Screen time rules for kids.
A phrase that I never thought that I would be saying as a Mom, let alone typing.
But, here we are in the midst of not only the 21st century, but a world-wide pandemic that has had everyone across the globe reaching for screens more often than before.
And as homeschooling, multi-business owning Mom of 4, I personally have felt the need of screen time rules for kids even more than ever.
When I first became a Mom, I DECIDED that I wanted to limit my children’s screen time.
I had read studies about childhood development and how watching TV before a certain age was bad for their brain growth, so I knew I wanted to prolong that as long as I could.
I made it about 1 year before I really let my firstborn watch any TV. At that point, it was only baby development shows like Baby Einstein.
But all those good intentions went off the rail when I had baby number 2. Then again with baby number 3.
It’s funny how we vow to never do something, and then all of those well-made intentions come to a screeching halt when we are actually thrown into a situation where it calls for a different method.
In this case, it was allowing my kids more screen time that I had initially intended for as a Mom.
But, even still, I knew that it needed order at least. I wasn’t going to allow my kids to kick back and become engrossed in TV and video games without first learning that it’s a privilege.
As a toddler, the requirements to have screen time were to take a nap, pick up toys, and anything that I could persuade them to do that didn’t result in a fit.
As they got older, more and more responsibilities were a requirement for more screen time. Things like keeping the house clean and earning extra time by doing extra chores.
It makes everything easier when you have already set the expectations ahead of time & lay out the ground rules for all to follow.
This rewards system for kids keeps everything organized and easy-to-follow.
So now, 4 kids later, I finally have come up with a set of 5 screen time rules for kids that actually work (and even creates bliss in the home).
Screen time Rule #1: Complete ALL school work
As a homeschooling family, it’s so easy to let school work slide, especially on days when we just don’t want to do school.
It would be MUCH EASIER if I just let the kids plop down in front of the TV all day and have them ignore their chores and school work, but here we are.
Since my kids are homeschooled, the TV is all the more tempting, which is why this is rule #1 on the list.
Not done with school? No screens. It’s as simple as that.
If you’re kids aren’t homeschooled, you can easily convert this rule into a homework rule. If your kids have homework for that evening or for a weekend project, make it a requirement for them to finish it BEFORE any screens. This includes TV, video games, phone, tablet, etc.
I don’t know about you, but my kids are always extra motivated to do their work when they have something to look forward to when they finish.
Screen Time rule #2: Read for 30 minutes
Now, this rule isn’t a problem for the majority of my kids, just one. It’s like pulling teeth to get him to read, so I made sure to add this to the screen time rules list.
This rule is an absolute MUST, especially in the summer when they aren’t reading for school. I make sure that we have plenty of entertaining AND educational books to read to make this time enjoyable – even for the one that doesn’t prefer reading.
As an added bonus, I have noticed that this rule has brought more leisurely reading time into his life too.
Screen time rule #3: bedrooms must be clean
I don’t know about you, but whenever I think about young teenagers spending time on screens I picture them sitting atop a mountain of dirty clothes, dishes piled on the floor, and a stale stentch that fills the stuffy air.
I knew when I become a boy Mom, I would NOT allow those kind of perceptions to become reality. This is why it has become a household screen time rule for my kids.
Clean bedrooms means that their beds are made, their clothes put away, books on shelves, and toys back where they belong.
Once their bedroom passes inspection, they are one step closer to their beloved screen time.
Screen time rule #4: Exercise for 30 minutes
Growing up, I was a pretty active kid.
I was involved in sports all year-round and I spent just about every waking hour playing outside – weather permitting.
Riding bikes, climbing trees, and overall just exploring was how I grew up. I was lucky enough to live on property that allowed for me to stretch my legs a bit and stay active, but I knew I wanted my kids to grow up the same.
30 minutes of exercise BEFORE any screen time is the most important rule in my book. As a former active kid, I think a lot of my work ethic and health came from the fact that I was always active, and I want that to unfold for my kids as well.
Overall, 30 minutes of exercise each day isn’t really that much.
Pushups, jumping rope, scooters, throwing ball, you name it. Anything from riding bikes to racing each other in the backyard is a green light in my book.
I just don’t want my kids to miss out on their active levels while they are young.
Screen time rule #5: MUST do a house chore
I said it once and I’ll say it again, there won’t be any lazies in my house.
In our home, we are a TEAM and I make sure to both treat my kids like teammates and expect them to treat me as one in return.
This applies to housework as well. We all dirty the dishes, make our clothes dirty, and move things out of place, so we are all responsible for tidying and cleaning.
If I were solely responsible for cleaning up after everyone, then my job would literally never end. Being a boy Mom of 4, my day would be filled with cleaning toilets, picking up toys, and constantly filling up the sink with dish soap.
It truly depends on the day and what needs done, but a house chore is a must.
These include (but are not limited to):
– emptying the dishwasher
– taking out the trash
– dusting common rooms
– cleaning their bathroom
– scrubbing toilets
– sweeping & mopping
I use a chore list as a visual for me to see & plan what needs done for the day and I hang it on the fridge. I also fill in the chore on their screen time checklist so that they know exactly what to do without asking me a hundred times.
After everything has been checked off the list, they are free to enjoy their 1 hour of screen time.
The more structure that you have in the home, the happier your home will be.
This is why I have created this rewards system (with screen time list included) to help you create a screen time system that creates bliss and order in your home.
No matter if this is an after-school or summer break requirement, having screen time rules will help make your home happier and cleaner. Which is always a win in my book.