It's October, and you know what that means: Halloween! Although it's technically not a kids' holiday, children do celebrate it more often than grown-ups. This year, eight in 10 parents with children under 18 say they're going to partake in Halloween activities, and only six in 10 adults without kids will do the same.
October is the month of costumes, candy, and just a general rise in anxiety and sleepless nights for parents. It's become a monthly tradition here at Bored Panda to show people what the daily life of a parent looks like, but through the lens of funny tweets.
So, this month, we're looking at what moms and dads have been going through during the spookiest month of all, and how they've been able not to lose their heads – figuratively, and, because it's Halloween, possibly literally, too!
Luckily, there are some strategies parents can use to minimize their children's screen time. As the experts from the Mayo Clinic advise:
- Don't use screens as background noise. Even those who grew up with parents in the '80s or the '90s may be used to the TV running in the background while having dinner, doing homework, or even reading. Experts say that it distracts children, so, it's better to turn devices off.
- Place screens outside of the bedroom. Remove the temptation to fall asleep to a YouTube video or a TV show – it ruins the sleep cycle, remember? Experts say that children tend to spend more time in front of a screen when their parents are not watching, which is usually while they're in their room.
- Ban devices during dinner time. It's a good idea for the entire family to put their devices away while eating. Experts also caution that it encourages "mindless munching," which might lead to weight gain. It also prolongs screen time: a kid will keep watching until he or she finishes his or her meal, which might be slower since they're concentrating on what they're watching so much.
But what about you, Panda parents? How was your October and how did you cope with all the joys and challenges that parenting brings? Share your stories with us in the comments! And while you're here, don't forget to check out our previous compilations of the funniest parenting tweets from September, August, and July!
