Tips for Eliminating Screen Time | How Our Family Cut Out Screens

Thank you for this video! I have two young toddlers that i also strugle to keep entertained all day alone but like you said, no excuses! Thank you

Thank you so much for sharing this in a non-judgemental way. I have had so much trouble finding realistic tips like this as a work from home military spouse. I desperately want to cut out screen time for my kids and I hope this will help at least to start phasing it out!

You are very inspirational.

I am so thankful for this video! I have always felt intense guilt for giving my child screen time. I was using it as a crutch so that I could have some breaks during the day. It got to the point where I finally put the tv under our stairs this last week. I look forward to being free of that guilt and allowing our children to grow up in a home that really nourishes their mind.

I have a 2 1/2 year old. And she always ask her dad for the t.v. and I have to be the one to say no. But when it's just me at home she doesn't bother asking. I keep her busy. However my home takes a hit.

It can be done mommas! I have a 9, 5, 3, 1 year old with zero screens except for drawing tutorials, diy homestead videos (a project they are interested in) and a few here and there for homeschool topics. There's no set time for screens or movies or games. Im not saying this to brag but i grew up with the tv on literally all the time, movies, games all the time. Only the Lord could do this in my home & mind. My kids get bored, they fight, they are normal kids but screens are just never a fall back that they'd think to ask for. Great ideas in this video! ❤❤

Hi Larrisa thank you so much for this video 🙏🏻 it’s exactly what I needed.
You did mention in the beginning of the video that it’s very hot where you live, and I wanted to ask how you got over that fact and managed to spend so much time outdoors, cause I’m really struggling with that. It’s barely cool enough outside past my daughter’s bedtime, let alone before.

m y concern is having the support of my family. what can i do going to families houses that have tv and may think its silly that i want this for my kids.

Tips
Art and play attention
Plan your day ahead
Involve them in house chores
Spend time in nature

7 & 4....and you cut out screens 3 years ago. Cool. Gimme tips for taking a screen away from an 11 year old. Thanks

Love this! My husband and I use screens very little. I'm pregnant with our first and desire not to introduce screens for a long time and then with strong limits.

I have been searching endlessly for help as a new mom to a 17 month old not having any family to help me with much while my husband works and also transitioning from the 9-5 to being a SAHM I turned to a tablet when she hit 1 but I can totally tell she is much different when she has less screen time and more outside time. I just struggle with what that looks like. Coming across your video helped me with how I can implement change and tips. I am a very schedule-like person and routine but I just didn’t know where to start or how. Thank you so much you just gained a subscriber and I look forward to more helpful and grace-filled content. God bless you

I have been a stay at home parent for the most of Newley 14 years. You are so smart and helpful. I really appreciate you. I grew up with less structure, and so I have to try harder to create that schedule for my children. Thank you for the tips…I still need them.

About the invitation, do you have the stuff locked away or out of reach for them and then only you have access? I have a whole “art table” and like the idea of less stuff at a time

I’m not sure if you check old comments, but I do have a question! What do you do during times of sickness? We’re trying to move to less screen time and doing quite well so far - except when the kids get really sick and we watch comfort shows. This is mostly when they don’t have a lot of energy but also aren’t ready to sleep. We’ve done audio books and quiet toys but they often don’t have the energy for anything too complicated. Would love to hear some other ideas! Thanks

So do you own a TV, but just don't turn it on? Or how do you watch the few things you mentioned?

What toys do you recommend? I heard magnatiles. What else has good play value? Thank you! :)

Very, very helpful. I will be starting this this week. Thank you!

Would love to know if you have any book recommendations surrounding screen time. Ty 💛

So many people seem to use "Well, they NEED to know IT/technology in this world" as an excuse when really, what is a 3 year old or a 7 year old getting from watching TV or playing on the iPad that they truly NEED? Of course there is the push for everyone to go into STEM, but there are screen free STEM toys and well...I won't get into how I feel about that now. Now I do think that teaching them how to type and research online/look things up is beneficial when they are older (as in middle/high school). But early screen entertainment doesn't really prepare them for that.

I always felt like public school has way too much screen time and pressure to conform and participate in a ton of out of school screen time. Even back in the day, I'd dread going to school on certain days because a certain show was on the night before and would be all everyone would talk about that day at school. So many people my age grew up in houses where the TV was always on and now can't live another way, it seems.

I recently found out how much some of my mainstream friends etc. spend on subscriptions services, most of them being TV. All I can say is WOW. I'm so out of the loop since I haven't had/watched TV since 2007. Going for a walk in a residential area on a lovely spring/summer evening is an odd experience. Usually you'll see TVs flickering behind every window plus the occasional computer/video game and be the only person outside minus some dog walkers.

I have a two year old son and a two month old. My son likes to have on compilations of steam trains. When they're on, sometimes he watches and most times he just likes the activity it adds to the atmosphere. Otherwise it's constant 'mama play!' Even when he knows I'm busy, he forgets. Wouldn't put on a fictional show though.

If I could go back in time I would never have had screens. Now my kids are 14,12,9,5 (two adults also), and I really don’t know how to take them out without crushing them.. mostly my 14 year old.

My daughter is 9 years old and getting too addicted to her tablet thanks for the tips as I want to eliminate screens for her and also for myself, it's such a time waster and stops kids imagination and creativity

Thank you! Amazingly useful video for a new mum! My son is almost 1 yo and I want to cut my screen time too! Not just my child needs these invitations but me too! 😊

Very motivating! This is where I'd like to get, with a weekly family movie thrown in :) Right now, my situation is unusual. I work an admin job from home with 3 kiddos, oldest is 4, youngest is 7 weeks. Very stressful to pickup the phone, needing to be professional, and have someone hear my kid melting down in the background. Peppa Pig and Mister Rogers make that go away lol
That said, I've still cut out roughly 7.5 hours of screen time they were used to getting. I like your tips to make TV time family time. I know they want more time with me, and I'm so exhausted and stretched thin. We're planning a move next year that will be my switch to SAHM, so I'm optimistic that we will get to screen-free land before long! In the meantime, I can definitely push myself to cut more TV.

Thank you so much for the encouragement.

Our homeschooling family has been screen free for about 8 years, and it was such a wise choice! Our home is so much more joyful and peaceful. The earlier you get them off screens, the easier it will be. Thank you for sharing these helpful tips.

This was extremely helpful! I have a 2.5 year old and a 1 year old and I am so over the tv time for my oldest! I can be an anxious mama at times so I am thankful for you introducing me to Janet Lansbury!

The bane of every homeschool mother's life! So useful but also so destructive. Great tips!

Hey, what would you recommend when at a friends or relatives house and they use screens?

I have a 9 yr old and a 4 yr old but I work full time (40hrs) from home so my situation is very different from yours but I really want to at least cut down the amt of time my 9 and 4 yr old spend watching screens:/ These tips are all very helpful and am going to try to come up with a schedule for them at least on the weekends and maybe in the evenings during the week. The other struggle I have though is getting my husband on board as he is addicted to his phone:/

I think it is important to make changes gradually over a couple weeks if children are used to a lot of screen time. For example, if they watch TV in the morning and afternoon, start by planning something else to do during the morning screen time such as spending the morning at a park. After a few days or a week of cutting out the morning time start to reduce the afternoon time. I love the "invitation" idea. When one show is over you could say, "ok, we are going to turn the TV off now and bake some cookies!". Another idea is to replace a TV show with educational screen time like an art tutorial.

These tips are incredible! I will definitely be trying out the play and art invitations. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel!

When my step daughter is at her mothers house she’s dependent on the tablet. When she’s with her father and I she doesn’t ask for it. We do activities and such with her.

This was so helpful thank you! My daugher is five and addicted to YT and Roblox. She just started school two days ago. Do you think i can still fix this issue :(

Yes! Pursue other interest. I agree and love it 💕 I have a rule to not turn on any electronics until after 5 pm. I still want to eliminate it completely.

Do you have any suggestions for when children go to a sitter or daycare where screens are used most of the day? Also we live way up North where most of the year is spent inside due to cold weather and snow.

Hi. I’m 12 years old and I actually cut out screens myself. (Apart from videos about screen-free parenting). I’ve been really happy since I’ve reduced my screen usage. But.. my parents always have them on and I’m trying to get them to stop. ❤

By screen free I’m assuming you mean “entertaining the kids on a screen” free, since your blog/Instagram/channel are on screens?

Mine is now 11 and the screen struggle is major. I’ve been trying for years. How do you turn this ship around at this older age?

This really helped for encouragement and ideas thanks so much

I found your video extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing the many tips, tricks, and advice…they’re practical!

You are amazing. Seriously so inspiring!! Thank you for making this!!

I was so mad ppl always say let them have screen time. An Aba therapist told me that videos are highly helpful for autistic kids in learning new skills i said there inappropriate stuff on the net. Next time I’m going to tell her my kid falls a sleep faster, and look up at my face which he didn’t do it’s great for connecting with surrounding

Kind of off topic but what is the classical music piece you play in your videos. My daughter wants to listen to it. Thank you!

I love this! I really want to be screen free with my kids! Looking for good advice on how to do it because sometimes it feels impossible! Thank you for the help!

Great tips! Thank you!