Help! How do you managed kids phone use during the holidays?

With Thanksgiving this weekend and Christmas around the corner, I'm finding myself a bit concerned about how to handle my childs phone usage. With all the excitement and downtime, I want to make sure they enjoy the holidays without getting too absorbed in their screens.

❓How can I set healthy boundaries for phone use during family gatherings and holiday activities?

❓How do I encourage them to be present and participate in family traditions without feeling like I'm taking away their phones?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, tips, and any strategies that have worked for you. Thanks in advance for your help!

Happy holidays!

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Comments

rebeccajones11

I have been thinking about the same thing. I want to make sure that my kiddo gets plenty of good family time when grandparents come in from out of town for Christmas. I was thinking of setting up designated time for using his phone and then times where no phone is allowed. I think that will help set clear boundaries and will help me make sure he is present during more structured moments like dinner, opening gifts. etc. and help him understand this in advance.

I also think I'll set up some Christmas activities to do to give him something else to do when he isn't allowed to use his phone. He is definitely on the phone more when he's bored so having something to do will hopefully distract him and help him have fun without his phone. Later in the holiday cousins are coming to town and he will probably have an easier time being off his phone.

There is one wrinkle in this… my dad is on his phone more than my son! 😬 So I'll have to enforce the phone rules for him too. He isn't a good example about phone use lol so I'll have to monitor two "kids" 😅

arob

This totally resonates with me. I’ve actually been reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, and something he shared really stuck with me. In a 2014 survey, 62% of kids said their parents were “often distracted” when they tried to talk to them and phones were the top reason. 😬

I read that and just yesterday had a moment where my daughter was literally repeating herself four times to get my attention. So close to home. I’m going to try and “model the way,” especially during the holidays. My plan is to put my own phone away during the big family moments so I’m fully present too.

My wife and I have also been talking about starting a few new holiday traditions. One idea we love is a small “phone fast” during key family times (Christmas Eve dinner, opening gifts, etc.). Not as a punishment, just as a fun tradition so everyone, adults included, gets a break from screens.

Totally agree that giving kids something engaging to do during no-phone time makes a huge difference too. Love the idea of prepping activities ahead of time.

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