Supernanny Jo Frost has praised her approach as ‘mindful’ parenting
A childcare expert has applauded Kate Middleton’s “mindful” approach to managing her children’s screen time. The Princess of Wales, 44, maintains strict controls over smartphone and screen usage for her three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
While such restrictions frequently spark debate amongst parents, with some dismissing them as ‘old-fashioned’, one professional has backed the royal couple’s strategy.
Jo Frost, the childcare specialist famous for the reality series Supernanny UK, has endorsed the Prince and Princess of Wales’ methods. The expert, who worked as a nanny for over three decades, commented: “From a professional standpoint I strongly agree with the decision the Prince and Princess of Wales are making.”
She continued: “Their approach to holding back on smartphones and limiting their children’s screen exposure is not old-fashioned parenting – it is based on informed, intentional, and deeply connected, intuitive parenting. I see on social media this blanket tone as if old-fashioned often implies nostalgia, a longing for the past, or a resistance to progress. This is none of those things.”
Discussing her reasoning, Princess Kate emphasised that she and her husband prioritise emotional bonds above digital ease. Their stance mirrors that of many contemporary parents throughout Britain, where smartphones and similar devices have become standard household technology, reports the Mirror.
Ms Frost, 55, characterised the royals’ strategy as an illustration of “mindful” parenting. In conversation with HELLO!, she explained: “These parents are fully aware they are raising children in a digitally saturated world just like millions of other parents worldwide. They are not in denial of technology’s place in society and they are simply choosing to lead rather than react and cave in.”
Specialists have previously contended that children typically achieve better – and longer – sleep when screen time is restricted. The method has also been suggested to encourage youngsters to engage with their environment, regulate their emotions and forge stronger connections with family members.
Drawing on these studies, the Princess of Wales penned in an essay last year: “Our smartphones, tablets, and computers have become sources of constant distraction, fragmenting our focus and preventing us from giving others the undivided attention that relationships require.
“We sit together in the same room while our minds are scattered across dozens of apps, notifications, and feeds. We’re physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us.”
In the essay, the princess proceeds to emphasise the principle she has consistently advocated: that the first five years of a child’s life are the most critical for cultivating social and emotional capabilities that will be utilised throughout our lives.
