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By Alyce Collins
Senior Reporter
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A mom-of-two has gone viral after revealing the very real effects of allowing her children to have screen time, and many fellow parents found themselves in the same boat.
Meems Gillette, 45, always tries to be honest about the realities of motherhood on her social media account (@twolittlestolove), and in December she opened up about the perks of allowing her children to spend time in front of the television or iPad. Sharing her thoughts in an Instagram Reel, she joked that when "kids get too much screen time," moms have way more free time to actually get things done.
Gillette, from El Dorado Hills, California, told Newsweek that she "wants to share the reality and normalize what moms need to do." Raising a family certainly isn't easy, and while everyone will do it differently, Gillette, whose children are aged 5 and 8, hopes to show that there is no shame in what people do.
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She said: "There is definitely stigma around screen time as we're supposedly raising iPad kids, as people say. I remember as a first-time mom, I was swayed with all the research and was very regimented with my first child. Once the second came, that went out the window because when raising a newborn and toddler, you're left on survival mode.
"Moms have the weight of the world on their shoulders with work, life, kids, and mental load, so the guilt is often so debilitating that we feel like a failure, when that's the furthest from the truth. We need to normalize whatever moms need to do for her to get things done or take a breather, because being a mom is the hardest job in the world."
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Although she's not as regimented as she used to be, Gillette adds that she does "still have rules" and her children don't usually get screen time in the week as they're busy doing school activities or sports. However, "it's more relaxed" at the weekend and they can enjoy a movie or two. But the mom-of-two also encourages them to play on learning apps, which aid their development.
What Are The Advised Screen Restrictions?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents to limit their child's screen time, and to eliminate it entirely (save for video chatting) for children under the age of 18 months. There should be no more than one hour a day of screen time for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years and parents can ensure that it's educational whenever possible.
It's harder to restrict it over the age of 5 as media becomes more integral to staying connected. But parents must remember that it shouldn't interfere with their development, sleep, daily exercise, or social interactions.
The AAP recommends implementing a strategy to manage electronic devices and ensure children can reap their benefits without it becoming detrimental. Actively engaging in playtime, or supervised independent play, are more beneficial than time in front of a screen, so the AAP suggests having media-free times every day. This could be around the dinner table, or perhaps before they go to bed in the evening.
How Did Social Media React?
Gillette has been blown away by the response to her post, which joked that moms "can actually get s*** done" when kids get more screen time. It has already been viewed more than 22 million times and received over 457,000 likes on Instagram, as many parents praised Gillette's positive outlook.
She told Newsweek: "The video went viral, which I didn't expect. The message behind my video was mainly how I view parenting. There are so many studies out there that claim this and that, but we as parents need to take that with a grain of salt and see how it fits within our family life.
"The majority seem to agree and understand the meaning behind it. But of course, there are others who are opposing. Usually, the negative comments are from people who aren't moms, I know because I was one of those who said the same things before I actually became a mom."
With over 6,500 comments on the viral post, many other parents shared their thoughts on Gillette's relaxed parenting style. One person responded: "There is no demographic more judgmental than moms online in a comments section talking about parenting."
Another Instagrammer wrote: "There is no manual to parenting. Do what works for your household and the kids. The world will adjust."
Others weren't so favorable, as one comment reads: "At the expense of your kids growing up without knowing how to entertain themselves without electronics."
If you have a parenting dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work and your story could be featured on Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" section.
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