Thriving with Technology Podcast: Kids Addicted to Screen Time? A Guide to Screen-Free Summers with a Mom of 5

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As the summer months approach, parents face the challenge of keeping their children entertained and engaged without relying on screens. For many families, screens have become a default option for keeping kids occupied, but the negative effects of excessive screen time on children's physical, mental, and emotional health are well documented. In this episode, we'll explore how one family has successfully implemented a screen-free summer and offer practical tips for parents who want to do the same.

Jennifer Sitterud, a mother of five, blogger, and influencer, shares her experience on how she manages to keep her children engaged and occupied without screens and how it has helped her children bond and get along better with each other. She offers valuable insights into the benefits of limiting screen time for children's brain development and social skills.

Her tips for parents who want to have a screen-free summer with their children, including being intentional with time and activities, managing the transition back to screens, and encouraging problem-solving and communication skills, are practical and helpful. Jen's free resources on her blog and her willingness to offer support and advice to parents make her a valuable resource for families looking to reduce screen time and increase family bonding.

Timestamps

00:02:50 Jen's family and decision to go screen-free during her pregnancy
00:04:30 Adjustment to screen-free summers each year
00:06:40 Preparing for a screen-free summer and being more present
00:09:50 Importance, benefits, and effects of screen-free summers
00:12:35 Importance of limiting screen time for teenagers and the impact on mental health
00:17:10 Jennifer's rules for her son's phone use
00:18:15 Activities to do during a screen-free summer
00:21:50 Difficulty adjusting to screen-free summers and benefits of establishing a routine
00:25:45 Empowerment during screen-free summers and impact on kids' brain development
00:27:05 Positive feedback from parents who tried it and dealing with criticism from other parents
00:30:30 Dealing with tricky situations when kids don't have phones like getting a hold of kids 
00:34:15 Managing social media and guiding kids on social comparison
00:37:15 Consideration of health effects of electromagnetic fields and blue light and impact on sleep patterns

Links Mentioned 

Blog: https://tutusandjerseys.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tutusandjerseys/

Memorable Quotes

"I tell my kids all the time, that's how I grew up! We grew up outside exploring, creating, and I have some wonderful childhood memories." [00:04:14] - Jennifer Sitterud
"Get through that first week. Everyone gets a little more cranky and you're breaking these habits, but you get to that first week and you start that next week. It feels so good by the second, third weekend - I get outta the habit of checking my phone. I don't feel the need to check my phone and I'm just