'The mobile phone rule I make every child who enters my house follow.'

How to manage device time for your children is a minefield for any parent in 2019, but one mum has implemented a genius plan for when her kids have friends over.

Glennon Doyle, the the brains behind popular blog Momastery and author of the number one New York Times best-selling memoir Love Warrior, helpfully shared her rule on Instagram recently.

Earlier this week, Doyle, who’s a mum of three, posted a photo of a basket full of at least 11 mobile phones.

“I love my kids’ friends so much that I want them to talk to each other at our house,” the 41-year-old explained in the post.

“So Abby and I have them check their phones at the door. Which we can do cause we’re the bosses of this house.”

View this post on Instagram

I love my kids’ friends so much that I want them to talk to each other at our house. So Abby and I have them check their phones at the door. Which we can do cause we’re the bosses of this house. They all act exasperated but seem interestingly relieved. Then, after a minute, they look at each other. And talk. And dance and laugh and stuff. And they remember that they are with their friends so there is no need to be anywhere else.

A post shared by Glennon Doyle (@glennondoyle) on Mar 4, 2019 at 1:27pm PST

A laudable, and boss, parenting move – but how do the kids respond?

“They all act exasperated but seem interestingly relieved,” Doyle, whose partner is Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Abby Wambach, wrote.

“Then, after a minute, they look at each other. And talk. And dance and laugh and stuff.

“And they remember that they are with their friends so there is no need to be anywhere else.”

Considering how tied most people are to their mobile phones, that’s a fairly impressive result.

Doyle’s post has been liked more than 60,000 times, and her 500,000 plus followers had lots to say about her decision.

View this post on Instagram

I cannot believe she’s mine. World, be good to her.

A post shared by Glennon Doyle (@glennondoyle) on Jan 3, 2019 at 4:00pm PST

Many didn’t believe removing property from children was a good idea.

“Just a reminder some kids find comfort in their phone,” one person observed, adding, “for some kids with anxiety, it takes courage to hang out at friend’s houses and having their phone is a source of comfort… so let’s not all jump on the leave the phone at the door bandwagon.”

Another parent liked the idea in her own home – but not for her daughter in someone else’s home.

“I love this for my house because I know I’m a good parent and not a creep,” she wrote. “But the thought of my daughter having any barriers to reach me when she’s at someone else’s house scares me.”

One commenter thought the rule was unnecessary in general. “Why does it matter if they have their phones or not?” they queried. “Some of the best fun is made with phone in hand.”

However, Doyle’s stance was also widely supported, with many saying they would adopt the same policy with their own children.

One commenter wrote, “I like this because kids can relax without worrying that something they say or do will be recorded and shared.”

A teacher loved the idea. “Every parent should do this! [The kids] are relieved, there is so much pressure to be connected all the time. It’s something students share with me at school quite often. Great that you have given them back this gift of REAL connection.”

And of course, some people observed that the same rule could, and should, be universally applied.

“This is a great idea! This should be done for some adults too.”

What do you think of this mobile phone rule? Tell us in the comments below.

Calling mums with bubs and mums to be. Take our super fun survey now to win $100!

'The mobile phone rule I make every child who enters my house follow.'

Extra: Travelling With Children Is Traumatic

Extra: Why Does My Toddler Hate Me???