Nidia Lizbet Gonzalez, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mom of three and pastor’s wife, has helped her kids and improved her family life in an amazing way, and she wants to share how unplugging from devices caused drastic changes in positive ways.
Her 4- and 5-year-olds were having issues at home, often arguing and misbehaving. It seemed like they could never get along peacefully. They were also spending 8 to 10 hours on their iPads or watching YouTube or TV constantly every day.
When Ms. Gonzalez’s 5-year-old started kindergarten, she was hoping his behavioral issues would change, but the problems he was facing at home only amplified when he attended school.
His teacher informed Ms. Gonzalez and her husband that their son was having trouble focusing in class, was so easily distracted that he couldn’t even follow simple instructions, and had become disruptive. The teacher suggested having him seen by a professional.
“It was at that moment when I made the brave decision to take away all screen time in our home,” Ms. Gonzalez told The Epoch Times.
Determined to make sure the new no-screen regimen wasn’t a “punishment,” she and her husband set out to create activities aimed at increasing their quality family time and improving everyone’s moods.
“I started with a simple box that I filled with all kinds of writing supplies and lots of paper. Every morning I set out these boxes on the dining table and let them create whatever they wanted,” the mom said.
At first, the parents had to sit down and coax them to draw. But as days went by, both parents noticed the children began to eagerly create art without prompting.
She made it clear to her son that she and his father would try their best to help him become a better student. Soon, when others asked him why he wasn’t watching his iPad or TV anymore, his response was: “Because it was making me too crazy.”
Her 4-year-old daughter had a slightly harder time with the new system because the reason for it was harder for her to understand. But she grasped that Mom and Dad wanted them to spend less time on their screens and more time together as a family.
“We even made sure we displayed their art in my husband’s office so that our children knew we valued their work and that we were so proud of them,” Ms. Gonzalez said.
Time was set aside for uninterrupted family meals, something they rarely did together previously. The parents also helped teach the kids to cook.
One of the biggest changes they saw was in how the kids no longer needed a screen to stay entertained, Ms. Gonzalez said. They could focus on drawing, reading, or playing with actual toys.
They became more aware of their surroundings, too, the mom said. By asking questions about the world and how things worked, they broadened their understanding of life.
Another big win, she added, was seeing their communication skills greatly enhanced.
And all these new attributes compounded, manifesting in stronger social skills beyond the family domain, interacting with the world outside.
No longer needing a screen to stay engaged and have fun meant livelier experiences with other kids—such as in public settings or out dining at restaurants.
Her family’s screen-free journey began only about three months ago, in fact, and already they’ve seen such dramatic changes.
Ms. Gonzalez offered advice for parents considering limiting their children’s screen time.
There is no greater investment, she said, than time well spent with your children.
“There’s a hidden lie that we adults have more important things to do,” she said, “or that we deserve a break. So we keep our children quiet and entertained with a screen.”
It’s not the reality, though, but is what separates parents from their children.
Reprioritizing and placing family first, by removing screens, may be hard initially. You can expect a week or two of screaming and tantrums, she added. Which is why she wrote a guidebook to help them “detox” from devices.
“I share in detail what I did to get started as well as how I redirected my children’s interests,” she told us.
Ms. Gonzalez wants to state for the record that there’s no shame or guilt in allowing your kids some screen time, by making a conscious decision.
“But there is an underlying problem when that screen time is the only thing that gives you satisfaction,” she said. “Ask yourself, what brings you joy?”
Is it being in nature, enjoying a good meal, perhaps? she inquired. Whatever it is, you can build the life you’ve always dreamed of, but it starts with your choice right now, today.
