The Screen Time Battle (For Parents AND Kids)

We worry about our children's screen time, but research shows parental phone use is equally concerning. A 2018 study published in Child Development found that parental 'technoference'—interruptions to family time caused by devices—was linked to increased behavioural problems in children.

The brutal truth? Our children are learning about presence and distraction by watching us. When we're 'there but not there'—physically present but mentally scrolling—we're teaching them that divided attention is normal.

The Work-Life Blur
Working from home was supposed to give us more time with our kids. Instead, many parents report feeling more fractured than ever—trying to be in work mode and parent mode simultaneously, and doing neither well.

The Guilt Monster
Maggie Dent addresses this head-on: "Parental guilt is like a rocking chair—it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." The research supports this. Guilt doesn't improve our parenting—presence does.

The 'Enough' Question
Am I doing enough? Am I giving them enough? Will they remember that I worked late, or will they remember the Sunday morning pancake tradition?

Dr. Coulson's research offers comfort: children's memories are made of moments, not hours. They remember how you made them feel, not how much time you logged.

There's a reason Bluey resonates with millions of families worldwide. The show's creator, Joe Brumm, has captured something essential about quality time: it's found in the everyday, not just the extraordinary.

Watch any episode and you'll notice: Bandit and Chilli don't take their kids to expensive theme parks or plan elaborate activities (though they do those things sometimes). More often, they're playing in the backyard, turning housework into games, or transforming a trip to the park into an adventure.

This mirrors what Lenore Skenazy, founder of the Free-Range Kids movement and author of Free-Range Kids: How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow, advocates: "Childhood doesn't need to be one big lesson plan or resume builder. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are the ones we don't plan."

Key episodes that model quality time:

• "Magic Xylophone" – Bandit plays along even when he's tired, showing that participation matters more than enthusiasm
• "Sleepytime" – The comfort of parental presence, even in the middle of the night
• "Daddy Dropoff" – Bandit's guilt about leaving for work, and the reassurance that kids understand
• "Sticky Gecko" – Even shopping can become quality time with the right attitude.