In today's digital age, finding the right balance with screen time is a challenge that many parents face. Screens are not going away, and they are sure to be a significant part of our children's future. So, what does that mean for us as parents?

Parental Mindset: Shaping Our Children's Future

As parents, we are responsible for ensuring our children's future and success. What we do today imprints and brings out tomorrow. This is why it's essential to consider our parental mindset when it comes to screen time.

Ask yourself, "What outcome am I trying to achieve for my child?" 

Some suggestions could be...

• A productive and ethical citizen that is contributing toward society.
• A responsible adult who has the ability to research and determine their own path toward success. 
• A young woman with the self-confidence to achieve her goals and carve her own path.  

Creative Productivity: Finding the Balance

One approach to finding balance is to show value with production actions. This doesn't mean things have to be serious all the time. Making creative productivity a priority can be a great way to find balance. It's about figuring out what is a good ratio for your child's productivity vs. entertainment. The idea is to make productivity more entertaining than mindless entertainment.

A Personal Story: Embracing Creativity

I remember when my kids introduced me to @smosh. Initially, I viewed it as mindless entertainment. In all truth, I really didn't like it. However, I had a policy as a mom it was, "Choose my battles." I knew that if I fought against it, they would simply find another way (and probably sneak) to watch it. This approach would only set us up for a loss.

Instead, I decided to take a different approach. I asked them to figure out why millions were interested in @smosh. Then, I asked them why that person was any different from them. This exercise helped them realize that they too could produce creative ideas. Eventually, they became bored of that particular subject, but they had created numerous great videos with their friends in the process!

Conclusion: Finding Your Balance

In conclusion, finding the right balance with screen time is about more than just limiting hours. It's about fostering a mindset that values creativity and productivity. By embracing creativity and encouraging our children to explore their interests, we can help them find a healthy balance with screens and set them up for success in the future.