It used to be that if you could wrangle your kids away from the T.V set, you could sit down at the table for dinner and have an actual person to person conversation. Now days the T.V. can be turned off but that doesn't stop the iphone, ipad, DSI or range of other devices from magically appearing.

So we have a rule in our house; no toys or screens at the dinner table. And we try to engage our kids in conversation by asking questions like "What was the best part of your day?" or "What made you happy today?" and "Did anything happen today that you didn't like?" It doesn't always work. Our youngest gives the same answer for every question, everyday. But at least we sit and look at each other and there is an opportunity for discussion.

We don't have computers or TVs in the kid's bedrooms and we try to limit the use of other screens in those rooms. During the school holidays we have a 'no screens before midday' policy. This was very effective until my oldest started sleeping in till 11.30am.

I guess what I've learnt as a parent is that there are no hard and fast rules. You have to change with the times and with your kids. But that doesn't mean giving up on the values and morals you are trying to teach them.

Technology may have an increasingly large role to play in my children's lives but there will always be a line in the sand for me. And at the moment, that line is the kitchen table.

Justine Edward