We know that strong families help end child abuse, but a study in 2022, also found that children with strong family connections are associated with a high likelihood of flourishing in life.   

“What was different about this study was it showed that family connection is associated with thriving and not just surviving or avoiding harm,” said lead study author Dr. Robert Whitaker, director of the Columbia-Bassett research program at Columbia University in New York City.  

When summer begins, you may schedule activities, camps and vacations throughout the weeks ahead, hoping to provide structure for your kids. The goal may be to minimize fighting, eliminate boredom, provide free childcare, or simply create a routine.  

Whatever the reason, it can be tempting to give in to more screen time than normally allotted. Providing activities at home doesn’t just mean you have to be creative and prepared; it also means you must endure the endless “I’m bored” statement.  

It can take a child several minutes to push through their boredom and tap into their creativity. But as parents, it may take only seconds before you've been incessantly told how bored they are and in need of a moment of peace, you give in and grab the screen.  

But if you can come up with strategies for sticking to your boundaries and providing tools for their boredom, you can eventually reduce the whining and have a better summer.   

Many parents recognize the need to limit screen time, but they often lack a clear understanding of why or how to do so. And for parents of anxious children or children who are neurodivergent, limited screen time can be crucial.   

Extended screen time and regular exposure to poor-quality programming has been linked to:  

• Obesity  

• Insufficient sleep  

• Behavior problems  

• Delays in language and social skills development  

• Violence  

• Attention problems  

These socioemotional problems included anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and aggression. The association was small but significant, especially for girls.  

Other dangers of screens can lead to online grooming, even for elementary-aged kids. It’s essential that parents not only limit screen time, but also be aware of the shows, games and apps their children are watching. To learn more about parental support for online download our SIS: Safe Internet Search guide.  

If you’ve noticed a change in your child’s behavior or sleep patterns, it can be worth reducing their screen time. But sometimes cutting back means enduring temper tantrums and training your child to entertain themselves in other ways.   

The key to limited screen time is establishing boundaries and clearly communicating those to your children. Depending on the age and child, it may be necessary to repeat those boundaries through different means — verbally, written, visually, etc. And have them repeat those boundaries back to you.  

It can also be time-consuming to research strategies, activities, make charts, and buy sensory toys, so we’ve provided a few easy-to-use tools to help. Below you will find downloadable charts for tracking chores, rules to print out for the family, reward charts and tips for making sure your devices are set up with parental controls.   

One of the most important things to remember is that with change will come a period of adjustment. Remind yourself that kids will naturally push back against boundaries, but eventually they will grow accustomed to the new normal you have established. Kids crave boundaries, and over time (sometimes even just a few days), kids will understand the rules and push back less and less. Their attitudes will improve, your home will feel more peaceful, and your family will be stronger. 

Tip: Begin talking to your kids a couple of weeks in advance about the new rules. Let them know you’ve been researching ways to help their brains develop, and you are going to start limiting screen time. Give them a marker, like after camp or vacation. This will help them know what’s coming and give them the chance to adjust (or pout) before the rules set in.  

If you are looking for more one-on-one help with strengthening your family, Buckner offers free family coaching, counseling, mentoring, finance and parenting classes and more at our Buckner Family Hope Center®. Visit https://pages.buckner.org/help-for-families to find one near you and get started today.  

Written by Jessica Gardner, director of program marketing, Buckner International

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