A Handy Tool for Keeping Screen Time Under Control

With five kids between the ages of 3-16, it can be very challenging to monitor and asses appropriate screen time use for the various ages and needs of my family. Obviously, with a toddler and teenager under the same roof, a one-size-fits-all-approach won't work. It's something we have to constantly monitor and reevaluate and also requires a great deal of diligence on Mom and Dad's part to keep screen time use to a minimum. It's not easy. And we certainly are not as successful as we would like to be, but we feel it's one of the most important things we can do for our children. Why place such importance on limiting your child's (and teen's) screen time? Here are a few important reasons why:

​In addition to the negative academic and physical effects, too much screen time can be detrimental to our children's character and spiritual development. Our children need to be taught how to be good stewards of the time and talents God has given them. I have told my children from a very young age, that they were not created to sit around on their "duffs" staring at a screen and pleasing themselves. There is too much work, play and adventure waiting to be lived! An expression I often use with my children (and one they will probably engrave on my tombstone) is: Find something worthwhile to do with your time! I have noticed that the more my children sit around and watch television or use electronics, the more they complain about being tired or bored and the more they fight and argue among themselves. However, by contrast, the more they are actively engaged in a worthwhile activity such as work, outdoor play, serving others, building and crafting, the happier they seem to be. As Newton's Law states: A body in motion wants to stay in motion and a body at rest wants to stay at rest.

Limiting your child's screen time is not easy. This is especially so if you have not previously monitored your child's screen habits. You have to be tough, resolved and immune to their pleas and whining. Even if your family has been careful with screen time, it's so easy to let your guard down in busy or stressful seasons. Of course, there is grace aplenty for our weakness and inconsistencies as parents. It's not necessary to be perfect, but we must be diligent to keep evaluating our families' habits. And when we recognized that we have become "sloppy" and we don't like the effect on our children, we must have the resolve to begin again. Thankfully, I have some very handy tools to make this task easier that I would like to share with you today! 

First of all, our children need to understand that screen time is a privilege, not a right. Screen time can be fun and harmless when taken in moderate doses. Think of screen time as sweets. A little sweet each day or every other day won't hurt your child and is something to be enjoyed. But would any of us allow our children unlimited access to sweets? Why? Because our children lack the control and discipline to self-regulate impulses to a healthy dose. Screen time is no different. 

Secondly, you have to be prepared to offer your child alternatives to screen time. This is a must if you are trying to retrain bad habits.  If you find yourself in a place where you realize that your child has been using way too much screen time or is even addicted, please understand: Your child WILL experience withdrawal. There will be whining, pleading, crying and begging. You may have to give up some of your own free time in the beginning to show your child other ways they can entertain themselves (such as reading aloud to them or working a puzzle). My children have never been allowed unrestricted access to screen time, but my boys still have trouble in the long winter months entertaining themselves. A few years ago, I created a poster that I hung up with ideas for my children to look at if they were bored. Some ideas include: 

• working a puzzle
• coloring, painting or other art
• learning a new hobby such as whittling
• learning a foreign language 
• reading a book
• playing a board game
• practicing musical instruments

My poster is almost two pages long! (Maybe I'll create a printable.) If my children are still complaining about being bored after looking over the list.......well, there is always laundry to fold! Another idea for being prepared is to keep a small activity bag in your purse or car for doctor appointments or other times when you may be tempted to give in to screen time pleading.  Some of my favorite items to include would be:

• books 
• travel games
• card deck
• notepad/pencil
• silly putty
• flashcards

Speaking of car rides, there is no greater tool a mother can have to combat boredom and screen time than radio dramas! Some of our favorites include: Hank the Cowdog, Lamplighter Theater, Focus on the Family and The Adventures of G.A. Henty. I can't recommend these highly enough! 

Finally, your family must set clear boundaries for screen time. For example, in our family it is understood that there are to be absolutely no electronics during mealtimes. This goes for the whole family. Also,our children know exactly how much screen time they are allowed to use every day. They never ask for more because they know where our family boundaries are and those boundaries do not change. ​Please understand that I am not advocating that these are the standards you adopt for your own family. I am simply demonstrating how easy it can be to enforce screen time limits when there are clearly defined boundaries set in place. Your family will have to prayerfully consider what boundaries are appropriate for your home. To help keep your children accountable for their screen time use, I am sharing a printable with you that I have used in my own home for several years now with great success. I hope it is a blessing to you!

Click on the image below to print the Weekly Screen Time chart. 

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links which means Sisters With a System will get a small percentage if you purchase through our link. That said, please know that we will NEVER recommend anything unless we like and use it!! Thank you!

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