Tips on Easing the Screen Time Battle

Screen time has become a major issue in our house and I have been looking into some ways to help ease the stress that it brings with it.  We have an almost 12 year old, a 4 year old and a 19 month old, and it is effecting EVERYONE.  

• The 12 year old has his own iPod, which he thinks he is able to just carry around all day (even to school, mind you my husband is a principal) and use whenever he thinks he needs to, which is every minute of every day.  He also is old enough to turn the TV on or his XBox on, also at any given time.  
• My 4 year old has limited time on his Kindle and with him being in preschool, he has gotten much better about the screen time use.  
• It has come to the point, with my 19 month old, that my phone needs to be up and out of sight, or else she likes to throw a crazy fit about having it!   

So, those are the situations with each of my kids.  The TV isn’t even that big of a factor anymore to my kids.  They watch their usual shows but when I turn the TV off, they are fine and can go about playing and finding something else to do.  In our family’s case, we need to have some rules in place for each child because of the age differences that are appropriate for them.  

Here are some ideas that I’ll be implementing in our house:

• Set a timer- If one of the kids asks to use screen time or watch a show, set the kitchen timer or allow them to watch one 30 minute show, and then make it their responsibility to turn it off.  If they do not follow those directions, there can be consequences (in my house, anyways).
• Use a tracking system- Keep track of screen time used each day by each child.  Have a jar for each child with popsicle sticks in it that have an amount of screen time written on it. Each time they use their screen time, they must forfeit their popsicle stick to keep track of what is used.   
• Offer a reward system-  If the kids have a good behavior day or whatever your house thinks is deserving, offer them additional minutes of screen time for the day.  Also, having the kids do age appropriate chores can be a way that the kids can earn extra screen time.
• Set boundaries- A pet peeve of mine is when TVs/iPods/XBox are turned on without asking permission.  So, setting boundaries in our house will be a top priority.  
  • The child must ASK  to use their screen time.
  • The child must have all homework done for the day before their screen time can be used.
  • Bedrooms must be picked up before screen time can be used.
  • They must have also had some sort of physical activity and done some reading before the screen time can be used.
• Setting a good example- My husband and I have become more aware that we aren’t setting the best example when we have our phones out, all day, everyday.  We have agreed to be more consistent with putting the phones away when the kids are around.  I know this can be difficult but it is so helpful and so IMPORTANT to not miss quality time with our children.

Technology is around us all the time, so I feel that this is a difficult topic.  Don’t get me wrong, I love how amazing technology can be and I love the positive things that come with it.  I also know that there are many negatives that come with the technology and the amount of screen time that kids (and adults) should have.  These are just some ideas that I have found and I thought were appropriate for most ages.  They can be manipulated to fit different children and you can input your own ideas that will work for your family!

Does anyone have some great ideas that work for their families and limited the screen time, without starting a war?!?! I would love to hear!