“How Much Screen Time is Healthy for My Kids?”

If you’re looking for a magical answer to that question, we don’t have one.  Because for some kids, even a half hour a day is too much.  For others, two hours might be just fine – depending, of course, on such other factors is what exactly they’re viewing or playing, how they’re doing with their studies, and more.

So, for purposes of this blog, we’re going to assume that you already think your kids have their noses to the screen(s) more than you deem healthy or desirable and that now, you’re looking for suggestions on how to minimize screen time without starting a home-based war.

Fear now because with a few simple tips, you’ll be gracefully making the changes you want and hardly noticing the transitions.

Track it: Start by keeping a log of TV time versus physical activity time. Decide for yourself or with your family what makes for a good balance, and proceed from there.  You may find that your kids are already very active, busy at school, and with after school activities and that maybe their screen time isn’t as much of a concern!

Find a replacement: Presenting other options before kids get on technology gives everyone more choices and helps kids feel something other than deprived.  If they are busy playing a board game together they won’t notice the screens are off. Also, making a rule that technology and televisions are only to be used in shared spaces (rather than bedrooms) means more distractions, and that often leads to voluntarily screen shut off. The dog wants to play, neighbors can be heard playing outside, smells of food cooking create meal time interest!

Meal time is family time: Food preparation is interesting to everyone. Sights, sounds, and smells are great, but learning how to cook yourself is even more exciting. Kids of all ages can help you cook a meal. Stir a pot, push a button on a mixer or food processor, or gather ingredients from the fridge are all activities that can be shared and make for less work for you. Once at the table, no technology means you can all laugh and share your days together.

Don’t make a fuss: For younger kids, putting a lot of attention on the fact that there will officially be less time with technology pretty much guarantees some resistance. Instead, focus on the positives on your newly adjusted daily routines rather than what’s been taken away from them.

If the idea of sharing meal time preparation appeals to you but you’re thinking that one chef in the kitchen is all you have room for, maybe it’s time to consider adding a second sink as part of a food prep or cleanup station.  If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your kitchen anyway, this is the perfect time to contact Your 1 Plumber for expert advice, high quality plumbing products, and installation services with your satisfaction guaranteed.