Lately, computer & TV time has become a battle in our house.
During the week when Finn has school, we have a no TV/dvd policy. It isn’t that I think TV is awful or that my child will never watch it, I am not anti-TV in the least. I just that I notice he functions better when we don’t have it on. When the TV isn’t on, he’s playing and doing things and doesn’t even miss it.
The problem comes when he does get TV time and it’s time to turn it off.
I think it’s quite possibly the most assinine thing in the entire world to have a tantrum over TV. But it happens and when it does, I am irritated that we even let him watch in the first place.
The computer is usually not as bad, but we still have a time or two when he doesn’t want to put it down.
After reading a post from Ashley at Little Blue Boo, I’ve decided to implement the computer and TV time money. Then it becomes his {earned} responsibility each day and he has a tangible reminder of his time.
Here is the issue, I have no idea how much TV or computer time I should be allowing in the first place. It will obviously depend on the day because Monday through Thursday he won’t have any TV time, but on weekends? And what about computer time?
Finn is four and a half, but I’m interested in finding out what other parents do even if your children are older or younger.
What are the TV and computer rules in your house?
My 8 year old is crazy about the TV, and I am a parent that has it on so I can get some stuff done. Recently though, I have only let them watch 30 minutes when they get home from school to eat a snack and relax. Then it is homework and chores. I am the one that abuses the computer.
ReplyDeleteMy brothers are 4 and 8 and they watch a lot of TV so I have no new ideas for you. I think that since they have sort of free choice they've become good at self- regulating.
ReplyDeleteMy mom's only rule is they have to get their obligations done before they can watch. So shoes and backpacks all need to be neatly put away, homework and whatever reading or instrument practice needs to be done first and we all eat dinner together before the TV goes on.
I think the money idea sounds good though- then Finn can choose when to spend his time and feel that he's making his own decisions.
Marc and I have been talking about this because of this article that basically says no screentime before 2.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/health/19babies.html?_r=1&hp
She's 19 months and up until about 2 months ago we never let her watch tv. Not even on in the background (which I hate anyway). Now she gets about 20 minutes a day max of sesame street, maurice sendak's really Rosie or the documentary Babies. We are debating cutting it back to zero again. Thing is, we never plop her in front of it and walk out of the room (even though omg it is tempting!). I think that is the big difference. We are always half watching and half talking about it which I think is great for her. She already sings abc, can count to 10 and knows 4 colors.
That's just my 2 cents. I think if you use it as a learning tool, not a babysitter for the really young ones it isn't so bad.
And does he ever take his spiderman suit off?? So cute!
ReplyDeleteWe are fighting that battle right now. Allison is 2 1/2 and ADDICTED to Dora. And Diego. And Elmo. And Sid the Science Kid. But since I'm not the one that's home with her all day, I don't really have much control over her tv time. And Daddy tends to rely on it a lot.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great idea! While I don't have any kids of my own, I do think the money is a great idea. Perhaps start out with less time/dollar (or however you want to put it) that way you can build up if it might be too little? Then, I doubt if he'll notice getting two 5 min vouchers where he used to get one. Does this make sense?? lol
ReplyDeleteI think I watched way too much TV as a kid, but I grew up to love to watch things like the History channel. Pretty much my dad had control of the remote so it was either the history channel, news, or something of the like when he was home.
Like I said, this is a great idea! It will teach responsibility at a good age, I think. :)
We have way too much tv time actually. We have been actively trying to cut it down, but with a baby, a job and exhaustion, it's just easier. No excuses. But at night she maybe watches 1 hour between getting home, playing, dinner and bathing. Weekends...well let's just say she likes the ipad.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely something to think about.
Our big guy Tyler (almost 3 1/2) is the same! He loooves TV but then when we turn it off, he throws a fit. Our policy is basically now no TV during the day and he gets an hour or so in the evening when I am making dinner and after dinner. This is a reduction from what he used to get but it's the only thing that seems to work. He still cries sometimes when we turn it off at night to go to bed. I really really try to minimize computer/iPad time. I just don't think it's good for him? My husband is an electronics freak so we have every gadget imaginable and 4 TVs in the house. It's basically a constant battle so I'm not sure I have a good solution except that we get better behavior from him overall when we reduce or eliminate TV entirely.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!