raising off screen

I became a mom in 2016 when my sweet Micah entered the world. From early on, I noticed something special about him—his sense of adventure, sharp memory, and love for exploring everything around him. He picked up on things so quickly, always eager to learn. And because of that, I was intentional about how he spent his time.

Instead of TV, we filled our days with music, cooking, games, and travel. He was a sponge, soaking up every experience and holding onto it. But more than anything, Micah was kind. He was the kid that neighbors would stop me to compliment—so respectful, so loving, especially to his brothers.

Then life happened.

More babies came, work got busier, and before I knew it, screens crept into our home. First, it was the Amazon tablets—then a PS5, a Nintendo Switch. Ask me why? I don’t even know. I thought I was being a loving parent, giving them fun things to enjoy. But deep down, I hated it from the start.

And then, I started noticing things.

Micah, my curious, loving boy, started learning and repeating things I didn’t love. Not only that, but he was passing them down to his little brothers. The toys I bought to “distract” them from screens? They played with them for two days, maybe three, before they were forgotten. Screens were winning.

I felt like they were raising my kids instead of me.

The Wake-Up Call

I love listening to podcasts, and over time, I heard more and more parents talking about their kids being addicted to screens. I also started learning about what screens actually do to kids’ brains:

• Shorter attention spans
• Increased irritability and aggression
• Less creativity and independent thinking
• Difficulty listening and following instructions

It all started making sense.

So I began cutting back. First, no more YouTube. Then, tablets and the PS5 were only allowed from Friday to Sunday. And that’s when I really started noticing something.

During the week, my kids were…normal.

Masai (3) acted just like a little boy should—curious, playful, testing boundaries, small tantrums but still loving. Mikaël (5) was fighting a lot in his sleep, seemed to have little sleeping traumas. And Micah (8)? On weekends, he was different. Less patient, more argumentative, more defiant. He teased his brothers more, talked back, got angry faster, and had this new “too cool for school” attitude.

That’s when I knew. Screens were changing my sweet boys.

I prayed over this. A lot.

And I realized that, without meaning to, I had helped my kids make an idol out of screens. I had let them take over our home. And I was done.

So now, I’m on a new journey—one where screens no longer rule my home. Will they be gone completely? Honestly, in this digital world, probably not. But they will not be our Lord.

Exodus 20:4 says:
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”

This is my journey, and I’m journaling it here. I’ll be sharing what I learn, the struggles, the victories, and the research behind it all. If this resonates with you, come along. Let’s raise our kids off screen, full of kindness, curiosity, and love for God.

💕 Welcome to Raising Off Screen!