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To let Dc go on screens all day

74 replies

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:17

I'm having guilt about it, but is it that bad?

Just had a week of half term, been out every day-dog walks, cafes, shopping, play dates at our home, played with neighbour friends, full day at a zoo type place, crafts, baking etc

It's cold and stormy today, fire on, Dh and Ddog snoozing and I just want to go on my phone or watch tv
Dd has been on the desktop computer playing a game where she builds houses since this morning. I feel guilt about it, but should I? everyone is happy and relaxed, she's back at school tomorrow and did all her homework days ago.

OP posts:
ProtestantTraybakeQueen · 08/11/2026 13:21

Of course it’s fine! Thats how I spent my childhood 😆 everyone needs slobby day every now and then.
It’s not a problem unless it’s a problem - busy week, homework done, happy kid. Seems fine to me!

Slawbans · 08/11/2026 13:21

why shouldn’t she do exactly what she wants now and again ?

Passaggressfedup · 08/11/2026 13:28

It's absolutely fine for on day but it sounds your kids never just play alone or together?

Comedycook · 08/11/2026 13:30

How old? You can have a lazy chill day without resorting to screens for the entire day...how else did previous generations amuse themselves

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:31

ProtestantTraybakeQueen · 08/11/2026 13:21

Of course it’s fine! Thats how I spent my childhood 😆 everyone needs slobby day every now and then.
It’s not a problem unless it’s a problem - busy week, homework done, happy kid. Seems fine to me!

But all day 😬 I wouldn't mind the tv, but on the computer all day just makes me feel guilty for some reason

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Everlygreen · 08/11/2026 13:31

We have those days often. The kids are at school , long days for everyone and we sometimes just enjoy doing nothing. Really can’t stand the thought of being scheduled for every second. My kids are thriving, doing very well at school and happy.
If left to screens they actively put it off after a while and go find something to do. Even my 4yo!

WhatNoRaisins · 08/11/2026 13:31

The odd day won't do any harm

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:31

Slawbans · 08/11/2026 13:21

why shouldn’t she do exactly what she wants now and again ?

Yes you're probably right

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Notmycircusnotmyotter · 08/11/2026 13:32

I wouldn't be happy with this. You can have a lazy day where you all read or they play with toys rather than screens.

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:32

Passaggressfedup · 08/11/2026 13:28

It's absolutely fine for on day but it sounds your kids never just play alone or together?

Only one child, she has played alone this week a bit, but is very sociable so prefers to play with friends or us...and we're tired out!

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Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:34

Comedycook · 08/11/2026 13:30

How old? You can have a lazy chill day without resorting to screens for the entire day...how else did previous generations amuse themselves

8..I know, this is where the guilt comes in. But then I think, she does and has done this for the other days? Back to school tomorrow and the rules will return (computer one hr only at weekends)

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Cuttertheduck · 08/11/2026 13:35

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:31

But all day 😬 I wouldn't mind the tv, but on the computer all day just makes me feel guilty for some reason

Just out of interest:
Do you game? It's probably easier for a gamer to understand how you can play all day. What your daughter is doing also sounds more creative than watching TV mindlessly all day.

Your daughter seems to have plenty of outdoor time and plenty of interaction with friends so I wouldn't worry.

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:35

Everlygreen · 08/11/2026 13:31

We have those days often. The kids are at school , long days for everyone and we sometimes just enjoy doing nothing. Really can’t stand the thought of being scheduled for every second. My kids are thriving, doing very well at school and happy.
If left to screens they actively put it off after a while and go find something to do. Even my 4yo!

Yes i'm hoping she'll just naturally get bored of it in a bit

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Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:37

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 08/11/2026 13:32

I wouldn't be happy with this. You can have a lazy day where you all read or they play with toys rather than screens.

Yes that's the norm tbh, but she always wants to play with us or her friends-who are all just home having a lazy day too. I'm tired today 😫

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sofaguarantee · 08/11/2026 13:37

All performative rubbish. Just be pleased you have healthy children whose activities you can direct and who are able to do a range of different things. This is the absolute mildest most show-offy end of "oh noes Tabouleh and Oestrogen are on SCREENS" that I can think of. It's a house building game ffs not being groomed on late night Roblox into a satanic cult.

Pansykavalier · 08/11/2026 13:38

Relaxing the rules is perfectly fine, but all day on screens is taking it too far.

Alternatives include messing with paints or clay, collages, making plaster of Paris casts or Christmas tree decorations, etc.

Also card or board games, puzzles, various trivia games, Scrabble……..

Or watching a really good movie - or even just IJ and the Temple of Doom or Toy Story 113 or Jurassic Park.

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:39

Cuttertheduck · 08/11/2026 13:35

Just out of interest:
Do you game? It's probably easier for a gamer to understand how you can play all day. What your daughter is doing also sounds more creative than watching TV mindlessly all day.

Your daughter seems to have plenty of outdoor time and plenty of interaction with friends so I wouldn't worry.

We don't game, no. Dh sat doing it with her earlier though for a while, which I prefer also as they were building things together

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Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:40

sofaguarantee · 08/11/2026 13:37

All performative rubbish. Just be pleased you have healthy children whose activities you can direct and who are able to do a range of different things. This is the absolute mildest most show-offy end of "oh noes Tabouleh and Oestrogen are on SCREENS" that I can think of. It's a house building game ffs not being groomed on late night Roblox into a satanic cult.

Eh???

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Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:41

Pansykavalier · 08/11/2026 13:38

Relaxing the rules is perfectly fine, but all day on screens is taking it too far.

Alternatives include messing with paints or clay, collages, making plaster of Paris casts or Christmas tree decorations, etc.

Also card or board games, puzzles, various trivia games, Scrabble……..

Or watching a really good movie - or even just IJ and the Temple of Doom or Toy Story 113 or Jurassic Park.

Yep this is my feeling too. I'm just being lazy as Dh asleep and I've been doing crafts and games all week, which was fun but i'm done in with it!

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sofaguarantee · 08/11/2026 13:43

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:40

Eh???

Did you not understand what I wrote? Strange.

You are living in a very privileged situation if this is genuinely causing you worry, and so I have inferred that it isn't really worrying you and you are just showing off.

Cuttertheduck · 08/11/2026 13:43

Pansykavalier · 08/11/2026 13:38

Relaxing the rules is perfectly fine, but all day on screens is taking it too far.

Alternatives include messing with paints or clay, collages, making plaster of Paris casts or Christmas tree decorations, etc.

Also card or board games, puzzles, various trivia games, Scrabble……..

Or watching a really good movie - or even just IJ and the Temple of Doom or Toy Story 113 or Jurassic Park.

Why is building Lego houses that much better than building houses in Minecraft?
And what is better about just consuming a movie vs. actually creating something?

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:46

sofaguarantee · 08/11/2026 13:43

Did you not understand what I wrote? Strange.

You are living in a very privileged situation if this is genuinely causing you worry, and so I have inferred that it isn't really worrying you and you are just showing off.

Why am I in a very privileged situation, you don't know my situation? And yes it does worry me and make me feel shit if she's on it all day, make of that what you will!

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CordwainerBird · 08/11/2026 13:47

Everlygreen · 08/11/2026 13:31

We have those days often. The kids are at school , long days for everyone and we sometimes just enjoy doing nothing. Really can’t stand the thought of being scheduled for every second. My kids are thriving, doing very well at school and happy.
If left to screens they actively put it off after a while and go find something to do. Even my 4yo!

Same here. Nothing wrong with a screens day occasionally, especially if crap weather outside. During storm Boelo a couple of weeks ago we watched at least three of the Hotel Transylvania films and DS was on Minecraft for several hours.

Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:48

sofaguarantee · 08/11/2026 13:43

Did you not understand what I wrote? Strange.

You are living in a very privileged situation if this is genuinely causing you worry, and so I have inferred that it isn't really worrying you and you are just showing off.

And what on earth is there to show off about? go me I'm letting my child play video games all day instead of interacting with her and doing the other things that I guiltily feel would be better for her, but I really can't be arsed today

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Novemberusedtobemyfave · 08/11/2026 13:49

Cuttertheduck · 08/11/2026 13:43

Why is building Lego houses that much better than building houses in Minecraft?
And what is better about just consuming a movie vs. actually creating something?

I hadn't thought about it like that

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