are arguing about said screen). Many times there’s a social component to gaming that allows connection to the outside world. Plenty of speed bumps that slow down parents’ decision to cut the cord… or at least limit the time the cord is supplying life to the device.

How about this? First you, yes you, as the parent, limit your fixation on a device. Huhhem, your phone. See how that goes. First, how difficult it is, but more importantly what it does for your focus, attention, connection to others, mood, etc.. You may find quite the benefit to limiting this thumb scrolling behavior. if you do, experiencing that first hand may increase that motivation to disconnect your kids, regardless of the collateral benefits for you that come with their being tethered to (insert screen name).

That’s part 1 in a 543 part series on kids and screen time. Not sure if I’ll get to part 2.