no-tv rule backfired
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Anonymous
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yesterday when 8-yo DS sneaks out of bed in the wee hours to watch his DVDs in the basement. i have every reason to believe this is not the first time even thought he never got caught.
our 'rule' is no tv/screen during the week, and no more than 1-hr total in weekends, most weekends we went without turning on tv at all. at times i just rejected his request for some made-up excuse, and he usually didn't argue. so basically we don't have any rule, it's case-by-case, and when we do allow it it's more of an exception than norm. i did not punish him for the first offense. but now i'm thinking i should make it clear that i'll give him an hour every weekend and honor it and make it clear that's the rule, and expect him to honor it. then if he violates it he'll see consequences. he's 8 after all. what do you think? |
Anonymous
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You should have punished for the first offense. He knows the "rule", even if you waren't willing to call it a rule.
I would take the DVD out of the basement and put it in my room. He's 8 after all -- breaking the rules is his job right now. |
Anonymous
| I hate to tell you this but I believe the no screen time as he gets older will become even more of a power struggle. I totally understand where you are coming from but I bet as he gets older and his friends talk about whatever show he will want to feel like part of the convo. I know it's stupid and it goes back to the whole thing "if everyone is jumping..." but I never think the very strict screen time stuff works. |
Anonymous
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VIOLATES the rule. PUNISH him. WTF?
OP sounds like a prison warden. What a bitch! |
Anonymous
LOL! I hope this is DCUM satire, because as such it's pitch perfect. |
Anonymous
| My child is 7. We have no screen time Monday - Thursday but she can watch as much as she wants Friday - Sunday. It usually doesn't end up being much though because we are out and about so much. |
Anonymous
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Why not let the kid have 1/2 hr. of tv during the weekdays? And why just an hour on the weekends? TV is one of the joys of an 8 yr old's life (and mine too!). All things in moderation.
TV in limited amounts (IMO, less than 2 hrs per day on the weekdays) is no big deal. I don't let my kids watch 2 hrs per weekday, but that would be my max as a general rule for kids. I think 30 min. to an hour is fine for my own kids. Since they get to have tv when homework is done, they don't even notice on days when they haven't had any tv b/c they are too busy with other things. OP, I think you have made it too tempting! |
Anonymous
| The kid gets only ONE hour per week total? I'm all for limiting screen time, but can't the poor kid have at least two hours? |
Anonymous
This is our house. And we spent time out, playing family board games (a couple each weekend, DCs are 7 & 9 and they pick the games) and screen time is usually in the evening while we're winding down. They don't feel the need to sneak it and don't really want it much. |
Anonymous
Are these kids in extended day? My kids are home at 3:40. Bath is 8pm. Bed 8:30. I let them watch 2 shows per night. 50 min total. I have: Kindergartner (no homework yet) and 4yr old brother. By 4:45 we are done with tv and onto regular play.. Outside in good weather, practices during sports season, etc. This is an hour less than what ped. Association says is ok. I thought I was doing good... I almost think a little each day is better than 24/7 for 4 days in a row. |
Anonymous
| Yup. All the no TV kids come to places like our house where screen time is not limited as long as your work and chores are done. They are GLUED to the screen. I could be watching a show about building an ant farm and these kids will sit slack jawed in front of the TV. It is hilarious. Their mothers' reactions are even funnier. |
Anonymous
Family board games yay! Your house sounds like a blast. |
Anonymous
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"This is our house. And we spent time out, playing family board games"
Kill.me.now.Please. |
Anonymous
This is what we do, too. TV is a privilege and not a right in our house. They can watch Fri-Sun after they've done other, required things (chores, school projects). |
Anonymous
Second PP and no, my DCs are not in extended day. They do play sports after school some days, but not all. They come home, have snack, focus on HW, then dinner, then showers, then bed. TV and video games aren't allowed during the week. If there's time, they're reading books. Right now they each have one that has me in on "flashlight patrol" so I know they're getting enough sleep. They aren't running for the TV anyway. It's no big deal in our house. I guess it's just what you make it. |