Get Off That *#!@!* Screen!. An Ode to Parenting in the Screen Age (because it sucks) - Willow Older

“A playful (and all-too-relatable) tribute to the challenge of prying kids—and ourselves!—off of screens.” —Catherine Price #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Break Up With Your Phone

In our screen-saturated world, children aged 8–12 often spend around five to six hours daily on entertainment screens, while teens average over eight hours—many exceeding nine—with roughly half of teens logging four or more hours outside of schoolwork. This heavy use crowds out vital real-world experiences, contributing to poorer sleep, reduced attention, and lower academic performance. Studies show that each extra hour of daily screen time in early childhood is linked to about a 9–10% lower chance of achieving higher levels on standardized reading and math tests later in elementary school. Reducing screen time, by contrast, leads to meaningful gains: kids sleep better, concentrate more easily, behave more positively, and earn stronger grades. They also enjoy improved physical health, richer social connections, greater creativity, and stronger emotional well-being—foundations that support school success and long-term life achievement.

Families who step away from devices rediscover the simple, lasting joys of climbing trees, building forts, playing board games, riding bikes, and having uninterrupted conversations. These moments spark imagination, boost confidence, and create memories far brighter than any screen. With less digital distraction, children develop better focus for learning, form deeper relationships, and build the resilience and real-world skills that lead to brighter futures.

Willow Older is the perfect mom-author advocate to champion this call for kids to take back their lives from screens. Co-author and co-illustrator of her first book, the beloved mindfulness title Today I Noticed: A Little Book of Mindfulness that Will Change the Way You See the World (an Oprah favorite), this New Zealand-raised public speaker, writer, and Bay Area professional brings warmth, humor, and wisdom shaped by raising two remarkable young men who thrive on real-life passions rather than screens. With playful rhymes and delightful illustrations, her book offers a joyful, relatable nudge to unplug, reset, and embrace the wonder-filled world waiting just beyond the glow.