Hi, I’m Zara—a working mom, coffee enthusiast, and the proud, slightly frazzled mother of a wildly curious little boy. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself juggling deadlines, reheating your coffee for the third time, and wondering if letting your kid watch another episode of Bluey makes you a bad mom (spoiler: it doesn’t).
I’m here to share a slice of my reality—equal parts chaos and love—and some screen-free activities that have helped my son stay engaged, learn new things, and have fun without a tablet glued to his hands. Along the way, I’ll also talk about time management, self-care, the inevitable mom guilt, and how we’re all just doing the best we can. Grab your coffee (hopefully still hot), and let’s dive in.
The Reality Check: Why I Wanted Screen-Free Time
I’ll be honest—screens are convenient. When I’m deep into a Zoom meeting or trying to meet a deadline, that bright little rectangle can be a lifesaver. But after noticing my son zoning out during meals and begging for my phone during car rides, I realized we needed a reset.
What started as a weekend experiment turned into a game-changer for our household. Not only did my son become more imaginative and independent, but I also felt a stronger connection with him—even if we were just sitting on the floor surrounded by LEGOs.
Fun and Educational Screen-Free Activities That Actually Work
1. Nature Walks and Treasure Hunts
Sometimes, the simplest things are the most magical. We started going on “nature treasure hunts” in our neighborhood. I’d make a simple list—something green, something round, a bird, a stick shaped like a letter—and we’d set off with a basket in hand. It became our little ritual, full of giggles, discovery, and fresh air.
Pro tip: Laminate a checklist and use dry-erase markers to reuse it weekly!
2. DIY Sensory Bins
Sensory play is a winner in our house. I fill a plastic bin with rice, beans, or kinetic sand and toss in spoons, cups, and little toys. My son will scoop, pour, and dig for what feels like hours (realistically 20-30 minutes, which is gold in mom-time).
3. Story Time with a Twist
Instead of just reading books, we started making up our own stories. We take turns adding parts to a story, and it’s hilarious what kids come up with. One time, our cat became a space explorer named Captain Meow-Meow. I laughed until I cried.
4. Art Time = Quiet Time
We’re not fancy—just markers, watercolors, and a giant roll of butcher paper. I let him draw all over the kitchen floor (paper-covered, of course), and he feels like a muralist. Bonus: it’s therapeutic for both of us.
5. Learning Through Play
Building blocks, counting games, matching cards—these keep his mind sharp without feeling like school. I try to rotate toys to keep things fresh without always buying new ones.
Time Management: Balancing Work and Play
If I had a dollar for every time I said “Just give me five more minutes,” I’d be writing this from a beach. Managing time is hard, especially when you’re working from home or juggling different shifts.
Here’s what’s helped me:
- Themed Days: Mondays are for art, Tuesdays for baking, Wednesdays for puzzles—you get the idea. This gives our days structure without being too rigid.
- Activity Baskets: I keep 3-4 ready-to-go baskets with different themes. When I need focused work time, I pull one out and let him explore.
- Visual Schedules: A simple chart with pictures helps him understand the flow of the day—work time for mom, play time, lunch, nap, etc. It creates predictability, which kids thrive on.
Self-Care: Finding Moments for Me (and Not Feeling Guilty About It)
I used to think self-care meant bubble baths and spa days. And while I wouldn’t say no to either, self-care these days looks like:
- Drinking water before my third coffee.
- Taking five minutes to stretch.
- Reading a few pages of a book after bedtime.
- Saying no to things that drain me.
And you know what? That’s enough.
Overcoming the Guilt: The “Am I Doing Enough?” Spiral
The mom guilt is real. I’ve had those days where my son asks me to play, and I have to say no because work won’t wait. Then I spiral—“Does he feel ignored?” “Am I being a bad mom?”
But here’s the truth I’ve learned: being present when you can matters more than being perfect all the time.
I started practicing a little habit that’s helped immensely: when I finish work, I take a deep breath, shut my laptop, and say, “Okay, buddy, I’m all yours now.” That one sentence lights up his whole face. It’s not about quantity—it’s about quality.
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance
This is still a work-in-progress for me, but here’s what’s helped:
1. Set Boundaries (and Stick to Them)
I set a work cut-off time. After that, it’s family time—no emails, no Slack, just us.
2. Get Help When You Can
I resisted this for a long time, but asking for help doesn’t make you weak. Whether it’s your partner, a friend, or a babysitter for a few hours—it’s okay to not do it all alone.
3. Plan Ahead (Loosely)
Sunday evenings, I glance at the week ahead and plug in key meetings, meal ideas, and screen-free activity time. It’s not a strict schedule, but it gives me a roadmap.
4. Celebrate Small Wins
You packed lunch? Victory. You played with your kid for 20 uninterrupted minutes? Champion. We have to acknowledge our wins—even the tiny ones.
An Empowering Note to All Moms (Including You)
If you’ve made it this far, I hope you feel less alone. This motherhood thing? It’s beautiful, messy, exhausting, and breathtaking—sometimes all in one afternoon.
You don’t need to be perfect. Your child doesn’t need a Pinterest-worthy activity every hour. What they do need is you—imperfect, present, loving, and trying.
So next time the guilt creeps in, remember: you’re showing up, every single day, in ways that matter more than you know. Whether it’s reading a bedtime story, making a peanut butter sandwich, or building a block tower—you’re enough.
Take a breath. Pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee. And give yourself the grace you so freely give to others.
We got this, mama. ❤️
