Cutting Out Computer/TV Time

I wrote a post awhile back about our routine and schedule (I think back in April of 2012)... in it I included the kids' movie time and Josiah's computer game time. I was allowing Josiah to play computer for 30 minutes, 3 times a week. And, all of the children were watching an internet show or movie up to 60 minutes a day, 5 times per week. I'll admit, I was allowing so much computer time, because I was feeling very exhausted and sick at the time (just before my Sarcoid diagnosis). But, my kids were paying for my laziness... so last month, I changed things a bit and it has been nothing but positive.

Josiah is now allowed just 30 minutes of computer gaming (non-internet) once a week and the kids are allowed 30-60 minutes total once a week to watch either an approved episode/movie on Netflix or a movie from our bookshelf (which are all educational, since I went through them and removed several movies that were a bad influence to my kids). I may seem extreme to some (and I'm seriously considering cutting out all non-educational movies/shows/games), but I really feel that my kids act out, get lazy, and start hating any sort of "book school" or responsibilities when they are allowed to spend much time on the computer. Over the last month, I have observed my kids enjoying books more, playing together more nicely, and just generally "thinking" out loud and asking questions more often... and I can only attribute it to the less computer time. It was perfect timing, too, since we started back with school books January 8th. (I do allow some educational look-ups, games, and an occasional show/movie that corresponds with our schooling in addition to the above schedule)

 

I was at the doctor's office yesterday with Abigail and they had a poster stating how to help children be healthy... eat at least x amount of servings of fruits and veggies, limit soda/juice to 1 small cup per day, drink water when thirsty, be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day, and limit t.v./gaming to 60 minutes or less per day. Wow, it is SAD that a doctor has to put limits on t.v. or computer time for children (or tell us to feed our kids real, whole food for that matter!)!! PARENTS should be looking out for their own children and caring enough about them to recognize when they are getting too much "screen" time and not enough productive, meaningful time. If your wondering why your kids are disrespectful, lazy, having learning difficulties, or otherwise difficult... maybe you should consider a break from their entertainment/media outlets? Remember, they will most likely whine, beg, and complain for the first week or so for their electronics, so give it a good 2 weeks or more before deciding whether it's worth it. Shouldn't we, as parents, be willing to sacrifice our own free time (when the children are usually preoccupied with their games or movies) so that our children can actually interact with real live people and experience real life?? (NOT saying that all learning difficulties are because of too much screen time, but it's definitely worth looking into)

Just some food for thought today...