Momsensical: I banned all electronic devices from my family's latest road trip

Was it a perfect trip? No. Was there more conflict than there would have been without the ban? Probably (“Don’t bite your brother’s shirt!” was a new one for me). But our interactions were also more meaningful and frequent — including and especially the positive ones.

On the way home, we played license plate alphabet bingo; this cannot be done while wearing earphones.

Despite their grim predictions to the contrary, every single one of my kids survived. And even came home smiling.

Finally, my resolutions:

Help my kids grow and develop by carefully determining screen-time rules and limits while offering them plenty of other great activities and opportunities.

Give my kids the very most and the very best of my time.

In the end, realize it’s my kids — not my devices — who will be around for a limited time only.

Susie Boyce is a mom, writer and public speaker. Her column, "Momsensical," appears in North Dallas area publications and posts bimonthly on KSL.com. Visit her website at www.seriousmomsense.com.