Submitted by Sue Baldauf, Bedford Youth and Family Services
A recent column in the New York Times called “Limit Children’s Screen Time, and Your Own” by Jane E. Brody (NY Times, Tuesday, July 14, 2015, page D7, Personal Health) focused on how device-free family gatherings can help parents control children’s screen time more effectively and served as a reminder to Bedford’s goals with the Bedford Families Unplugged events over the last several years.
In the article, family therapist Susan Stiffelman reports today’s parents as “unprepared to deal with the intense pull and highly addictive nature of what the online world has to offer. As parents, we have an opportunity to guide our kids so that they can learn habits that help them make use of the digital world, without being swallowed by it.”
The article offers suggestions about parents setting limits on their on screen time to give full attention to their children at critical times of the day, i.e., before school in the morning, after school in the afternoon, after the work day, during meal time at home or at a restaurant, to name a sample. Parents are encouraged to make time for real life activities with their children that lets kids know they are worth the time and undivided attention, doing things that nourish the relationship and can help foster your child’s own sense of balance and limits.
The article mentions several resources that might help parents who are struggling with this who would like more information or ideas, among them the following:
- Outsmarting the Smart Screens: A Parent’s Guide to the Tools That Are Here to Help,” by Steven Gortmaker and Kaley Skapinsky, Harvard School of Public Health (free on line www.hsph.harvard.edu/prc/2015/01/07/outsmarting-the-smart-screens)
- “The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age,” by Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair
- “Parenting with Presence,” by Susan Stiffelman
Given that Bedford as a community is not formally observing Bedford Families Unplugged this year, it is up to each of us to figure out our own systems for ensuring quality family time and nurturing relationships, and it is hoped the above resources might provide some guidance. Could there be at least one evening each week that was “unplugged,” meaning everyone having dinner together and having a night with the family without electronic distraction? Could you as a parent come home each night from work and walk in the door “unplugged,” using the first hour at home as a time to reconnect with family? Could you help your son or daughter to plan their school work so that they could have a homework free evening once a month or even once a week? Together let’s make our lives balance with “unplugged” moments.
If you have questions or want more information, visit Bedford Youth and Family Services website at www.bedfordma.gov/youth or give them a call at 781-275-7727.
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