Why I Don’t Let My Kids Use Tablets During the School Week
In a world where screens are everywhere—classrooms, restaurants, even the backseat of the car—it can feel almost impossible to set limits on technology. Tablets are convenient. They’re quiet. They give us a break when we need it most.
But in our house, tablets during the school week are a no.
And it’s not because I’m anti-technology. It’s because I’ve seen what happens when we don’t create boundaries around it.
1. School Already Demands So Much Mental Energy
By the time my kids get home from school, their brains are done.
They’ve spent hours:
- Listening
- Focusing
- Following directions
- Socializing
- Managing emotions
Adding more screen time on top of that doesn’t help them unwind—it overstimulates them.
What they actually need is a reset.
They need:
- Fresh air
- Movement
- Quiet moments
- Real conversations
Not more noise coming from a screen.
2. Behavior Changes (And Not in a Good Way)
I’ve noticed a very real difference in my kids depending on how much screen time they’ve had.
More tablet time =
- Shorter tempers
- Less patience
- More whining
- Harder transitions
Less tablet time =
- Better moods
- More creativity
- Easier evenings
It’s not a coincidence.
When tablets are taken off the table during the week, our home feels calmer. And honestly? So do I.
3. Evenings Are for Connection
School days go by fast. Between work, homework, sports, and everything else—we don’t get a ton of uninterrupted time together.
I don’t want to spend that time competing with a screen.
I want:
- Dinner conversations
- Laughing about the random things that happened that day
- Hearing the stories they almost forgot to tell
- Being present with each other
Tablets steal those moments if we let them.
And those are moments I’m not willing to lose.
4. Boredom Is Actually a Good Thing
We’ve been conditioned to think boredom is something we need to fix.
It’s not.
Boredom is where creativity lives.
When my kids say, “I’m bored,” instead of handing them a tablet, I let them sit in it for a minute.
And almost every time, something happens:
- They build something
- They draw
- They go outside
- They create games
- They use their imagination
Things a tablet will never teach them.
5. Sleep Matters More Than Screens
Screen time—especially in the evening—affects sleep more than we realize.
When tablets aren’t part of our nightly routine:
- Bedtime is easier
- They fall asleep faster
- They sleep better
And better sleep = better mornings.
And we all know how important that is on a school day.
6. It Teaches Boundaries (For All of Us)
This isn’t just about the kids.
It’s about what we’re teaching them.
We’re teaching that:
- Not everything needs to be available all the time
- It’s okay to unplug
- Real life comes before digital life
And truthfully? It keeps me more accountable too.
Because it’s hard to tell your kids to get off screens… while you’re glued to yours.
What We Do Instead
That doesn’t mean our evenings are perfect. Not even close.
But instead of tablets, we lean into:
- Playing outside
- Board games
- Homework time (with breaks)
- Helping with dinner
- Reading
- Talking (a lot of talking)
And yes… sometimes they still say they’re bored.
And that’s okay.
This isn’t about being the “perfect” parent or judging anyone else’s choices.
Every family is different.
But for us, removing tablets during the school week has created:
- More peace
- Better behavior
- Stronger connection
And at the end of the day, that’s what I want most.
Not quieter kids.
But more present ones.
If you’ve been feeling like screens are taking over your evenings, try a small shift.
Start with one or two nights a week—no tablets.
See what changes.
You might be surprised by what you get back. 💛
