Parenting & Family Life

Two Moms, Two Experiments In Less Screen Time

a school gathering to watch screenagers
July 27, 2021
min read
Delaney Ruston, MD
a school gathering to watch screenagers

In Summary

Girl and mom reading

A few weeks ago, a longtime neighbor, Jamie, who has become a dear friend, shared with me about her screen-free family Sundays with her twin nine-year-olds, 14-year-old and 16-year-old:


“About a year ago, we decided to start screen-free Sundays with the hope of unplugging and getting some family time. … because I felt decision fatigue. [The kids would say]... can I watch this? Or what about that? Or I've done my two hours, but it's not over? Or can I do one more? It just felt like I needed one day where I can just say no, we're not doing this. And you'll have to figure something else out. And I think as a mom, I like some sense of rhythm. “


Jamie explained there are some screen-time exceptions, but it is pretty darn screen-free for the most part. When Jamie started Screen-Free Sundays, they planned to just try it out for a month so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the experiment. 

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So how has it gone? I ask her this in this week’s podcast.

I also talk with a mom in Alaska who prioritizes reading in her family in all sorts of ways including keeping screens at bay when they read.  Hear from her and her kids about the ways they have stronger family togetherness through reading and how screens are put away during such times. 

host a screening

Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!

Podcast

Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast

Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!

Screenagers elementary edition

Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids

Podcast

Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast

To listen to the podcast, go here — it is only 15 minutes. 

Here are some questions to help spark the podcast — listening conversation. (If you put the podcast on 1.5 speed, it’s only 10 minutes;)

  1. After listening to the podcast together, ask the family if there is a screen-free time in the week that would work for everyone. 
  2. Do they think within that screen-free time would they like to have some exceptions? If so, what are the exceptions?
  3. What does everyone in the family think are the pros of having a designated time off screens? What are the cons?

As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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Parenting & Family Life

Two Moms, Two Experiments In Less Screen Time

Delaney Ruston, MD
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Lisa Tabb
July 27, 2021

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Girl and mom reading

A few weeks ago, a longtime neighbor, Jamie, who has become a dear friend, shared with me about her screen-free family Sundays with her twin nine-year-olds, 14-year-old and 16-year-old:


“About a year ago, we decided to start screen-free Sundays with the hope of unplugging and getting some family time. … because I felt decision fatigue. [The kids would say]... can I watch this? Or what about that? Or I've done my two hours, but it's not over? Or can I do one more? It just felt like I needed one day where I can just say no, we're not doing this. And you'll have to figure something else out. And I think as a mom, I like some sense of rhythm. “


Jamie explained there are some screen-time exceptions, but it is pretty darn screen-free for the most part. When Jamie started Screen-Free Sundays, they planned to just try it out for a month so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the experiment. 

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So how has it gone? I ask her this in this week’s podcast.

I also talk with a mom in Alaska who prioritizes reading in her family in all sorts of ways including keeping screens at bay when they read.  Hear from her and her kids about the ways they have stronger family togetherness through reading and how screens are put away during such times. 

Host a Screening Button

Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
Find A screening Button

Find a Screening - Find a screening of our movies in your local community

Learn More
Smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a dark teal sweater, next to text: The Screenagers Podcast with Delaney Ruston, MD.

Screenagers Podcast - Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for the latest Podcast

Learn More
Book page button

Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

Learn More
Host a Screening Button

Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
Parenting In The Screen Age Book Cover

Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

Learn More
The Screenagers Project title in bold white text on a dark blue background with teal underline and partially visible screenshots of a website behind.

Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

Learn More
Screenagers Under The Influence Banner

Our New Movie - Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

Learn More
YouTube play button icon next to the text 'SCREENAGERS YOUTUBE' on a dark blue background with images of web pages around the edges.

The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

Learn More

To listen to the podcast, go here — it is only 15 minutes. 

Here are some questions to help spark the podcast — listening conversation. (If you put the podcast on 1.5 speed, it’s only 10 minutes;)

  1. After listening to the podcast together, ask the family if there is a screen-free time in the week that would work for everyone. 
  2. Do they think within that screen-free time would they like to have some exceptions? If so, what are the exceptions?
  3. What does everyone in the family think are the pros of having a designated time off screens? What are the cons?

As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

We respect your privacy.

Book page button

Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

Order Here
Find A screening Button

Find a Screening - Find a screening of our movies in your local community

Learn More
Smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a dark teal sweater, next to text: The Screenagers Podcast with Delaney Ruston, MD.

Screenagers Podcast - Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for the latest Podcast

Learn More
Book page button

Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

Learn More
Host a Screening Button

Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
Parenting In The Screen Age Book Cover

Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

Learn More
The Screenagers Project title in bold white text on a dark blue background with teal underline and partially visible screenshots of a website behind.

Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

Learn More
Screenagers Under The Influence Banner

Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers movie series

Learn More
YouTube play button icon next to the text 'SCREENAGERS YOUTUBE' on a dark blue background with images of web pages around the edges.

The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

Learn More
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Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition - Learn more about our latest movie.

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Learn more about the Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!

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Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

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Find a Screening - Find a screening of our movies in your local community

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Smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a dark teal sweater, next to text: The Screenagers Podcast with Delaney Ruston, MD.

Screenagers Podcast - Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for the latest Podcast

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Available now - Parenting in the Screen Age, from Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD

Learn More
Host a Screening Button

Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

Learn More
Parenting In The Screen Age Book Cover

Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

Learn More
The Screenagers Project title in bold white text on a dark blue background with teal underline and partially visible screenshots of a website behind.

Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

Learn More
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Screenagers Under The Influence - Learn more about this movie and watch the trailer.

Learn More
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The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

Learn More
Six children standing outdoors using tablets and smartphones, with text overlay 'SCREEN AGERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE EDITION'.

Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition - Learn more about our latest movie.

Learn More
Child sleeping peacefully in bed under a gray blanket with text saying 'Screen-Free Sleep' and cartoon purple Z's.

Learn more about the Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!

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Parenting & Family Life

Two Moms, Two Experiments In Less Screen Time

Delaney Ruston, MD
July 27, 2021
Girl and mom reading

A few weeks ago, a longtime neighbor, Jamie, who has become a dear friend, shared with me about her screen-free family Sundays with her twin nine-year-olds, 14-year-old and 16-year-old:


“About a year ago, we decided to start screen-free Sundays with the hope of unplugging and getting some family time. … because I felt decision fatigue. [The kids would say]... can I watch this? Or what about that? Or I've done my two hours, but it's not over? Or can I do one more? It just felt like I needed one day where I can just say no, we're not doing this. And you'll have to figure something else out. And I think as a mom, I like some sense of rhythm. “


Jamie explained there are some screen-time exceptions, but it is pretty darn screen-free for the most part. When Jamie started Screen-Free Sundays, they planned to just try it out for a month so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the experiment. 

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parenting in the screen age

for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.  

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