Hey there, all you amazing young parents ! In today's digital age, setting the right screen time limits for your kids can be tricky. But worry not, because I’m here to share my wealth of parenting experience to help you navigate this digital playground successfully. Together, let's ensure that  our children strike the perfect balance between screen time and other important activities.

1. The Importance of Setting Screen Time Limits:

Let's get started on why setting screen time limits is so vital. It's not just about curbing our child's screen use; it's about ensuring their overall well-being. Limiting screen time helps maintain their physical health by discouraging a sedentary lifestyle, reducing the risk of obesity and related health issues. Additionally, it plays a significant role in nurturing their social skills by encouraging face-to-face interactions, enhancing communication abilities, and building empathy. Let's not forget about creativity – limiting screen time allows our child to explore non-digital interests and activities, which are crucial for their holistic development.

2 Age-Appropriate Guidelines:

Guiding our child's screen time by age is essential.

-For toddlers aged 2-5, let's limit screen time to no more than one hour per day and focus on high-quality educational apps and programs that foster early learning skills, like alphabet recognition and basic problem-solving. Co-viewing and interactive discussions during screen time can enhance their comprehension and engagement.

-As your child grows into the school-aged group (6-12), consider allowing up to two hours of screen time daily but emphasize a balanced approach. Encourage them to explore educational content, hobbies, and creative outlets while setting clear limits on recreational screen time.

-For teenagers (13+), the focus should shift toward responsible self-regulation. Set guidelines for schoolwork completion and household chores before leisure screen time. Open communication about their online activities and responsible digital citizenship is essential. These tailored guidelines ensure that screen time aligns with their developmental stage.

3. Quality Over Quantity:

Not all screen time is created equal, so make the most of it. Emphasize the importance of consuming quality content. Seek out educational apps and games that stimulate learning and skill development. Parental control tools can be our best friend here, helping us filter content and restrict access to anything inappropriate. Do not forget to engage with your child during screen time, watching and discussing the content together to reinforce learning and critical thinking can be a game changer. By focusing on quality rather than quantity, we can ensure that our child's screen time is not just enjoyable but also educational and enriching.

4. Leading by Example:

-Kids often take cues from their parents, so let's set a great example. It starts with us – set boundaries for our own screen time and demonstrate balanced usage. Consider dedicating specific family screen time, like movie nights, to bond and share screen experiences. When we lead by example, we create a tech-savvy household where responsible screen time habits are the norm. This approach helps our child develop a healthy relationship with screens while enjoying the benefits of the digital world.

- Avoid Using Screen Time as an Incentive: One important aspect of leading by example is to avoid using screen time as an incentive when we need to get work done or when our child needs to complete tasks. Using screens as a reward for compliance can send mixed messages about screen time limits.

5. Transforming Screen Time Habits:

Transform bedrooms into "no screen zones" to significantly reduce screen time. Studies reveal that kids with TVs in their rooms watch 1.5 hours more TV daily. Encourage healthy sleep routines and strengthen family bonds by relocating screens like televisions, computers, and tablets to shared family spaces. Designate screen-free days and set aside time for physical activities, reading, and family time. Mealtime becomes an opportunity for meaningful conversations when electronic devices are turned off. 

Feel free to add or subtract to this guideline to align with your individual thoughts and goals in relation to your child’s screen time….Just know that you are doing the best you can.

One of the most frustrating things about parenthood is when your child misbehaves and there is no way for you to understand how to get them to stop. Children are not able to communicate their emotions verbally. Hence, they often resort to misbehavior in order to display their thoughts, feelings and emotions. In order to get them to stop, parents normally tend to focus on discipling their child to shut down any misbehavior at that given moment. On the contrary, experts suggest that finding out the underlying cause of their misbehavior and addressing it would truly help your child. Providing them with an outlet to freely express their emotions completely eliminates the urge to misbehave.

Understanding The Why Behind The What: Misbehavior is a result of certain factors that causes children to lash out in a negative way. Some of these factors are:

1. Lack of Attention – When kids notice their parents giving them slightly less attention than they are used to, they misbehave. This could be the case if a parent is caught up with house chores, is on a phone call, is driving or grocery shopping. Any kind of attention, even negative, from parents is favorable to kids.
2. Developing negative emotions – Parents need to be mindful that children, especially above the ages of 5, are very keen on receiving outwardly affection from their parents. For them, being loved is not enough, they prefer it to be expressed. The absence of which, could cause them to develop negative emotions and negatively react.
3. Lack of Acknowledgement – When a child discovers a new thought or an idea, they seek for the approval of their parents. They are also eager to give their input in discussions to indicate their learnings. Unintentionally, parents may reject these inputs or not even acknowledge them. As a result, a feeling of rejection arises and causes children to misbehave. This is how children feel independent.
4. Unfulfilled Needs: At a growing stage, children have requirements such as eating on time and getting good sleep. If they start to feel tired, unwell or hungry, they misbehave.
5. Following Examples Set: This is a two-part problem. First, children are quick to learn. They are quick to act out whatever they learn from others. This could also be learned from TV Series, Youtube videos, movies, etc. Second, upon acting out, if parents give in to the child’s misbehavior and understand that it is an effective means of getting what they want, they would regularly do it.

Preventing misbehavior is easier than to deal with it. Incorporating ways of positive behavior, addressing their feelings, acknowledging their growth, attending to their needs and setting a good role model example would lead your child to healthily express themselves. Similarly, parents need to rethink the rules set and evaluate if they are reasonable for a child. These rules need to be clear and enforced frequently. In some cases, the rules can be flexible, depending on your child’s needs. Provide your child with choices to allow them to step into the role of a decision-maker. This way they would feel like they are in control.

Children only remain children for a few years. It is important for parents to allow them to act like children. Spend time with your child to enable a healthy outlet of expression. Try implementing the tips provided in this blog. One step at a time. Allow this new tip/technique to settle in and become a habit. Be patient and watch how everything falls into place.

As parents, it is quite important to explore new and efficient learning techniques to help your little one with their personal development and will let them grow into capable (and cute) little human beings. National Institute of Health suggests that the things children learn during their early years have a lasting-effect on their intelligence, success and health. The different learning techniques and styles exposed to children determine whether they will fall in love with learning or dread it. This makes it very important to choose the right form of learning to help your child to master the art of learning.

But the question is, how do we get our kids to spend their time learning instead of playing? What if we told you that children can learn and play at the same time! Word on the street is that every cool mom is talking about sensory learning. So, what exactly is this trending topic ‘Sensory Learning’?

Sensory Learning is a learning technique, wherein, children engage all six of their senses and become aware of their surroundings. Engaging their senses - such as sight, smell, taste, feel, hear and kinesthesia – in a playful manner contributes to the development of their brain. It also encourages the way they interpret and comprehend things. It not only helps children become aware of their surroundings, it drives them to improve their scientific thinking, problem-solving skills, deal with challenges and enhance their memory. The building of nerve connections evokes curiosity in children. They get into a space of exploration and start to step into the role of being a creator.

When would be the right time to introduce sensory learning to your kids? The answer might shock you. Children have been indulging in sensory learning since the womb. Children play sensorial every single day. From learning to eat for the very first time to touching and feeling objects with their tiny fingers. The best time to expose your child to safe-sensory activities would be the first two years of their lives. This allows children to develop early.

Passing on some tips over to you: Create a sensory bin which includes elements from nature such as sand, colored rice to mimic grass, water, leaves, and rocks. The main idea is to keep it simple while also helping your child stay focused and calm through controllable tools. You may also consider giving them sensory toys like chewable straws to help them with their oral progress. An alternate solution could be through a few activities. This may include planting, taste testing, playing with musical instruments, using play-safe paint, mushing food, or even creating jumping games.

Other easy and fun DIY ideas: Consider adding cotton balls or sponges to the tub filled with water when it’s your child’s bath time. This is simple, inexpensive and quite entertaining for little minds. They are likely to be intrigued by the way these objects absorb water and release water once squeezed. Another fun idea could be ice-painting. Fill your ice-tray with tap water and mix it with liquid water color, and let it freeze for a few hours. Once frozen, take the tray outside and place it on a big white paper sheet. The heat outdoor would allow the ice to melt into beautiful colors as your child plays with it. There are a number of sensory activities you can introduce to your child with the items available in your house.

For children, this world is too big. It takes them quite some time to gain awareness of their own bodies and surrounding. Promoting a fun and insightful learning technique can make them feel like the world is in the palm of their hands. Allowing them to be a Creator boosts their confidence and encourages brain development. Sensory learning might just be the best way for parents to create little creators.

Being a mom is a full-time job. It comes with no breaks, holidays, or vacations. At times, this transition of shifting your attention, from yourself onto your little one, can start to get overwhelming. The primary reason stopping moms from prioritizing themselves is not being able to find time. Did you know? The moms who do manage to find time do not indulge in self-care because of… wait for it… Mom Guilt!

Many moms confuse the idea of self-care with the concept of basic hygiene. But self-care is so much more than that. Self-care is a ritual of taking care of oneself – mentally and physically. Self-care is the ultimate guide to better parenting. When a mom improves her mental and physical well-being, she is able to take care of her child better. The first step is making peace with the concept and realizing that “self-care is not selfish”. It has been proven that parents who look after themselves are able to have more positive interactions with their younger ones.

So, if self-care is not simply ‘taking a quick shower’, what is it? Simple. We’ll tell you what exactly you can do to spoil yourself (because you deserve nothing less!).

1. Setting a Routine to Pamper Yourself – Apart from taking the time out from your daily responsibilities to unwind, try picking out any day of the week to pamper yourself. Get a manicure, draw yourself a nice relaxing bubbly bath, meditate, put on a face mask to take and order in a fancy meal. It can be anything that your heart desires. Make it a habit to spoil yourself and watch how your confidence builds and helps you fulfill your roles better. We recommend you choose ‘Self-Care Saturdays’ as the perfect day for you to completely unwind and pamper yourself. ;)
2. Disconnect from Certain Roles – Ever thought of doing a social media detox? This might just be the perfect time for you to do so. Social media creates a state of engaging in exhaustive untracked entertainment which could feel draining for many. Here’s a fact: social media feeds your mom-guilt. It creates a state of constant comparison and sets a standard of how an ‘ideal’ mom should look and behave. Having a social media presence is not necessarily bad; spending way too much time on it can have a negative effect, however. For working moms, disconnect from your work once you leave the office. By performing your role exactly when needed, you can fulfill your duties and responsibilities flawlessly.
3. Connect with your Inner Child – Having a child should not stop you from doing things you love. Pick up hobbies you loved as a kid. Do things you always wished to do. Whether it’s painting, dancing, reading, singing or even gardening. If it makes you happy, do it. Be kind to yourself.
4. Sleep. Sleep. – Need we say more? We know parenting can get overwhelming. We also know that with children comes sleep deprivation. But it is important to note that sacrificing your sleep can have an adverse effect on your parenting. Sleep deprivation makes positive parenting harder. Your child needs you in the best frame of mind. It is vital to get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep every night. Remember, the best way you can take care of your child, is by taking care of yourself.

Children are merely a reflection of their parents. It is so very important for mothers to start prioritizing themselves to be able to nurture their little ones in the best way possible. When you shift your perspective from tirelessly performing and overachieving to something that nourishes your mind, body and soul, you will come to realize that motherhood, despite its chaos, can be a precious and an enjoyably fulfilling journey.