Reducing Screen Time as a Parent: What’s Actually Working for Our Family

Screentime. This is now a constantly debated topic among families. It involves Gen Z’s phone use, Alpha kiddos on tablets and us, the Millennial parents. The millennials are the last generation to have a phone free childhood and known for spending far too much time on social media. We love it, we hate it and the research is pouring in on all the reasons why phones, social media, screen time (and so on) is not ideal for our preteens and teens.

Here’s whats been on my mind recently when it comes to phone use… how can we set boundaries around screens or tell our younger generations that it’s better to get outside when we ourselves, are consistently picking up our phones? Maybe it’s just, me but I have found myself setting the wrong example far too often. This is only solidified in the moments my three year old brings me my phone and says “You forgot this mom!” when I was purposely paying less attention to it… thanks?!

So, in hopes to truly lead by example, while also being intentional around my own phone use, I’ve tried a few “new” things to keep me on track. Take or leave it but so far, these three “screen time hacks” have transformed the way I interact with my phone and therefore, those around me!

1. Social Media Time Management

While app time limits on our phones have been around for awhile, it seems not everyone uses this feature! I am an iPhone user and when you head into screen time settings, you are able to set limits on various apps. I have purposefully set my social media app of choice (Instagram) to 30 minutes a day meaning that after 30 minutes of use, a notification pops up that I have hit my time limit. It does offer options of either extending by 1 minute, 15 minutes or ignoring the time limit for the rest of the day (which I may do if I am “working” on Instagram creating reels and such) but is otherwise a great reminder of how much time I’ve spent on the app. Highly recommend setting limits on the apps you find yourself mindlessly using throughout the day and adhering to the “time’s up” notification when you can!

2. Aro Box

Yep, mmhmm this is correct… I bought a box for my phone! It seems outrageous and *still* attempting to get my husband on board but I am obsessed with The Aro Box! It’s a large box with a lid that sits on our entryway counter (it’s pretty to look at as picture below) and holds up to 5 phones with one wireless charger and four built in chargers. The box is free with a monthly subscription (and one year commitment) and will continue to work as a charger if you choose to cancel your subscription. The Aro Box uses bluetooth to connect to the app on your phone which essentially gamifies no phone use. The app tracks when you put the phone in the box (you can also start a session by flipping your phone over), sends reminders to take phone breaks throughout your day AND notifies you when someone else in your household is using the box too. Sometimes it just takes some healthy competition right?!

What I love about this idea is that when my phone is “in the box”, I know where it is and I am no longer mindlessly picking it up to check for texts, google something unnecessary or delete my incoming emails. This has helped me stay off my phone when I’m hanging out with my husband or kids (making my time with them more intentional too). My favorite part is putting my phone in the box the minute I’m home from work until the kids go to bed – it feels so freeing!!

Do you really need a fancy bluetooth box to decrease phone use?? No, probably not because disclaimer: this won’t work for everyone! However, there are a million other ways to put our phones away like plugging it into a pantry or having a designated charging station away from the living/dining area. I would say “the box” has led me to having more time to think creatively and thus, start blogging! But maybe I would have done that anyways 🙂

3. I bought an alarm clock…

Like a real, usable alarm clock and no longer keep my phone next to my bed. While I do put my phone in the box at night, you could easily leave your phone downstairs or in a different room from where you sleep. I do keep the volume on loud and can still hear it ring in the event of an emergency call.

My new alarm clock though? It’s sweet! It has white noise, a bluetooth connection for music and I wake up to chirping birds every morning… so peaceful! My favorite part might be the dimmer because I absolutely love to sleep in as dark a room as possible.

Not having my phone right before bed is a weird but lovely feeling. I love that it’s not the first thing I snag or look at when I wake up. This has left my mornings open to productivity or creativity such as working out, going on a walk, reading a parenting book or like today, writing a blog! No more stress first thing in the am when I notice a work e-mail that came through or a text I forgot to respond to. Truly cannot recommend this routine change enough.

Like I said…

Take it or leave it! Maybe you have amazing self control or no concerns about screen time or you think putting your phone in a box is incredibly ridiculous (which it is but I’m here for it). If you are striving to change your relationship with your phone or social media, I do hope one of these tips is helpful. Please leave a comment below if you have other screen time hacks that we would all benefit from hearing too 🙂

Alright, gotta go put my phone in the box for a bit…! Until next time.

With a little NW attitude,

Katrina