We all hear and read about how we should limit our children’s screen time. Experts are constantly telling us about daily limits, setting up rules about electronics use, and the potentially negative consequences of screen time on our children’s health. 

The good news is that the research about positive and negative effects are not cut-and-dried. Even so, the issue creates guilt and stress for the typically busy parent. It is especially frustrating when experts don’t make recommendations on how to make non-screen time more attractive.

As a parent and teacher, I know that the thing that children want more than video games and cartoons is your personal one-on-one undistracted attention. When you’re a busy parent, this is hard. But when you are spending time with your child, put away the phone and really play with them. Don’t be afraid to look silly. If you try to remember what it was like to be a kid, and really play on their level, you too might get into the “flow” and have almost as much fun as they are.

To discover more alternatives, I recommend this Cleveland Clinic article.