58 | Creating a Screen-Free Childhood in 2026
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I have an unpopular opinion: I think it’s easier to raise kids without screens.
I know, I know. You don’t belive me? That’s why I’m here to share all things screen-free: why we went screen-free two years ago, what that looks like with four kids four and under, and some of the things we do instead.
How did we get here?
Raising my kids without screens wasn’t something I chose when my first child was in the womb.
A couple of years ago, we were in a really rough spot with screens. I think we were all screen addicted. My kids were watching six-plus hours of TV some days while I was trying to work from home.
This was my season of two under two, and I want to acknowledge that having two under two is hard, especially the first time. (I actually think life with four under four is easier than two under two.) So if you’re in the thick of it and can’t fathom ditching screens, I have a lot of grace for you. It is hard.
I’m not here to shame you. But I want to encourage you and maybe invite you to try an experiment. I want you to walk away with excitement to try something new, even if it’s just a small shift.
Why We Decided to Go Screen-Free
One of my daughter’s first words was “Bear” because she wanted to watch Little Bear nonstop. When she started asking for specific shows, it really freaked me out. I didn’t like how obsessed she was.
So, because I struggle with balance and tend to be drastic, we decided to try an experiment. We were moving into a new home, and I said to my husband, “Let’s just not put the TV up. Let’s try it for a few weeks.”
We cut TV cold turkey. We didn’t put it up when we moved, and she never asked for it. She had never seen a TV in this house, so she didn’t think to ask. I think it came up once, and we just said, “Nope, there’s no TV.”
The transition wasn’t all rainbows. There was a detox period, just like there is for adults coming off screens. But it wasn’t as drastic as I expected.
We loved it so much that we still don’t have a TV set up in our home two years later. We own one, but we only bring it out for special occasions like family movie nights. It’s not part of our everyday life.
This also changed things for my husband and me. Watching TV now requires effort, so we rarely do it. We talk more, feel more connected, read more books, and go to bed earlier.
Screens don’t leave me feeling rested. If I spend my evening on a screen, I don’t wake up refreshed. But if I read, take a bath, or have a cup of tea, I actually feel rested.
What is it like Parenting Without Screens?
The first few days, I felt exhausted and overstimulated. But like most transitions in motherhood, it was only hard for a short time.
I always expect transitions to be really hard—potty training, sleep changes, taking away a soother—but they’re usually only hard for a few nights. Screens were the same. Within a few days, I was so grateful we made the change.
If you want to try a screen-free experiment, commit to two weeks. You can do anything for two weeks, and you’ll start to see the benefits.
The Pros of Going Screen-Free
No more struggling to find balance
I don’t have to decide how much TV is okay. It’s simpler to cut it out altogether. I struggle with balance and tend to bend my own rules, so this works better for me.
Screentime is a treat
When we do movie nights, it’s special. The kids get excited. It’s intentional, not mundane.
More real-life play and learning
Screens displace other activities. Every hour spent watching a screen is an hour not spent playing, imagining, reading, or interacting.
We all sleep well and play well
My kids are calm and sleep well. Our home is often quiet, even with four kids.
No more mom guilt
I felt constant guilt when my kids were on screens all the time. Apparently, 68% of parents worry their kids’ screen time is too much. Cutting screens removed that guilt completely.
We LOVE reading and audiobooks
My kids love books and audiobooks because TV isn’t competing for their attention. We read a ton of books as a family, and I read a ton on my kindle.
What do we do instead of watching TV?
Like I said, my kids love books. All three older ones will sit and flip through books, reciting lines they remember.
They also love audiobooks. We use Yoto players, which let them control what they listen to with very kid-friendly cards. They can choose stories, songs, or the Yoto Daily Podcast. These audio stories aren’t in competition with the TV or ipad, they are the main entertainment my kids have when an adult is not available to read to them.
Since I have four kids and they are used to playing without screens, they often make up their own games. They run off together playing pretend or gather around a toy or activity.
I keep activities on hand like Play-Doh, magnatiles, sticker books, and building toys. Sometimes it takes a bit more planning on my part, but it is work I’m happy to put in and now I’m used to it.
What about my screen time as a mom?
I believe if I want my kids to be happy without screens, I need to model life with minimal screens. I don’t have a smartphone as my main phone, and my kids don’t see me constantly on my phone or watching TV.
I wouldn’t feel good about asking them to be screen-free if I wasn’t willing to do it too. I truly view it as a blessing to give them a screen-free childhood.
Episode 8: How to spend less time on your phone
How I rest without screens to babysit
We do quiet time every day. The kids spend an hour in their rooms with books and Yoto players. They go to bed at a good time.
These rhythms help me rest, regroup, and plan the next part of the day. I often prefer to work (on homemaking tasks) while the kids are awake and rest while they rest. Life feels sustainable and enjoyable with these simple daily rhythms!
Episode 20: Toddler Quiet Time Tips
Final Encouragement
Since getting rid of TV, I’ve never wanted it back. Even during my last pregnancy, it didn’t cross my mind to turn on a show when I was sick and exhausted in the first trimester.
Taking away screens isn’t depriving your kids. Being bored isn’t bad. For me, screens always felt like a promise of peace, but they only brought more chaos. Especially when it was time to turn them off.
Without screens, my kids play better, melt down less, and participate in daily life. I invite them into what I’m doing—baking, cleaning, cooking—and they’re happy to help or play nearby.
I hope this was an encouraging peek behind the scenes of what life without screens actually looks like. If this intrigues you at all, try it for two weeks. Physically move the TV out of sight and see what happens.
You might find that you really love life without screens!
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