Dear Parents
I have recently joined an organisation called Health Professionals for Safer Screens. The organisation are really proud to share our Summer of Connection campaign – to support parents of young children to have a screen free summer. It will run over July and August.
As health professionals, we know that parenting small children is one of the most challenging jobs there is. It’s messy, noisy, relentless, and full of pressure from every direction. However, we also recognise that we are in the midst of a public health crisis. It’s happening quietly in prams and playrooms, during mealtimes and meltdowns. It’s not always obvious, but it’s real. Think about seat belts. Think about smoking. Once we knew the harm, everything changed. We’re at that same tipping point now, only this time, it’s screens.
This is why we have created the Summer of Connections campaign which will run all summer. We’re on the parents’ side. They don’t need more guilt. They deserve honest and supportive information to help them make the best choices for their family. I truly believe that if parents had access to the right information, they would make different choices. And until they do, we can’t expect them to carry the weight alone.
We have a fabulous booklet which we have created with Global Parenting Expert, Jo Frost, which is beautifully illustrated with expert information and brilliant, easy and fun swaps.
Jo says of the booklet that ‘It is a practical toolkit filled with ideas that make it easier for families to gently reduce screen time and create stronger, lasting bonds through play, curiosity, laughter, and presence. It recognises that parenting in today’s world is incredibly complex, but also reminds us that we are never powerless. We can reclaim the little moments.”
Hugh Grant has described the book as “Brilliant and important. Every parent should read this.”
Jonathan Haidt says “This short e-book is full of simple and powerful ‘swaps’ that any parent can make to give their children – and themselves – more time enjoying each other and the healthy pleasures of life in three dimensions.”
Health Professionals for Safer Screens also have a website full of advice, videos and easy swaps from our health professionals and an Instagram account @healthprosforsaferscreens for you to hear our latest updates.
Please do follow us on social media and share all of this with other parents and carers.
We are also building a bank of resources at the surgery to provide some inspiration for local, screen free fun. You can find them here or in the waiting room at the surgery.
With best wishes
Dr Fiona Dawe