For those of you who let their children watch tv...

[Leila]

I am one of those parents who is never strict when it comes to watching tv. As long as school stuff is done and done well. I have no problem letting them watch tv or play in the computer. But I do choose the program they can watch or do online.

My question is, if you let your kids watch tv or play in the computer, how much time do you normally allow them to do this?

 

Just wondering.:001_smile:

[razorbackmama]

Computer is limited to 30 minutes, and it's not an everyday thing. That's mostly because all 4 of my older ones would want to be on it, and 2 hours of people being on the computer everyday would drive me bonkers ROFLOL.

 

TV...it varies, depending on how diligent they've been with their schoolwork, whether their chores are done, if we have any outside activities going on, how much they have done OTHER than something electronic, etc. My kids are not big readers (that's putting it mildly), so I do try to limit the TV as much as possible simply because they get so lazy brainwise.:tongue_smilie:

[swellmomma]

we don't have cable so that is not an issue. I do allow occasional computer time (like 30-60 minutes total a week- I am not fond of sharing my computer with them). Video games are another story. The kids borrow games from the library. THey put them on hold so sometimes they go weeks-months without playing it, but once the games come in they play them for hours per day for the week they have them. They know the limits on the types of games I allow, all E games, and some E10+ and teen games (depending on why it is rated the way it is). If they get sour attitudes during that week, or school work etc is not getting done I return the game and that is the end of that, no more wii until the next game comes in.(they can only put one on hold once the current one is returned to avoid back to back pickups of them).

 

We also borrow movies from the library, and rent from blockbuster. They really like science documentaries and tv series(currently they are working through road to avonlea season 2). When they feel like watching movies like that I let them have at 'er. Some days they will spend 6 hours watching 1 science documentary after another, I am very happy with that.

 

I try to limit normal movies to 1 per day unless they are sick or it is just a plain horrible day and we just need to snuggle on the couch and stare at the tv for a while longer.

Edited November 30, 2009 by swellmomma

[Ester Maria]

I allow the maximum of an hour of TV a day, and no TV on Friday/Saturday (shabbat) - that basically means at most 5 hours a week (excluded the occasional watching of something during the school time AS a part of school - but that's rare, we're book types :)). I can extend that time only if they're watching something borderline educational on Israeli or Italian TV, because in the case of the former, they're basically extending school time to their free time (and are actively studying Hebrew) and in the case of the latter, well, they have to somehow maintain not only their native language, but also a cultural and pop-cultural touch with their country, so I tend to be more lenient regarding that. Of course, if I catch them too often watching stupid shows, I can restrict it more. But they mostly watch okay content on the TV and occasional movies, so for now no worries. TV is in the room where anyone can come in and talk to them about what they're watching, that criteria itself is basically enough for them to take care they don't watch utter trash.

 

Regarding the internet/computer, they can use it and I don't have a fixed limit on that (I noticed they were doing a lot of useful, educational activities in addition to music and typical stuff tweens do), but I allow it in 30-minute "cycles", and require a pause after that (for health more than anything else, physical as well as mental). They usually use only one "cycle" a day, sometimes two, rarely more. Also no internet on shabbat (though not the whole two days like for TV, just no internet from Friday evening to Saturday evening).

I also don't allow videogames at all. Thankfully, no serious interest in that so far.

[Tam101]

My son isn't a TV watcher so that is never a problem. He'll watch a bit of PBS or Sprout in the morning, but always turns it off on his own. The computer can't be used until school is done. We don't have a set amount of time, just until either dh or I think it's time to get off. OR I need my computer back. I guess we are pretty lax, but it hasn't been an issue yet. If it ever became one then we would set a limit. We don't have and won't be getting a game system!!!

[AnneC]

I don't have a set limit, every so often if the technology starts to bug me I tell them to turn it off and go and play or go outside. I find that it often ends up being background noise and they play in a different part of the room anyway.

[Closeacademy]

There is no limit but if the TV is on just for background noise they need to turn it off. They really don't watch a lot of TV and somedays they play more on the computer and some days they don't play as much.

 

They spend quite a bit of time outdoors or doing craft projects or just playing. They have learned how to monitor their own time with electronics.:001_smile:

[Haiku]

My kids get half an hour of tv time and half an hour of computer time. More than that and they start to get whiny, bickery, and bored.

 

Tara

[Researcher]

My kids get half an hour of tv time and half an hour of computer time. More than that and they start to get whiny, bickery, and bored.

 

Tara

 

:iagree:

 

We try to stick to this as well for the same reasons. Although, there are times when they watch more TV because of a special movie time or it's a special occasion. They also have to "earn" their tv time by making sure everything else is done first. We use the Accountable Kids system so they can visually see how they are doing and to earn tickets for activities.

[Chris in VA]

Dd watches some tv at night when I do. I don't really limit b/c we just don't turn it on in the daytime very often (more on the weekends). We don't have cable, just tv.

She plays Wii when stuff is done and she's bored and doesn't have something to read. Because she reads so much and plays outside so much, I don't really have to limit Wii, either. She only has Wii Sports, Games and Mario Cart. Oh, and ds got her The Hobbit game, but she doesn't know how to play it and isn't into the Zelda-type games like that.

 

The boys, otoh,--one would watch tv or movies all day and spend all night on the computer. The other doesn't watch tv or movies very often, but will surf the net and stay on FB if I let him. THey are, however, 18 and 20, so I don't monitor them (except to say no porn). The one who doesn't watch much doesn't really have time to, anyway, and the first son is in college.

[rafiki]

.

[hsbaby]

We don't have any set limits with the TV. It's on in the background a lot (just the way I grew up and it seems eerily quite when it's off...weird, I know) and the kids show little interest. My youngest does like to watch some pre-school shows, but the older to have almost NO interest. They watch a half hour at the most. Computer time is another story. They LOVE playing computer games. They would spend hours on there if I let them! So, that has to be monitored but I don't have a specific time limit.

[prairiegirl]

We don't have a limit either and, so far, it hasn't been an issue. If the kids watch too much TV at one time, then I will make them turn it off. Usually, though, they turn it off on their own.

 

We have an old XBox that someone gave to us. The kids do not play this every day. Actually, it has been a few weeks since they have played it last. They do have a time limit with this: a 1/2 hr. each child.

[Faithr]

I've never been good at limiting screen time. My strategy is to keep busy doing other things and to make sure we break up any sedentary time with other stuff like getting outdoors or helping with chores etc. I also discuss with them the downside of too much screen so that they can use their common sense to develop their own sense of when to stop. My 14 yo will say I've been on the screen too long, I'm taking the dog for a walk, etc. My 10 yo has developed ridiculously high standards when it comes to what he'll watch on TV. His self-imposed snobbery seriously impacts the amount of time he'll watch TV.

 

One problem that happens with me is that some of the screen time is really educational. For example my 10 loves to do computer animations and this can take quite a long time. So if he spends 3 hours creating animations that isn't the same thing as sitting in front of the tube watching Disney (which we've banned from the house except for one show!). My 17 yo has taught himself music history and music theory on line just by exploring different sites and listening to clips on youtube. My 8 yo likes to put on yoga dvds and do yoga! Is that screen or not screen? My 14 yo loves to watch stand up comics on youtube and then he and 10 yo have fun coming up with routines like Brian Reagan. This is such a fun bonding experience for them, how can I limit it????

 

Sometimes I get really concerned that there is too much screen and I have to get emphatic about my concerns and how I don't like the negative patterns that are developing but at other times I am quite proud of how they regulate themselves and I think screen time can be a very enriching thing! It kind of ebbs and flows.

[Homeschooling6]

We don't watch cable but use dvd's ( very rarely do we watch cable. wish we could just get rid of it) Anyway, I try to limit t.v. to 5hrs or less per week.

 

Computer is 20 minutes a day.

[crl]

I don't have a set limit, every so often if the technology starts to bug me I tell them to turn it off and go and play or go outside. I find that it often ends up being background noise and they play in a different part of the room anyway.

 

This is how it works in our house. Generally in the nice weather months, we do very little tv. In the winter, the kids do watch more tv or play more computer games. Most of the time, they start to watch a show, but then get sidetracked playing so the tv doesn't get watched all that much.

[Tess in the Burbs]

it's not an everyday thing here. Depends on school, the weather, and what else I need to get done.

computer time is always 30 min per child. If they choose to play star wars lego then they do so together and get the full hour :-)

 

tv is usually a video so can be 2 hours for a long movie. sometimes they get PBS and it's an hour. it's rare they get both tv and computer time in one day.

[MomOfOneFunOne]

We have a television but not cable or the converter-thingy so no television programming. However, my daughter likes to watch the shows on EWTN.com sometimes and I let her. I think they are excellent shows that could practically pass for Religion class so if school work is done, i'd let her watch with no problem. She's usually too busy, though. Somehow they only get watched in spurts. One week she remembers and wants to watch almost everyday but then she doesn't watch them for several months. Then begs everyday then forgets . . .

 

Right now she's going through a Word Girl phase. She watches that on PBS.org. It's okay, too. I don't mind letting her watch an episode or two on the weekend.

 

We have movie night once/week or so on a weekend night.

 

When and how much? I don't have it set in stone. Movie night is one movie on which ever weekend evening isn't busy. The EWTN shows are at set times and if work is done and nothing else is going on, that's fine but I think that it's fine b/c she doesn't watch them that often. I do like them but too much screen time would bother me. With Word Girl or other PBS things she can watch online one or two episodes total on the weekend only. Again, that would only be if she didn't have anything else to do and all homework, chores, et c were finished. The other day we were going somewhere and she was ready well b/f anyone else. She watched a word girl while waiting. She hasn't had any screen time since and hasn't asked. It seems that she just knows not to ask if it isnt' a weekend. That has been impressed into her little mind somehow. However, if she gets to watch, eventhough two episodes is my limit, she'll still push for a third episode. Somehow that won't sink in.

[MissKNG]

DD can go on the computer when she wants...she has 4 educational sites she plays on. She goes on about 3-4 times a week for less than 30 minutes a time usually.

 

The TV is on PBS mainly and I keep it on for background noise. DD watches it here and there but never just SITS and watches it for long periods of time unless I tell her to go relax and watch the TV.

[lauracolumbus]

I don't set limits on either tv or computer, but I actively discourage its use by redirecting them to other things like playing outside or with their toys. I'll put out crafts or set up a board game or tell them to invite some friends over. If it were up to me, we'd disconnect cable, but dh would go through withdrawal.

 

Laura

[coralloyd]

We have no cable. We do net flix and dvds/videos, ect... They have 30 min. in the morning (dh and I are not morning people). An hour at lunch. And about once a week we watch a movie as a family. The computer they only get on once or twice a week so each girl gets about an hour or so. These rule are not hard and fast, but this is generally what it looks like at our house.

[mrsrevmeg]

We don't allow video games or computer time during the school week. (well, some computer surfing that is school related/educational) No TV during school, but after school work is done they like to watch. We are strict about we watch, so most of the time there is nothing on. They like to watch game shows, but even those need to monitored. The boys are getting a Wii for Christmas. I think we might get some of the more active games to let them play as PE time during the winter.

[elegantlion]

We used to have a limit of 3 hours per day screen time. I know horrible, etc, etc. If he's watching something educational I don't press it. When he was younger we'd stick to the limit and make him find other activities. He used to watch insipid stuff on Disney to extreme, then we read Fahrenheit 451. :D Since we read that book he seldom has the TV on just for noise. Right now the Military Channel is on (we start school late). It's just as likely to be history or science channel. He also has his own laptop and watches videos on how to play the latest card game he's learning.

 

I guess I don't see TV/screens as something horrid. As long as it's educational and he's not in zone out phase or neglecting other duties because of it.

[Mom0012]

My kids are allowed 30 minutes computer or ds time and then they are allowed to watch a dvd in the evening after dinner if all of their schoolwork and chores are done. They usually wind up watching for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. On the weekends, I usually do the same but occasionally let them have a movie fest or extra computer time, especially if we are on break.

 

Lisa

[Jen in PA]

There is no limit but if the TV is on just for background noise they need to turn it off. They really don't watch a lot of TV and somedays they play more on the computer and some days they don't play as much.

 

They spend quite a bit of time outdoors or doing craft projects or just playing. They have learned how to monitor their own time with electronics.:001_smile:

 

This sounds like our house. My kids enjoy tv, but would much rather be outside or doing something messy with paint and glue. DD loves to read, DS loves to work on his Lego creations. They watch more when the weather is bad, and very little when the weather is decent. I let them play on the computer most days, but they never seem to want to stay on for very long. We don't get many channels, but I try to grab lots of interesting dvds from the library when I know we will be stuck inside a lot.

[KAR120C]

As long as his schoolwork is done and he's finished whatever I've asked him to do, DS is allowed to watch/ play almost as much as he wants. If I get sick of listening to it I'll tell him to turn it off, and if he's on my computer I have the right to kick him off whenever I like. :)

 

We don't turn on the TV during "school hours" (including lunch) but before we start and after he's done he's fine with self-regulating.

[hsmom3tn]

I limit their computer time to 1 hour a day on school days, and only after school is done. My girls don't usually want to play on the computer, and when they do it's just to play on the Webkinz or Build a Bear site. My son used to play Pirates of the Caribbean online, but eventually grew tired of it so now he plays some Star Wars game that he bought at Target. None of them are allowed to just surf the web.

 

I don't limit the TV time, but they don't spend much time just sitting and watching TV so I don't feel that I really need to. The girls have finally gotten over all those Disney Channel shows, so now the TV is usually on Animal Planet or the Discovery Channel.

 

We also have a Wii and I don't limit that either, except that it's only for after school work is finished. Sometimes I make them get off if I want to play... :D

 

On the weekends and holidays, we don't have a set limit for anything. I don't really have problems with my girls wanting to be on the computer/playing the Wii/watching TV all day; they will play outside, play in their room, and read books, too. However, sometimes I have to "suggest" to my son that he go and find something else to do for a while...

[hsbaby]

hsmomof3tn...are you me?!?! I could have written your post.....down to my right to kick them off my computer. And what are they usually playing...yup, webkinz, Pirates, Star Wars. Not to mention I am also hsing 3 in TN. Weird:)

[Leila]

Thank you all for your responses. I am glad to hear that many of you are comfortable letting their children spend certain amount of time on computer or tv. I'm not alone.:001_smile: I don't regulate either but I choose stuff they can watch just because my kids are still young. And I find out more and more programs are really good, example "Dinosaur Train" on PBS is a really good show for young ones. We also do Wii fit and they enjoy doing that. Thank you all!

Edited November 30, 2009 by Leila

[jengjohnson]

I've had to cut my 4 year old off recently because she was addicted to screens. My older two are busy with school and then often choose to read, draw, do crafts or imaginative play. They seem to self-regulate and would choose to turn it off. The youngest had too much time to herself so now I'm doing more school with her and getting her started on crafts and projects while the others are still schooling. She's fine when given something to do, but if I don't give her something she begs for PBS or computer time. Sometimes she asks before she's even eaten breakfast!

 

In the past, I didn't limit her and she obviously played/watched too much. Now I'm thinking no tv or computer unless it's a movie we're watching as a family or maybe 30 minutes of computer time once she stops begging for it. I cut her off last Wednesday and she's still begging, we'll see how long her withdrawal symptoms last, LOL.

Jen

[Tabrett]

I don't have a limit.

 

I didn't have a limit as a child and could care less about watching TV. I do love being on the computer. My dh wasn't allowed to watch TV during school days as a child and NEVER cuts the TV off as an adult. I have noticed this pattern among other adults my age. My 15yo dd doesn't watch much TV and has never had a time limit. She is on the computer most of the time chatting with friends. I think computers now days are like phones were when were were young. It is more of a communication device.

[Momling]

I don't really set a limit, but I do turn off the TV when I feel like it's enough. I have a higher tolerance for educational shows than entertainment shows... so if my 5 yr old wanted to watch multiple episodes of "Between the Lions" or my 7 yr old wanted to watch a couple history or science documentaries, I'd be fine with it. But after an hour of "Yo Gabba Gabba" or "Dora" (for the 5 yr old) or "Project Runway" or "Alton Brown" (for the 7 yr old), I feel it's enough for the day. And I do completely censor programs I don't like (like cartoon network) and I avoid watching the bloodier medical and crime shows in front of the kids.

[MyLittleWonders]

We have cable, but the boys are limited to what we DVR (or an episode of one of those programs off On Demand for more vareity). We also do DVDs. They aren't completely limited in the time; a lot depends on the day and the mood of the house. I'll eventually turn it off (with warning) if I feel they've been watching too much. Some days it will come on during school time (ds#3 will watch a LeapFrog DVD while the older two are doing schoolwork or like today - I'm not feeling well, slept in and didn't get a shower early, and so they watched some TV - PBS shows - while I got ready in between our core subjects). Right now they are watching JONAS.

 

Computer time/video game is very limited around here. Fridays usually are Wii days; sometimes we'll also get out the Wii on the weekends. The boys also like playing Disney's ToonTown online, but typically will choose Wii over ToonTown on Fridays. Sometimes I'll surprise them and let them play on the computer on a different day of the week, but rarely.

[lauracolumbus]

Dh and I were both raised w/o limits, other than the obvious one that there was very little children's programming back in the dark ages when we were kids. Pretty much Sat. morning cartoons, which I hated. I find tv tedious and he uses it as a form of relaxation. I always assumed it was a gender thing. In fact, a friend of mine cited a study about how men's brain waves were flattened (or needed to be flattened or some such technical thing that I'm butchering) by watching tv.

 

There are a few good books that tell a pretty depressing story about the harmful effects of tv (even good programming--stuff that SWB also includes in her book). I think the name of one book is "The Elephant in the Living Room."

 

Laura

[Mommy22alyns]

I usually allow about an hour on the computer. I don't have a limit on TV viewing time, I just have them shut it off if I feel like it's been on too long. They don't really watch a ton of TV though and I'm not fond of sharing my computer either! :tongue_smilie:

 

As far as what they are allowed to watch, it's still pretty restricted to what DVDs we have and shows that we've pre-recorded. Websites are restricted to things I've approved and put on their favorites.

Edited December 1, 2009 by Mommy22alyns

[gevs4him]

Well we don't keep track of time, but we have a rule which is no more than 1 hour when he is on the computer or playing wii. Now T.V. is different just because he likes to watch sports, military, national geography, and science shows not cartoons. And most of the time it is with my husband.

Lisa

DD 19

DS 7

[robsiew]

Wow, I envy the parents of self-governing children when it comes to computer/TV! We call it "radiation" in our house! LOL! We have to strictly monitor or the boys would play video games or be on the computer all day long! All the kids get an hour a day of their choice videos/computer/video games. They each have an opportunity to earn 15 additional minutes each day by completing a specific task to each child... (ie. the oldest needs to get piano practice in before school, next one her neatness counts in school work, next one needs to earn all his "behavior stickers" for the morning during school and the littlest one needs to complete all his chores before school starts).

 

We have a nephew who got to the point that all he ever does for fun is play video games... I didn't want that to be my kids (it was my husband too!) so that's why we limit the time. Like I said, I wish I didn't have to...

[justamouse]

We have only one puter split between nine of us and I get the lions share if I have work to do-so normally they get 1/2 hour blocks.

 

As far as TV goes, I really don't care because they are just as happy playing outside and riding bikes. If I had a couch potato I might rethink that, but mine are fit and never seek to watch anything they shouldn't be.

 

I didn't have a limit as a kid, my child's shrink told him not to limit it, and none of us are couch potatoes. I really could care less about it, so could my kids.

Edited December 1, 2009 by justamouse

[silvermine]

No limit. But they do have to do their chores, school, etc.. I take it away if they act rude or insane or misbehave.

[shehmeth]

There are great tidbits and ideas here... Thanks all for sharing... Is always good to see what other parents with kids at other ages are doing..

 

We'll this is us:

 

We do allow the use of TV & Computers but we put limits... We use accountable kids to manage the kids tasks.

 

The kids earn tickets which they can use (exchange) for 30 minutes of TV/Computer or other stuff.. My daughter earns 3 tickets each day as she does her assigned tasks: one for the morning, one for the afternoon and one for night (she uses her night ticket in the morning of the next day before we do homeschool; she uses her morning ticket -- which she earns after completing her morning tasks and homeschool - she uses it after homeschool time; her afternoon ticket she uses is during the afternoon after she has finished her afternoon tasks -- and the night ticket she earns it that day by doing her night tasks, but she does not get to use it until the next day)... The task are such a : pick up toys, brush hair, set the table, get dressed, homeschool, violin practice, pick up mail (which she loves, is like an adventure every day)

 

There are days she might earn an extra ticket or two: extra activities - such as violin class, ballet class - she gets a ticket for those too...

 

 

So in total IF she were to use all of her tickets for TV/PC she would have 1.5 hours a day of screen time... on days she has more tickets is usually an extra one - and even in the event she does have quite a few, she wouldn't have time to use it all, so that would mean 2 hours of screen time that day - Now, keep in mind that these tickets are not only for TV / PC, but for other activities too - like going to the park (we have a park walking distance) riding the bike outside, doing an special activity/project, etc... so is not all used on Tv/Pc - those just happened to be two of the many choices available and the one that deal with this thread... NOTE: Playing with toys, reading books, coloring, playdough, Blocks, paints, etc.... this are things that are free of tickets, that they can occupy their tim with and do not require a ticket to do..

 

Now, when we do see a video (MUS, Language video, etc) school related, we do this during school time and no I do not count it against her (in other words, I do not ask her to give me a ticket).. Similarly when we do an Online or PC related activity for school (like Singapore Game, Between the Lions, Language Games, etc) If this done during school time at my request, I do not count it against her (again, I do not take a ticket)... HOWEVER, she loves the between the lions things, and she would do this on her own on her "free" time with her ticket - in that case even though is an "Educational game" is her ticket her choice it does count, so I do take a ticket from her..

 

Saturday - is still the same - tickets need to be earned and exchange for activity..

 

Sundays on the other hand (and official holidays) are "free days" she does not need to use the tickets to use the TV or PC, or any other regular activity - you would think that would mean veggie in front of the PC /TV all day - not really... we do go out, and she's used to those 30 mins of screen time, with lots of other activities in between, that she does just that on Sunday as well....

 

We do limit the Programs (content) there are certain shows that we think are not appropriate for their age (i.e. Hannah Montana) or that we do not agree with their message (or the lack of one - i.e. Sponge Bob) - not that we think every program/ show has to have a message/agenda, but I do believe in the concept of Garbage in, Garbage Out - so if a program falls into that category in our household is simply not seen: this is not a show we see - simply put as that. We like fun, educational programs.... although we can also be seen as a family enjoying a movie or program that is not kid oriented but family oriented.. and enjoying some simple fun shows.. WordGirl, has become a favorite in the past weeks... some of the kids favorites include: Little Einsteins, Dora, Diego, Nei Hao Kailan, Mickey Mouse, Zabomafoo, Hi-5...

 

 

That's what we do...

 

Kate

Edited December 1, 2009 by shehmeth

[Shawna in Texas]

I don't want to say completely unlimited, but I guess dd self-governs well enough that I don't get concerned. She doesn't like to do little spurts of anything, even school. She'll get a new video game and spend 6 hours playing (if school and chores are done), but then she won't touch it for a month. It's the same with TV. Sometimes she'll sit down with us in the evening and watch a movie, but when she's on "TV mode" she'll watch a whole DVD set of anime for hours in a row, then not watch much of anything for a few weeks. Same with computer. She'll get on a little to see what friends are up to, or she'll do a little surfing before she lies down to read, or do some MEP Interactive while in bed. Sometimes when a new episode comes out of a favorite show, or a movie, she'll spend the weekend online chatting with her cousins about it. Sometimes it's the phone. Sometimes she'll discover a new series of books and read them all in a sitting. Just as long as her school work is getting done and chores being completed, I'm pretty flexible. My flexibility also extends to negotiations. If it's a weekend she's into a new game, but her clothes aren't put away, I'll let her play as long as she puts her clothes away the next morning. She's usually so grateful for my flexibility that she'll take the 2yo in her room (without us asking) and play with her so her dad and I can watch a movie. :D

[welovetoread]

We allow 30 minutes of computer time per kid and 60 minutes total of TV. Sometimes its more sometimes its less depending on the day.

[Bee]

It's off during "school time". It goes on at lunch and should be turned off after, but it often isn't. Sometimes someone watches it, and sometimes it's just background noise. The children must wait until 3 pm to go on the computer or play video games but we don't adhere to that strictly all the time. Older dd is pretty good about limiting her screen time but is listening to music on the radio or her MP3 player frequently throughout the day, even during school hours. The limits are mostly in place because of younger dd who would spend all day staring at some sort of a screen if she could. She is limited to 1 hour a day of video games and 1 hour of computer time on weekdays.

[iquilt]

We have one kid computer so each is limited to 1 hour per day. TV is usually not on during the day unless the weather has been horrible and we've already crafted, read aloud, played for hours with barbies and cars, etc. We do, however, love our Wii and just got it back after 5 months in storage while we moved so we are playing it everyday for as long as we can stand it, just as long as school is done. I love our Wii and it is great fun for all of us.

[WishboneDawn]

There isn't a limit on TV in our house. Generally the kids aren't big watchers. My daughter would rather read and my son would rather play video games or play with Lego. I don't mind my son's video game time either because it's a big father-son activity with my husband and it really carries over into his play as well.

[plimsoll]

Our work during the school day is intense and focused. Add to that the after-school activities, an hour or more of readng after school, piano practice, and occasional evening educational activities, and my son needs to relax.

 

To do so, he plays video games (wii, ds, on the computer), either alone or with his friends. After he's played for about two hours, I make him take a break and read or do something else for a bit. Later, he can go back to it. So, no really hard and fast limits on the computer games, as long as everything else is done.

 

We don't watch tv here, so tv is not an issue.

[s.z.ichigo]

The current plan is to allow 2 hours of tv and 1 hour of computer or video game time. This isn't always used up every day, and I don't count it against her time if she's watching something somebody else put on.

She can only watch tv if school is done or at least on schedule, and usually no computer or games at all until school is finished.

I ONLY allow tv on non-commercial channels. This limits her mostly to shows below her age level (like Noggin or PBS Kids) but she's gravitating away from the little kid stuff and watching things like Sid the Science kid and Cyberchase. Occasionally she'll watch Animal Planet or Nat Geo, and I'm alright with that as they don't show commercials aimed at kids. She's pretty ad-savvy, but commercial kid channels just show pure junk so that's just a universal "no" here, and will be for the foreseeable future. I see the Disney-channel and Nickelodeon junk her cousins watch and I'm perfectly happy to keep that stuff out of my house.

For computer time it's usually games like Spore. Zoo Tycoon 2, or World of Warcraft. She's only allowed to go to a few websites. Webkinz, PBSKids, Totlol.com, and her email site. I don't let her google anything herself. We don't have any kind of net nanny and I don't want them as I don't want to trust anything that might make me lazy and let her use the computer unsupervised. I don't plan on letting her have an internet-enabled computer of her own until.....EVER.

Edited December 2, 2009 by s.z.ichigo

[SquirrellyMama]

I don't have a set limit, every so often if the technology starts to bug me I tell them to turn it off and go and play or go outside. I find that it often ends up being background noise and they play in a different part of the room anyway.

 

:iagree:

[Chloe]

My dc are only allowed to watch TV (we don't have cable) or play video/computer games on the weekends (starting after 5PM on Fridays), unless they are sick or it is something we are watching as a family. We don't have a set amount of time on the weekends, but they aren't allowed to be in front of a screen all day. They MUST be outdoors for part of the day and have their rooms cleaned/laundry done.

[Chloe]

Forgot to mention that we make an exception for my 3yo. She is allowed 1 hour of video time each morning. Usually she watches a couple of Letter Factory or Veggie Tales videos. This is a big help for keeping her occupied while my two oldest do their math and I work with my 1st grader.