November 21, 2025 The Screen Time Struggle: Finding Balance in Our Digital-First World
“Life is about balance. Be kind, but don’t let people abuse you. Trust, but don’t be deceived. Be content but never stop improving yourself.” — Zig Ziglar
Listen to, or read this meditation:
Let me tell you something I see every single day: parents beating themselves up over screen time. You’re worried your kids are glued to their tablets. You’re concerned about TikTok and YouTube rabbit holes. And honestly? You’re probably reading this on your phone right now, feeling a little guilty about your own scrolling habits.
Here’s the truth, friend: we’re all figuring this out together.
Our kids are growing up in a world we never imagined. When I was young, “screen time” meant watching Saturday morning cartoons. Now? Screens are everywhere-in our pockets, on our wrists, even in our cars. We can’t put the digital genie back in the bottle, and honestly, we shouldn’t try.
But here’s what we can do: we can get smarter about balance.
Think about it like this. Food isn’t bad, right? But if your kid ate nothing but cookies all day, you’d have a problem. Screens are the same way. They’re not evil. They’re tools. The question isn’t whether our kids should use them-it’s how they use them.
There’s a huge difference between your daughter creating art on an iPad and mindlessly watching unboxing videos for three hours. There’s a difference between your son video-chatting with grandma and playing violent games alone in his room until midnight. Not all screen time is created equal.
So here’s my take: stop counting minutes like a referee with a stopwatch. Instead, pay attention to what’s happening around the screens. Is your kid still playing outside? Are they having real conversations at dinner? Can they entertain themselves without a device? Are they sleeping okay? Those are your real measuring sticks.
And here’s the kicker—you’ve got to model what you want to see. If you’re constantly on your phone, your kids will be too. They’re watching you more than you know. When you choose to put down your device and be present, you’re teaching them something powerful about priorities and self-control.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. Some days will be better than others. That’s called being human. What matters is that you’re thinking about it, talking about it, and making intentional choices.
We’re raising kids in uncharted territory. There’s no perfect manual for this digital age. But you know what? You’re doing better than you think. Trust yourself. Set boundaries that make sense for your family. And remember: connection—real, face-to-face, eye-to-eye connection-will always matter more than any app.
Action Step: This week, create one “device-free zone” in your home—maybe the dinner table or bedrooms after 8 PM. Start small, stay consistent, and watch what happens when everyone unplugs together.
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