5 Reasons I Embrace Screen Time Without Mum Guilt
It can be a calming tool after a long and difficult day.
After a busy day at school or a family gathering, where she’s been surrounded by people and constant demands, giving her 20 minutes to unwind with a comfort show makes a huge difference. No instructions, no pressure, just her, the sofa, and something familiar. She chooses what she wants to watch, where she wants to sit, and even her snack. That sense of autonomy is so important, especially for a child with a PDA profile. It gives her space to reset and helps prevent overwhelm before it turns into a meltdown.
It gives me a moment to breathe.
In the same vein, coming home from work, needing to deal with the pets, unpack our bags and make a start on tea can feel overwhelming, especially on days where I haven’t had a moment to myself and I am running on empty. Allowing screen time gives me time to breathe, reset and regulate. With one of the biggest perks being it’s mess-free and low effort.
It supports speech and language development.
At age 3, Billie’s speech was delayed, and communication was difficult with most adults and other children. This was a major source of frustration for her. Although we were referred to S.A.L.T. (Speech and Language Therapy), there wasn’t much progress. But then we discovered watching shows like Ms Rachel excited Billie, the mix of different visuals kept her engaged, and she even began to copy some small words. Billie also loved nursery rhymes, combining the two, songs with engaging visuals. Billie’s speech went from non-existent to singing full nursery rhymes. She also started regularly repeating phrases through echolalia. To say I was over the moon was an understatement! And it reminded us that learning doesn’t always look traditional, especially for neurodivergent children. Sometimes, screen time becomes more than just a break—it becomes a bridge.
It can be interactive.
Screen time doesn’t always have to mean sitting in front of a TV. I’ve spent time finding apps that strike a balance between fun and learning. Some of them include simple maths games that gently introduce skills like addition, subtraction, and number recognition in a playful, low-pressure way. Others focus on puzzles and patterns, which have been great for encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking. It’s been lovely to see her engage with these apps—not just for entertainment, but as a way to build confidence and learn at her own pace.
It’s in addition to, not instead of.
Billie can often be found playing with her toys or outside in the garden. We also spend a lot of time reading new books and listening to stories on her Toniebox. Screen time doesn’t take away from any of this, it is just part of it. And if I am being honest, it brings her joy and isn’t that enough 🩷
