How to get out-of-control screen time in check?
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Anonymous
| This is a problem facing many of us. I began the pandemic with strict limitations on screen time. Now with screens needed for school and socializing, it’s gotten out of control. Has anyone tried to put the genie back in the bottle? I know it’s going to be a real struggle and I’m debating about how to do it. I’m thinking about gradual implementation of limits as new opportunities open up that take place of screens (pool, swim team etc). What are others thinking/doing about this issue? |
Anonymous
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OP, when you read the many simlar posts you also see the fields of fallen parents.. FIELDS!...
Remember: 1. You are going into a WAR, forget a battle.. 
2. Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. 
3. Strategize. 
War cost money, don't spare any expense! Don't go into a tank fight with a wet noodle... Kids are smart, intimidating and take no prisoners comes to screens and why would they, you gave them fix, you hooked then and now you just want to take away a machine that generate high with sheer touching .. and the extasy is ENDLESS.. who would give this away who in their right mind? and at least who would give it away without a fight!!!! Kids share tips how to "override" all things you "ride" on them. Unless you lock this stuff in the safe overnight and for any other time of they day, very good luck to you and yours. Also getting to this point when they give it to you.. ha ha ha... many tried and are still bleeding mentally hahahahha... okay, you have been warn. Drop this image out of your head... most parents think this is going to be so super easy kind of like this.. to cut the "phone crack" down but nope.. 
This is where you start: 
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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LOVE this, PP.
We're in the same place, OP. We're back to banning tv during the week or after dinner screens except for reading on the Kindle. We set up a virtual school in the dining room so that screens aren't in the bedrooms. |
Anonymous
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PP, that was the best.
Anyway, what we do is plan other activities, like going to the gym, hiking, playing ping pong, etc.. I have tried to introduce my kids to hobbies and so many other things. But, the only thing that really works is if I drag them into an activity. Even baking isn't working anymore. Despite a ton of effort, the screen is still winning in our house. Our newest weapon is longer and warmer days. |
Anonymous
| Thank you PP!! I admit my limitations and am not yet ready for this epic battle. |
Anonymous
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We are outgunned (what?)
Outmanned (what?) Outnumbered Outplanned (buck, buck, buck, buck, buck) We gotta make an all out stand Ayo, I'm gonna need a right-hand man (buck, buck, buck, buck, buck) Incoming They're battering down the Battery check the damages Rah We gotta stop 'em and rob 'em of their advantages Rah Let's take a stand with the stamina God has granted us Hamilton won't abandon ship Yo, let's steal their cannons Shh-boom |
Anonymous
| My husband is to blame and to be called stupid. He gave our two kids iPods without my approval. |
Anonymous
| I use our Xfinity app to shut off devices at night. |
Anonymous
Yes.. this is how it starts in many homes.. you do the easy part.. give them a birth or two or three.. and them.. they give them phone.. cause this is difficult. And now back at you.. you fight with them, you are BAAAAAAAAAAAd mother.. but daddy is goooooooooooooo daddy. Daddy gives. mama takes away. Baaaaaaaaaaad mama..
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Anonymous
Ask veteran parents.. you have no idea how fare they can go unless you won't take the junk actually away from them. .. your kids must be young and not very clever yet... |
Anonymous
Hahahaha.... |
Anonymous
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Okay this one is reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally dirty one, comes from a very old parent who shared this with me on something entirely else when I was complaining about "kids these days.. and phones.."
He said.. "First you need to provoke them into fight, or wait patiently until they get into deep doo doo".. "then.. use this as a reason to completly take away all privileges" Half of the game done. Now be smart about making them earn back inch by inch from scratch like they never had it. Give very little in exchange for a lot so they will have to start appreciating what they have, learn to be nice and control their urges. Make strict rules and new contract and start over. Have to have a set of rules and set of consequences. Let them trip few times and show who's your daddy.. back to square one. and start over. You need to regain the grounds, reinstate the authority and squash the rebel spirit" Every time I think about that conversation I can not stop laughing. They raised many kids and grand kids and were loved super well so maybe there is something in this wisdom? But it takes guts, and strength and we are all so tired.. soooooooooo tire that sometimes towing at them 50 bucks to stop using the screen for a day seems like so much less work.. just kidding hahahaha
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Anonymous
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Outside of staring at a screen for school, how much "fun" screen time are we talking Op?
For us, it's all in moderation. They go outside, bike, shoot hoops, get chores done, etc and then they can plop down on the couch and get their screen fix. I give them autonomy, but expect respect in return. I also remind them their phones are a privilege, but I also understand that is how kids socialize - when we grew up we took the kitchen telephone down the hallway (with the super long phone cord)and chatted for hours until our parents yelled at us we were on the phone too long and Aunt Tilly is probably trying to call. We have a no screens before bed in our house. It’s a hard non negotiatsbole rule we had from the start. And phones are placed in the kitchen at the end of the day. |
Anonymous
ugh.. what happened to my baby...  I could control ANYHTING and everything then!..
I could TURNED THE WATER OFF and tell them that the lake dried up.. Yeah.. those days are gone.. sooo easy.. and we all complained.. remember?.. ugh.. 
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