How do you reconcile screen time- particularly sports on TV?

[Anonymous]

DD and DS are in K and 1st. We limit screen time a lot.

DD argues that since DS likes to watch the sports shows that DH turns on, that DS is getting a ton more screen time than she is. She requests to use the ipad for the same amount of time as DS watched sports. In theory DS is merely enjoying DH's TV choice, but DD has a point. Note that I particularly dislike ipad usage because it seems like everyone stares at that little screen and comes away cranky and bitter when it's time to turn it off.

How do you handle screen time/sports/TV vs. tablet time, etc?

At a loss here.

[Anonymous]

We have a similar situation. We talk about fairness in the sense that not everyone gets exactly the same thing. the only week day screen time we allow is baseball. That's it. If she doesn't want to watch I will do something one on one with her. So she gets one-on-one attention and he gets screen time. Every once in a while they complain and point out the differences. I just keep saying it is different but still fair. They seem to go along with it.

[Anonymous]

I don't do a whole lot of screen limiting, but I don't think DD has much of a point. It's tv, not ipad, and *you* think there's a difference. Moreover, she has access to the same exact thing everyone else does because the sports is on for everyone's viewing. Also, I don't kill myself to try to make things fair to the minute between sibs because if I do they will fight to the death if someone got an extra m&m.

[Anonymous]

As a concession, while they are watching a game, could you let her watch one TV show on a different TV -- perhaps one that is approved by you?

[Anonymous]

I think I'd be on the side of saying that she's welcome to watch the sports if she wants extra screen time. Otherwise, other screens are not an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a concession, while they are watching a game, could you let her watch one TV show on a different TV -- perhaps one that is approved by you?

We only have 1 TV, so that's not an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a concession, while they are watching a game, could you let her watch one TV show on a different TV -- perhaps one that is approved by you?

We only have 1 TV, so that's not an option.

Not PP but she can watch movies and TV shows on the ipad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a concession, while they are watching a game, could you let her watch one TV show on a different TV -- perhaps one that is approved by you?

We only have 1 TV, so that's not an option.

Not PP but she can watch movies and TV shows on the ipad.

OP here. Right. That's her point. (She watches youtube kids, generally. Things about poines or something.)

[Anonymous]

With DD's theory, if each kid gets to pick a 30 minute show but DS happens to like DD's show, then DS somehow got an extra 30 minutes, so now DD gets an additional 30 minutes so it's 'fair'. If she again picks a show that her brother likes, she again is entitled to an addditional 30 minutes, etc. Your DD should be a lawyer; this is a great way to read the rules to accomplish her goal!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With DD's theory, if each kid gets to pick a 30 minute show but DS happens to like DD's show, then DS somehow got an extra 30 minutes, so now DD gets an additional 30 minutes so it's 'fair'. If she again picks a show that her brother likes, she again is entitled to an addditional 30 minutes, etc. Your DD should be a lawyer; this is a great way to read the rules to accomplish her goal!

Sorry, I didn't finish my thought. Therefore, if you want to limit things, the rules is each kid gets to pick (for whatever time you find reasonable) plus there is the sports tv that anyone is welcome to watch if interested. It is fair and it meets your goals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With DD's theory, if each kid gets to pick a 30 minute show but DS happens to like DD's show, then DS somehow got an extra 30 minutes, so now DD gets an additional 30 minutes so it's 'fair'. If she again picks a show that her brother likes, she again is entitled to an addditional 30 minutes, etc. Your DD should be a lawyer; this is a great way to read the rules to accomplish her goal!

Sorry, I didn't finish my thought. Therefore, if you want to limit things, the rules is each kid gets to pick (for whatever time you find reasonable) plus there is the sports tv that anyone is welcome to watch if interested. It is fair and it meets your goals.

I think you must know DD. She is indeed a short lawyer already! This is a good plan.

[Anonymous]

We just did screen free week. I'd like to do it once a month, not once a year. I read an article saying that screens create conflict and it's so true. Kids can't learn how to entertain themselves if something is always on.

[Anonymous]

We don't limit as long as all responsibilities are met and screen time isn't causing a problem, so there's no reconciling to be done.

[Anonymous]

watching sports on TV counts as screen time in our house. if anything we consider it to be worse because of the commercials, which are hard to skip through in live sports. I think your DD has a point - if DS is watching sports that should count against his screen time. This may mean that the adults can't want sports when they want to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a similar situation. We talk about fairness in the sense that not everyone gets exactly the same thing. the only week day screen time we allow is baseball. That's it. If she doesn't want to watch I will do something one on one with her. So she gets one-on-one attention and he gets screen time. Every once in a while they complain and point out the differences. I just keep saying it is different but still fair. They seem to go along with it.

Wow. That seems really unfair and favoring the son.