Right- it's the play dates that are killing us. The neighbor kids are constantly playing iPad games and my kids (7&9) feel so deprived (and left out) not to be allowed to play with them. So I am breaking our "no screens on weekday" rules for a bit whenever the gang is playing video games.

We have kids the same ages, op, and the same rule - no screens Mon - Thurs. The biggest challenge I find to the rule is weekday playdates - every kid who comes over expects to play xbox at least some of the time, and I know they do it at friends' houses when they go there after school.

In our house, for the last couple years we've imposed a no TV/no computer games rule from Monday through Friday. The sole exception is math programs, which they are allowed to do if homework is done. It works great.

We have this rule, too. We started it last year and it was the best thing we ever did. So much less fighting and negotiating in our house. If they are truly finished with homework, they can read, play a game, go in the back yard, call a grandmother to say hello, practice an instrument, etc. They find things to do. Sometimes it takes a while to get used to life without screens. Eventually they recover from that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Follow up question here. (Not OP): When your child *is* on the computer, do you make them sit in an area where the screen can be seen?

We don't and we also don't have any real limits on screen time. Both kids are HS now and are very active in sports and other school activities plus a job and girlfriend for the oldest. We made grades/homework a priority and as long as everything is done, they're free to spend time as they see fit. FWIW- both have GPAs over 3.9 and the oldest scored a 29 on the ACT, has tested out of several AP classes, and will be choosing between a couple Big Ten schools for next year. So I don't see the harm in him binging on COD or Destiny. In the big scheme of things, he's doing alright.

I just don't understand the hand-wringing over screen time. The world is evolving. We chose to evolve with it.

+1. Same here. School and family obligations first, then their time is their own.

We started this new rule last year. Zero screen time of any kind Sunday through Thursday unless it is a requirement for schoolwork. Friday and Saturday they get an hour a day UNLESS we are too busy with other activities. Like other porters, we are just too busy with sports, playing outside, reading, family games, art, etc., so it isn't really missed.

That's us, too. As long as they keep up their grades and get homework done, they can get on the computer up to 9 p.m. Then it's turned off so they get get to bed by 10 p.m. They don't watch any TV -- we have one, and they can, they just prefer the computer.

Anonymous wrote:Follow up question here. (Not OP): When your child *is* on the computer, do you make them sit in an area where the screen can be seen?

We don't and we also don't have any real limits on screen time. Both kids are HS now and are very active in sports and other school activities plus a job and girlfriend for the oldest. We made grades/homework a priority and as long as everything is done, they're free to spend time as they see fit. FWIW- both have GPAs over 3.9 and the oldest scored a 29 on the ACT, has tested out of several AP classes, and will be choosing between a couple Big Ten schools for next year. So I don't see the harm in him binging on COD or Destiny. In the big scheme of things, he's doing alright.

I just don't understand the hand-wringing over screen time. The world is evolving. We chose to evolve with it.

Anonymous wrote:Follow up question here. (Not OP): When your child *is* on the computer, do you make them sit in an area where the screen can be seen?

I don't. There's a computer in the office the kids sometimes use, but they also use iPad and such. They know I can check at any time. Sometimes I just say to DD 12 "If I asked you to hand over your phone right now and looked through your texts, is there anything I'd see that you wouldn't want me to see?" Her reaction tells me whether or not I need to check them.

Follow up question here. (Not OP): When your child *is* on the computer, do you make them sit in an area where the screen can be seen?

My kids are the same age as yours and they've never had tv access except on special occasions (presidential debates, Olympics, etc.).

As they're getting older, I let them make the case for exceptions:

- watching one episode of one show, to know what other kids are talking about, and this applies to popular Youtubers (Dancing with the Stars, Master Chef Jr, Miranda Sings, Jenna Marbles, etc.)
- watching something educational
- when they're sick

But if you're breaking your kids of a tv habit, they need to go cold turkey. If the kids don't have homework, they can play. Mine rarely ask to watch tv (once every month and a half?) because there are so many other fun things to do.

Maybe it'd help if your kids brainstorm with you to come up with a list of fun things that don't involve screens. Baking, bike riding, playground, board games, card games, art projects, science experiments, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are starting the school year with no screens (unless for homework) Mon-Thursday. If work is done and we want to watch something as a family, that is ok, but no watching in isolation. Question for those that do this (as this will be a BIG change for my 9 and 12 year old), what do you do on days they really do not have homework at all (though for the 6th grader will be rare)? I know we need to stick to our guns-- thanks for all advice.

My kids play on travel sports teams, so it kind of takes care of itself. They don't have the time! For all the knocks on the travel sports culture, this is one major attribute. Two hour practices a couple of times a week makes for less wasted screen time.

Thanks. We do a travel sport in fall and spring for the older child, and I agree with you! (OP Here)

Anonymous wrote:We are starting the school year with no screens (unless for homework) Mon-Thursday. If work is done and we want to watch something as a family, that is ok, but no watching in isolation. Question for those that do this (as this will be a BIG change for my 9 and 12 year old), what do you do on days they really do not have homework at all (though for the 6th grader will be rare)? I know we need to stick to our guns-- thanks for all advice.

My kids play on travel sports teams, so it kind of takes care of itself. They don't have the time! For all the knocks on the travel sports culture, this is one major attribute. Two hour practices a couple of times a week makes for less wasted screen time.

No homework= have them read. Or be creative. Or help with the housework. We don't allow screens until Friday after school. It's great, a lot more peace in the house.

We are starting the school year with no screens (unless for homework) Mon-Thursday. If work is done and we want to watch something as a family, that is ok, but no watching in isolation. Question for those that do this (as this will be a BIG change for my 9 and 12 year old), what do you do on days they really do not have homework at all (though for the 6th grader will be rare)? I know we need to stick to our guns-- thanks for all advice.