We have a deal with my less motivated student - something productive, help with family stuff, outside exercise time and then free for screen time. It isn't perfect but at least i know the stuff i care about is getting done...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since school is starting back up on April 14th, we've told them they can continue to have access whenever they'd like until then, and then it's back to more reduced time so they can attend the class sessions and finish work. And have a decent normal sleep schedule, LOL. Our older one also will have 2 AP exams so already is studying for that in the midst of the fun screen time anyway. Haven't figured out about summer yet, will see what's happening at that point.

Where is school starting back up on April 14 at?

It is still virtual/remote. But Fairfax and Loudoun are both supposedly introducing new material after this week which is their “spring break.” (Don’t even get me started.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since school is starting back up on April 14th, we've told them they can continue to have access whenever they'd like until then, and then it's back to more reduced time so they can attend the class sessions and finish work. And have a decent normal sleep schedule, LOL. Our older one also will have 2 AP exams so already is studying for that in the midst of the fun screen time anyway. Haven't figured out about summer yet, will see what's happening at that point.

Where is school starting back up on April 14 at?

FCPS for new material (rather than just review stuff)

Anonymous wrote:Since school is starting back up on April 14th, we've told them they can continue to have access whenever they'd like until then, and then it's back to more reduced time so they can attend the class sessions and finish work. And have a decent normal sleep schedule, LOL. Our older one also will have 2 AP exams so already is studying for that in the midst of the fun screen time anyway. Haven't figured out about summer yet, will see what's happening at that point.

Where is school starting back up on April 14 at?

Every other hour.

21:29 here. They go jogging and work on soccer skills. They play tennis and shoot baskets. Hikes and bike rides. One is going through my old P90X videos. They are working on puzzles. I have been making them sort old lego sets back into their original groups. I have been making them do laundry and participate in cooking. I have been making them clean the house and do yard work. We've been playing and learning a lot of new card games. And the big one is that I've been making them do schoolwork for about 3 hours a day (Khan Academy, Rosetta Stone, reading books, solpass for the middle schooler, more reading for the high schooler). Luckily, they are very compliant kids who already loved sports and card games.

21:29 and 22:05 -- what do your boys do the rest of the day?

Recreational screen time in my house is strictly controlled, and will always be. Teen is 15. He has AP exams, lots of homework, and knows what the rules are.

I am concerned that most everyone seems to say that teens should have unlimited access to screens during this time. I just can't allow my kids to do that (I have 14 and 15 year old boys). I feel like they would just play video games and watch youtube all day long. I've told my two that they can have 2 hours a day and that is it. Luckily, my husband and I are both working from home, so it is easier for us to monitor.

Since school is starting back up on April 14th, we've told them they can continue to have access whenever they'd like until then, and then it's back to more reduced time so they can attend the class sessions and finish work. And have a decent normal sleep schedule, LOL. Our older one also will have 2 AP exams so already is studying for that in the midst of the fun screen time anyway. Haven't figured out about summer yet, will see what's happening at that point.

And by a few hours, do you have designated hours?

I've been letting my kids have unlimited screens but seeing as this is likely to go on for a long time, I'm wondering how to get back to a more healthy screen strategy. How are you all handling it? Every other day? A few hours a day? What works?