Screen time can be a useful tool if it is used by us with self-control and caution. Children are especially vulnerable to becoming dependent on the entertainment (numbing of the senses) and stimuli that come from using a screen a lot.
At one point in our life, I was allowing my oldest to play computer games almost every day. All of the children were watching an internet show (Netflix, RightNow Media, SmartKidz Media) or a movie for up to 60 minutes a day, 5 times per week. Yikes!
I’ll admit, I was allowing so much computer time because I was feeling very exhausted and sick at the time (just before my Sarcoidosis diagnosis). But, my kids were paying for my laziness… so, I changed things a bit and it has been nothing but positive.
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Less Screen Time
Now, several years since that very lenient time in our lives in regards to screen time – my kids are now allowed just one session of screen time each month, and it is usually a non-internet-based activity. They do watch DVDs we own – which are mostly educational – a few times each month. This all takes place during our monthly week-long break from homeschooling.
I may seem extreme to some, but 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. I know that I do the same if I spend much time scrolling or watching online content.
With less screen time, I have observed my kids enjoying books more, being more active outside, playing together more nicely, building stuff with their hands, and just generally “thinking” out loud and asking questions more often. I can only attribute it to less computer time.
I do allow educational look-ups, games, and an occasional show/movie that corresponds with our schooling in addition to the above schedule. But I am more intentional with my kids’ screen time.
Parenting Resources
Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study With the Gentle Art of Learning : A Story for Mother Culture
Lessons at Blackberry Inn: Adventures with the Gentle Art of Learning (TM)
Michael’s Gentle Wife: A Family Love Story (Mother Culture® Comfort Read)
Mother Culture ®: For a Happy Homeschool
A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning
Beautiful Girlhood
Story Starters: Helping Children Write Like They’ve Never Written Before
Grace For The Season
I know that our schedule changes and so does our kids’ screen time, based on our life circumstances and season. When we have a lot of extra medical stuff to deal with or are taking our summer break from homeschooling, then we tend to allow more screen time.
Usually, the screen time they end up doing is going to the Adventures in Odyssey website to listen to their audio stories. My children will choose to play Age of Empires, edit photos, type a story they are writing by hand during the rest of the month, or make home videos with their individual screen time.
This is just what my husband and I have decided for various reasons. Decide what makes sense for YOUR family!
To be honest, I often forget what our rules are, so I need to write them out and tack them up for my kids and myself to see. It cuts down on the kids asking, begging, and whining for screen time because they can see exactly what the rules are.
After sticking with the same schedule for a few years now, we all know what they are. It is normal for my children to go weeks without screen time (other than school for my children in 8th grade and above – Teaching Textbooks math) – and they do not even miss it.
Parents, It’s Up To You!
I was at the doctor’s office with my oldest daughter 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 TV 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.
Trust yourself, mom/dad, YOU know what is best for your child!
Food For Thought
If you’re wondering why your kids are disrespectful, lazy, having learning difficulties, bored, 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 about their electronics, so give it a good 3 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 interact with real people and experience real life?? I’m preaching to myself here!
NOT saying that all learning difficulties are because of too much screen time, but it’s worth looking into.
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I totally agree! I only see good from limiting computer, game, or screen time. Though we must be reasonable since they do need to know how to use a computer in this fast pace world. And there is a place for the internet in homeschooling.
That's why I still allow educational use of the computer and do plan to add in a typing program sometime this year as well. :o)
I like your idea..I very much agree with you. We (Leon and I) will be discussing our movie/computer times and seeing where we can all do better. Thanks for sharing!
Agree!
I totally agree. I did this months ago and it only took my kids 1 week to stop asking. I has the same thought of me being more available to them. We both love the change. Its amazing!!
Love this! Thank you so much for offering personal and practical insights on this topic, Mrs. West!