Home / Parenting & Family

Solved

How much screen time is ok for a 3 year old? Feeling guilty.

Both of us work full time and honestly we use the iPad to survive dinner prep and calls. My mum keeps saying it'll ruin his development. How do other SG working parents actually manage this?
Anonymous asker ·Asked on 17 hours ago ·643 views ·4 answers

4 contributors answered

Best Answer
Techie Jun Hao Beginner First-hand experience Software engineer at a local startup, can talk salary bands, layoffs and whether bootcamp worth it or not.
Working parent of two, drop the guilt first, it doesn't help anyone. HPB guideline is under an hour a day of quality screen time for that age, but real life with two working parents is messier than guidelines. What actually helped us: make screen time predictable and boxed, not random. We have a "iPad after bath, one show" rule so he knows when it comes and when it stops, way fewer tantrums than ad-hoc. Choose slower content (not the hyper flashy stuff) and co-watch when you can, even narrating from the kitchen counts. Weekends we go heavy on playground and library to balance. Your kid is not ruined by an iPad during dinner prep, kids in daycare all day are exposed to plenty of interaction. Consistency matters more than the exact minutes.
Anonymous contributor Beginner First-hand experience
My mum said the same thing lah, then I reminded her we grew up watching hours of TV and turned out fine. Moderation is the point. We use it during our WFH calls and don't stress. Kid speaks well, socialises fine at PCF. Guilt is optional.
Anonymous contributor Beginner First-hand experience
Content quality matters more than time honestly. Educational slow-paced stuff in the language you want him to pick up beats zero screen plus a stressed screaming parent. You're doing fine.
HR Sis Michelle Beginner First-hand experience 15 years in HR, seen enough resignation drama and lowball offers to know what is fair pay in SG.
One thing that reduced our reliance: a bin of "busy activities" only for dinner prep time. Play-doh, stickers, magnetic tiles. Rotates novelty so it stays interesting. iPad became the backup instead of default. Small change, big difference.

Answer this

or Log in Answer with your account and build reputation.

Related questions

4
Parenting & Family 4 answers Bounty 5 points

Confinement nanny worth the $3-4k? First-time parents deciding.

Baby due in 2 months. Confinement nannies here cost $3-4k for 28 days and are booked out e…

636 views
5
Parenting & Family 3 answers Solved

Is PSLE tuition really necessary or are we just following the herd?

My P4 kid is doing okay in school but every other parent has enrolled their child in 3-4 t…

669 views
3
Parenting & Family 3 answers Bounty 5 points

Infant care centre vs grandparents for childcare, what did you choose?

Both of us work full-time, maternity leave ending soon. Infant care has long waitlists and…

152 views