Be honest- how much "screen time" do your kids get per day?

[Anonymous]

I'm a former elementary school teacher and now work as a tutor. I also have 3 children, ages 14 - 21. I empathize with parents of younger children who have to contend with an environment that is totally connected 24-7. That said, I would urge you all to limit screen time as much as possible. My husband and I were really strict about this and now see it as one of the most important things we got right as parents. I realize this was easier when my children were younger, but they did complain nonetheless, especially when we visited friends and family who allowed unlimited screen time.

Starting in high school, though, the complaining stopped -- even as the number and pervasiveness of digital diversions exploded. The interesting thing is that this coincided with their starting to babysit for younger kids in the neighborhood. Our kids would come home and say, "All they want to do is watch TV or get on the computer. They don't want to go outdoors or make art or play board games or read. They're like zombies. I'm never doing that with my kids." Yes, a moment of pure parental redemption! (They have not, however, endorsed our requiring them to make their beds every day.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a former elementary school teacher and now work as a tutor. I also have 3 children, ages 14 - 21. I empathize with parents of younger children who have to contend with an environment that is totally connected 24-7. That said, I would urge you all to limit screen time as much as possible. My husband and I were really strict about this and now see it as one of the most important things we got right as parents. I realize this was easier when my children were younger, but they did complain nonetheless, especially when we visited friends and family who allowed unlimited screen time.

Starting in high school, though, the complaining stopped -- even as the number and pervasiveness of digital diversions exploded. The interesting thing is that this coincided with their starting to babysit for younger kids in the neighborhood. Our kids would come home and say, "All they want to do is watch TV or get on the computer. They don't want to go outdoors or make art or play board games or read. They're like zombies. I'm never doing that with my kids." Yes, a moment of pure parental redemption! (They have not, however, endorsed our requiring them to make their beds every day.)

That is cool! Always good to see a little redemption. My oldest had none until he was 2. It was much easier when we had only 1. Then he would have maybe 1-2 30-minute shows a day. Our #2 was born when DS was almost 4, so would see shows that his brother was watching. Same with #3.

Now, they are 5, almost 7 and 10. During the week, no TV before school. TV/computer only after homework is done. Since my 2 boys are playing baseball, there is little time during the week. Weekends, I would say 1-2 hours.

My biggest battle is with my oldest DS. All of his friends are obsessed with watching all these clips on You Tube. I have a no You Tube policy, my fear is that he will come across some random inappropriate video. Also, a friend just had an incident where her daughter had commented on a video, and started an exchange with some person who claimed to be a 14 year old boy from England.....

[Anonymous]

too much

[Anonymous]

Too much... Teenagers-- all they do is watch tv, play computer games or watch you tube. They do read stuff on the computer but it's electronics 24/7.

[Anonymous]

Since she bought herself an e-reader with her odd jobs money, way, way, way too much. It's mostly reading, but still.

[Anonymous]

I have a 4 year old and she watches tv maybe about 2-3 times a week for an hour at a time. There just isn't much time for it during the weekdays.