What are your views on children and media: specifically television, Internet and video games? When should it be allowed? How much should be allowed? How can it be monitored?
I'm having a difficult time with this one personally. My oldest is 7, and will zone into the television or video games for hours upon hours if we let him. He will choose to stay home from the store, or the activity we're doing that day because he's so invested in the television. The days I'm home with him, I've started by giving him a limit: 30 mins, then he has to go do something else for at least an hour. This has helped because he and his little sister have gotten to the point where they love going out into the yard and playing ball, or chasing the puppy, or whatever. I'm hoping this is a turning point, but am not sure. We don't allow television or video games before homework is done -- for my son or his little sister (got to be fair at this age!)
I do, however, really like the educational links provided on my son's school website. The games are nice there because they have an educational focus, and they get my kids more practice with the mouse and/or keyboard, which they don't have a lot of already. If my kids ask for computer time, I try to give it to them while I'm near by, mainly because they still need help with certain parts of the manipulation.
My daughter is the opposite -- television and video games don't hold her attention, she's always interested in EVERYTHING and has a very positive attitude. I'm thankful that I don't see the trends in her that I saw in my son at this age. I want to reverse the trends now, before it gets even harder when they're older.
The other thing we do utilize are the ratings on the cartoons. These have proven pretty important, especially with the four year old watching some of her older brother's cartoons at times. I have to stress with my son that the rating has to be appropriate. Once we caught him watching a show rated for 7 and above with his sister -- the television was turned off for the rest of the night.
Recently I've also made a concerted effort to do more activities as a family. We instituted a "game night" every Saturday and have marathon session of Uno Spin. We all laugh and have a great time. It's one of the best decisions I've made as a mom!
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I like how you brought up the appropriateness of shows with your age range of kids...I agree totally. What might be ok for my 10 year is NOT for my 5 year old, so consequently I have a 10 year old who resorts to watching Blue's Clues and actually enjoys it because the alternative is no tv.
ReplyDeleteJust from what you wrote it already is evident that boys are different than girls and moderation is the key! Having too much of something is not healthy as is not enough. I think it will be fine and starting good habits now is key to having good habits later on in life.
ReplyDeleteOne of my twins doesn't like to go to the store because he might miss "good shows". This is one of the reasons we canceled our cable. You also make a great point about the ratings of cartoons. My 9 year old twins will try to watch cartoons that are way to much for my 4 year old daughter to see.
ReplyDeleteMy 3 year old has learned how to use the remote for the television and will watch tv in the morning while my husband and I are sleeping. I have to hide the remote and make sure that I leave the tv on a channel with shows appropriate for her age. We limit her viewing time and what shows she can watch based on her age and the fact that sometimes her younger sister likes to watch tv with her.
ReplyDeleteI liked that you said that you have a game night with your kids. My husband and I are planning on starting a game night where everything in the house is quiet and we are spending time together as a family. Right now we all go for walks together after dinner so that we can relax for bedtime.
Although Ive heard that some people actually watch the shows their children watch for approval, I agree that a shows ratings can be very helpful.
ReplyDeleteAlso, game nights are a great idea. It's a fun and relaxing way to be an involved parent.