I've found that my boys will not go out and be active if they have a choice between screen and activity. And really, there just aren't enough hours in the day for everything.

So, get homework done, eat, exercise, shower every so often . If there's time for electronics, fine. But that is rarely the case. And typically, they'd rather be playing with their Magic cards anyways.

Like a previous poster, I see a major difference in how they behave when they have a lot electronics going on than when they don't. I like their non-electronic personalities far better.

Anonymous wrote:Why is it so important to restrict all tv from Sun-Fri? If a child meets all their responsibilities school and otherwise, why isn't it okay to let them chill with a 30 minute show on demand with no commercials. Are the parents doing this as well? I know sometimes I just want to relax and watch a show.

And if you're wondering, mine watch maybe one show a day. But I just don't see why to totally ban it, and am curious.

In your case, it sounds like there's no compelling reason to restrict TV for your child!

My children do NOT meet all their responsibilities if they have the option of TV watching (actually, TV isn't the problem - computer game playing is the big time suck for my kids).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^PP here. I have boys, and it is my opinion (and I think that research supports this) that screens are particularly addictive for boys. Moreover, my boys have some attention issues (possibly ADD, which is rampant among their cousins, but mine do not have a dx). I have noticed that the more they watch/play, the more they want, and the more badly-behaved they are when they are done.

I have no interest in dealing with that cycle on a routine basis, if I can avoid it.

What this poster said.

I also just really hate the constant noise and flickering light. I like music playing, but constant dialogue grates on my nerves. And the voices on most kid's shows are awful, so many are whiny and shrill, it drives me up the wall. I can't do talk radio either, even NPR gets irritating after about 30min. The light from the TV gives me a headache as well. I can do a 2hr movie, but that's my limit.

I'm hoping to keep video games out of the house for as long as possible. DS is 3.5yo right now and we don't have cable or Netflix or anything, just a small TV for his Mighty Machines DVDs and Disney VHS (yes, VHS. They're $1 at Goodwill!). I have a computer, but no smartphone, iPod, iPad or anything like that and he's only allowed on the computer if I'm right there with him. I'd rather he play with trains or color than be sitting and looking at a screen.

Ditto! We sound like two peas in a pod!

Congratulations to the Luddites.

My kids rely on the computer so much for communication with their friends that I feel like a no screen time monday through friday rule is cruel.

Anonymous wrote:My child is well-behaved when there is no tv during the week, but she focuses on the tv if it is even an option, everything else (homework, reading, communicating, getting to bed, etc.) takes a backseat to potential tv watching. This is the exact opposite of what I want her priorities to be, so she gets no tv during the week. In limiting hers, I have ended up limiting mine somewhat as well (nobody is allowed to have tv while she is awake), and it has been a real benefit to me as well.

Ditto. We have a no screen time on weekdays rule (with exceptions for research. Te computer if required for homework and minor s. tuff like looking up an address on the Internet). My kids just seem more cheerful and are better behaved when they have less screen-time. For them, at least, the screen is too addictive.... My kids + screen time= whining, squabbling, and sulking. My kids without screen time are delightful, funny, happy and cooperative. No contest....

10:13 here. Don't get me wrong, DS gets screen time. When I have to make dinner or get some work done, I'm okay with putting on 101 Dalmations or letting him watch 3 episodes of Word World. Sometimes I NEED him to sit quietly by himself for a while.
But I do try and reserve those times for when I really need the break (I'm single, so breaks are few and far between). He gets 1hr/day right now and I'm hoping to cut that down once we get settled into our new routine (we just moved and he's starting PS3 in a few weeks).
And I'm anti-screen time for myself too. When I'm home and DS is awake, my computer is off (unless I have work that needs to be done ASAP). I'm hoping to get a smartphone around Xmas, but the same rules will apply then: when I'm with DS, the phone will be set down in another room. It drives me up the wall to be with my siblings and see them on their phones constantly, you can't hold a decent conversation because of the interruptions.