Screen Time & ‘Brondies’

Call me a bad mom, but … I’m currently letting my 2 year old watch multiple episodes of Max & Ruby while her infant brother is asleep in his crib, hopefully for more than 15 minutes.

On Breakfast Television this morning they were discussing the new recommendations for kids with regards to screen time. It’s no screen time for 2 and under and 1 hour/day for ages 2-5. If I’m being honest, we often watch more than an hour of TV a day.

Today I set out with the goal of zero screen time (at least until dinner). We went grocery shopping, then came home and played out back until 1 pm. Then we took the dog for a walk around the neighbourhood (also my feeble attempt to get my toddler to nap). Then we played with playdough, made a chocolate cake, and listened to music.

Then our favourite 2 month old fella got fussy. He hasn’t had a poop in 3 days now so I can imagine why he’s fussy. And Ev wanted to pop balloons (succeeded, scared herself and cried), pull my hair, and generally try my already strained patience.

So I settled Jack down for a nap and put him somewhere quiet and now my daughter is quietly (well… quieter than before) curled up on my lap watching a show.

I think if the screen time research was done by parents at home with a toddler who hasn’t napped all week and a constipated infant, the outcome might be a bit different.

Call me a bad mom if you want but I’m a better mom when I’ve had some time to just sit quietly. As quietly as you can with two children.

And, as with most things in life, I really believe in ‘everything in moderation’.

I’m also going to share a recipe for brownies which turned out less chocolatey than anticipated so I’m calling them ‘Brondies’ (a cross between a brownie and a blondie)

You will need:

• 1/3 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup Rosebuds (google them if you’re not sure what they are)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Over medium heat, melt butter, sugar and 2 tbsp water in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add in Rosebuds, stir until melted. Allow the chocolate mixture to cool.
• Whisk in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Pour into the chocolate mixture and stir to combine.
• Pour into a greased brownie pan and bake for about 30 minutes. Let cool then cut and enjoy.