Technology time

For our family, the best way for us to manage technology time is by setting limits. Ones that the kids know, and have come to accept. For each family it is different, and this is simply what currently works for our family.

We have a Wii, and during term time it is only played on Friday and Saturday evenings. This allows weeknights to be used for homework, activities, family time, without the constant nagging to play the Wii. The kids know that it is a weekend only treat, and this helps them to appreciate the time they spend playing it (of course it does not mean there are no arguments!! Just that we can limit arguing over the wii to Fridays and Saturdays! ;) we are a little more relaxed during the holidays, but still do our best to ensure that hours aren't wasted on it.

The TV is allowed on during the week, after school. I generally don't allow TV in a school morning as there really isn't time for it, but in the evenings, if homework is done, then the kids get to watch something. They particularly like the Disney Channel, and the programmes so far seem to be family friendly, so we don't have an issue with them. We generally discouraged too much tv watching if it's a summers evening, since I prefer the kids to be outside playing. More often than not the TV only goes on after dinner whilst we are putting the little ones to bed. The older 3 choose a show and will watch it whilst we do stories and baths for the youngest.

One thing we try hard not to do is have TV be the last activity before bed. Our preference is reading, I'm no expert in child development, but reading definitely helps to relax our kids before they fall asleep.

Mobile phones.

Our children (and so far this only applies to the oldest) get a phone when they start secondary school. We personally don't think there is a need for one before this time, but every family is different. They pay for it themselves from their pocket money (hubby found a deal which, after cashback works out to less than £1 a month) and it is a basic phone. This means if it is lost or stolen it is not a huge expense to replace. It also makes it far less likely to be stolen. We do not allow phones or technology in bedrooms. They are to be used during the day when the rest of the family is around, and bed time is for sleeping. This may change as the children get older, but for now we do not see any reason why a 12 year old would need to be calling or texting after 9pm.

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