School’s out, routines are loose, and screens are loud. If your teen’s favorite video game or group chat is calling 24/7, you’re not alone. Breaks are when young people naturally reach for connection and novelty—and when parents most want rest and real family time. You can set limits without power struggles. The trick is agreeing on structure, not policing every tap.
Below is a simple, therapist-tested plan you can adapt over break.
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Start with values, not rules
Before you talk about screen time limits, name what matters to your family on break: sleep, movement, time outside, chores, friends, downtime, and at least one shared activity. Write 3–5 values on a note: rest, respect, connection, responsibility, fun. Rules make sense when they serve those values.
Script:
“Break should feel good. We want enough rest and family time, plus space for friends, social media, and your favorite video game. Let’s design a plan that hits the important stuff and still gives you freedom.”
Want help setting this up? Meet with a family counselor in Buckhead or Alpharetta, or book a virtual session to customize a plan that fits your teen and your schedule.
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Define the “must-haves” of the day
Agree on 3–4 daily anchors that happen before unlimited screens. Keep them short and clear:
- Move your body (20 minutes—walk, stretch, shoot hoops).
- One task (room reset, dishes, pet care).
- Face time (breakfast, lunch, or an errand together).
- Plan check (what’s the main screen activity today and when?).
When anchors are done, screen access opens up with guardrails. This structure reduces nagging because the expectation is predictable.
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Time blocks beat endless negotiations
Instead of tracking every minute, block the day: morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, evening. Decide where screens are open and where they’re light or parked.
Example
- Morning (9–12): Anchors first; light screens for music/texts.
- Early afternoon (12–3): Open play—video games or long calls with friends.
- Late afternoon (3–6): Offline (hang with friends, help around the house, spend time outside).
- Evening (6–9): Family time: A meal and a show or game together.
- Overnight: Devices charge in the kitchen.
This protects the time spent on rest and presence while honoring that your teen spends time online to connect.
Northside families: Schedule in Suwanee for a one-session tune-up on routines that actually stick, or meet in Alpharetta. Virtual sessions are available if you’re traveling.
4) Separate content rules from time rules
Two levers keep conflict lower:
- Time rules: How much and when.
- Content rules: What’s in/out. (Mature streams? Late-night Discords? In-app purchases?)
Be clear on why: “Late screens wreck sleep; purchases need approval; no private chats with strangers.” Keep it brief, not moralizing.
5) Give teens real choice within the boundary.
Autonomy lowers resistance. Offer two or three options:
- “You’ve got a two-hour window. Do you want social media first or some time playing a video game?”
- “Our offline block is from 3:00pm–6:00pm. Do you want to go to a skate park or hang out with your cousins?”
When teens choose the order, they’re more likely to follow through.
6) Use tech tools to keep you out of the referee role
Most devices let you set app timers, downtime, and content filters. Turn them on together so you’re partners, not adversaries. If the timer runs out, the phone is the “bad cop,” not you. Keep exceptions rare and named.
7) Expect stumbles—and plan resets, not punishments
If the plan falls apart, skip the lecture and run a quick reset:
- Name it: “We went off plan yesterday.”
- Notice why: “Rain, late start, friends texting.”
- Reset one thing: “Today we’ll finish our anchors by 11 and move open play to 1–3.”
Consistency is the win, not perfection.
8) Keep one reliable family moment each day
Protect a simple ritual: device-free dinner, a 20-minute show you watch together, or a walk after dark to see lights. Teens may roll eyes at first, but predictable family times quietly build safety and belonging—the stuff they’ll remember.
9) For gamers and creators
If your teen lives for a video game, ask about goals beyond entertainment: finishing a campaign, playing with a far-away friend, or building a world.
Set “mission windows” during open blocks and encourage time for creation—music, editing, coding, art. “Creation credits” can extend screen time limits when they’re producing, not just scrolling.
10) Check in, don’t crack down
End the day with two questions:
- “What worked in the plan?”
- “What needs adjusting tomorrow?”
Short, curious check-ins keep things collaborative and reduce the urge to clamp down.
When extra support helps
If screens are crowding out sleep, school, or mood—or fights are constant—counseling can help you reset patterns and communicate without blowups. We work with young people and parents across Metro Atlanta and online.
- In-town: Buckhead for in-person sessions.
- Northside: Alpharetta or Suwanee—before or after work.
- Cobb & Southside: Marietta or Peachtree City.
- Prefer home: We offer secure virtual sessions.
A well-designed plan respects your teen’s world and your family’s needs. With clear values, simple blocks, and shared tools, you can set limits that support rest, connection, and fun—without turning the break into a battle.