We get home after a long day at work. I place my 5 year old in bed after carrying him from the car. I am presently planning how to tackle the thousands of chores that lay ahead of me.
Soon he awakens and is waiting for me to serve him his dinner, rather impatiently. He has now eaten and soon he will return to his normal self and the possible reign of terror will end, but first let’s wash his curly locks.
Bath time. Bathing – no problem. Washing his luscious locks – problem. I am going in. He will be clean, soon enough.
Water is everywhere. There are intense shrieks mixed with the possible sound of what could be mistaken for a cow giving birth and then just like that, it is done. He has eaten, played, bathed, his hair is washed, and he is now in his pajamas – well done Mom (if I don’t say it myself who will?).
And now, it’s screen time…
Something so many of us are judged for or have questioned ourselves “How much is too much or are we harming our children by allowing it?” I know. But you know what? Screen time, if used appropriately and given a limit, could actually have a few benefits of its own.
I have learnt over the years that we need to choose our battles and choose them wisely. Some screen time per day can be helpful in many ways, we need to give ourselves a break, don’t you think?
- It allows them to have “down time” and allows you to have “you time” (we can’t be supermom every minute of every day).
- It can be used for educational purposes (yes, they can learn from it). They can learn about various topics like art, writing, mathematics, and the list goes on.
- Screen time can be an effective method of communication between family members (a discussion on what they have played or watched).
- It could encourage fitness or health (interactive games that the entire family can play).
- Screen time encourages our children to have an interest in technology (especially in an ever-evolving world this is necessary).
- It can further bonding in terms of relationships by co-playing, co-viewing and sharing.
So after his bath and as he curled up on the couch, I took some much needed time out, sat next to him and we did screen time, together, and you know what? We chatted, we laughed, and we bonded.
So stop the guilt and give yourself a break…there’s a time to be the supermom that you already are and there’s a time to just be human.
