Meghan Markle And Kate Middleton Have A Major Parenting Priority In Common

At first glance, it's easy to assume that Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton would have little in common as mothers. For one, the two have different approaches to the fame surrounding their children. Kate and Prince William have tried to find balance, involving their kids in public events but keeping their home life private, while Meghan and Prince Harry have gone to great lengths to keep their two children almost entirely away from the spotlight. However, there is at least one key way that Markle and Middleton's parenting styles align.

Among parents, technology can be a controversial topic, with some believing zero screen time is best, while others feel digital activity is a must, so their kids don't fall behind. One thing Middleton and Markle can agree on is that they aren't fans of screen time for their children. Middleton and William don't allow any of their kids to have cell phones, and the Princess of Whales has even co-authored an essay for the The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood on the subject. Similarly, Meghan has made appearances at speaking events to talk about the importance of controlling screen time and has supported organizations focused on digital safety for kids. The two women rarely see eye to eye (aside from the times when Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's fashion choices had us seeing double), but the reasoning behind their concerns about screen time are almost identical.

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton believe younger children shouldn't get screen time, so they have the chance to focus on nurturing real relationships first. "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," Kate wrote in her essay. Meghan echoed similar reasoning, explaining in an interview (via YouTube) that online relationships can only mimic a fraction of real ones. "You cannot replace the feeling of a deep guttural belly laugh. An emoji is not the same physiological response that we need, that our kids need," she said. 

Kate has also spoken about the impact screen time has on building friendships, arguing that despite the increased access to each other that comes with technology, we have become "more isolated, more lonely, and less equipped to form the warm, meaningful relationships that research tells us are the foundation of a healthy life." This is obviously a problem, as there are legitimate mental health implications that come with not having close friendships. If Meghan and Kate's advocacy has you worrying about your children's digital activity, you may want to examine your own habits first. Don't ignore the signs that you might be getting too much screen time, because kids learn from watching their parents. It's much easier to help children develop a healthy relationship with technology when you have your own boundaries in place.