A Blog by Colleen Noll

Hey Parents,

After surviving the first big “No iPad!” meltdown, the next question I always hear is:

“Okay Colleen… so what are the rules supposed to be?”

Great question. Because vague ideas like “less screen time” sound nice until you’re standing in the kitchen at 7:15 a.m. with a tired toddler and a phone in your hand.

I’m not here to hand you a rigid rulebook written by people who’ve never met your child. I’m here to share simple, age-appropriate guidelines that actually stick; the kind that work in real homes with real kids (and real tired parents).

A quick note from our MPO6 world: When our four kids were little, smartphones and tablets weren’t part of daily life yet. We still had to decide on family TV time and figure out car rides without tiny glowing screens. The principles we used then still work beautifully today.

Simple Age-Appropriate Guidelines

Under 2 years old

Screens are mostly unnecessary. Video calls with grandparents? Wonderful. Everything else can wait. At this age, little brains need real faces, real voices, and real hands-on exploration far more than any cartoon.

Ages 2–5 (the heart of preschool years)

Think short, intentional, and shared.

• Aim for 30–60 minutes total on most days (not every day has to include screens).
• High-quality content only.
• Watch with them whenever possible.
• No screens during meals, in the car as a default, or right before bed.

Ages 6–8

A little more flexibility, still clear boundaries.

• Clear daily or weekly limits.
• Screens after homework, outdoor play, and chores.
• Device-free family times (meals, car rides under 20 minutes, bedtime routine).

What Makes the Rules Actually Stick

1. Write them down and post them
   Kids do better when the rules live on the fridge instead of only in Mom’s head. Keep it simple:
   “Screens after we play outside.”
   “No phones at the table.”
   “Tablet stays in the living room.”
2. Be consistent more than perfect
   One off-day doesn’t ruin everything. What matters is the overall pattern. Kids notice when the rules only apply sometimes.
3. Model what you want to see
   If we’re scrolling through dinner or answering emails while walking into school, the rules lose power. Our kids are excellent copycats.
4. Offer better alternatives before the screen is requested
   Have a “boredom basket,” outdoor time, or a simple activity ready. When kids know something fun is coming, the demand for the tablet softens.
5. Involve them (even a little)
   Let older preschoolers help choose the family movie night or pick which day is “screen day.” Ownership helps cooperation.
6. Have a clear off-switch
   When time is up, it’s up. A gentle timer or a consistent phrase (“Screens are finished for today”) works better than long negotiations.

A Gentle Reality Check

Some days the rules will bend. Travel days, sick days, or those rare evenings when everyone is exhausted. That’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s teaching kids that screens are a tool, not a constant companion.

In our schools and in our own home, the families who succeed long-term aren’t the ones who never allow screens. They’re the ones who decide ahead of time what feels right for their children and then stick with it kindly and firmly.

You get to create the culture in your home. You decide what “age-appropriate” looks like for your family.

Start small. Pick two or three clear rules. Practice them for two weeks. Adjust as needed. Celebrate the moments when your child accepts “not right now” without a full meltdown.

Those small wins add up. And one day you’ll look over and see your child building a fort, drawing, or simply daydreaming; and you’ll realize the rules are working.

You’ve got this.

With practical love and plenty of grace,

Colleen Noll

MSOSV Founder & MPO6 mom who still believes the best childhood moments happen when the screens are off

Next up: How to handle playdates, car rides, restaurants, and rainy days without reaching for the tablet. See you soon!