Mom, Can I Have More Screen Time? – How we are Surviving the Summer

As a parent, I try really hard to say “Yes” as much as I can, but this summer, I have found myself saying “No” more than I would like.  This week I had to do something to break that cycle.  One of our biggest challenges this summer is the excessive asking for screen time.  It is really, really hot here in Florida and unless we are in the pool, it is pretty miserable to be outside.  Since I can only handle so much of the pool, that leaves us with a lot of time around the house with my little ones wanting to watch TV or play the iPad.  They ask constantly and I say “No!” constantly.

The only way we were going to survive the summer was if I came up with a different game plan.

The truth is, 90% of the screen time they have is educational, so I began asking myself why I was saying no so much anyway.  I realized I was not saying no to the screen time as much as I was wanting them to do other things in addition to the screen time.  We just recently moved so our routine is still off and things feel different around here.  All my efforts to get them interested in other things just wasn’t working.

So I have recommitted to saying, “Yes” more often.

Now when my children ask if they can have more screen time, I tell them, “Yes!  Let’s look at your chart and see if you are ready for it.”  We go over the above chart and if they have done everything on the list than they can spend the rest of the day in front of the screen for all I care.  At that point, they have spent time reading, playing with toys, interacting with their siblings or friends, played with the dog, done an art project, completed all their chores, served someone else, played outside, done a puzzle and played with their toys.  If they want to spend the rest of the super hot afternoon on an educational computer game or app, I’m good with that.

Which by the way, I have just recently discovered ABCMouse.com.  Evidently I am behind the times and many of you already know about it, but for those of you who don’t, it has been wonderful for my three and five year old.  There is a minimal monthly subscription ($5 for up to three kids) and it is AD FREE so they can’t easily click away from the game.  Check out this post for more suggestions on top educational apps.

Feel free to click on the above image and print a PDF version of the chart or create one that works for your family.  The adorable images I used came generously from mycutegraphics.com.  (The little blonde with spiky hair reminds me of my son.)

Saying, “yes” is way better than saying “no” all the time!  See how much you can eliminate saying, “No” to your kids this week.

* Just to be clear….

This isn’t about not setting limits.  I absolutely believe in limits, but I often find that the reasons I say “no” to my kids is because what they are requesting is inconvenient for me.  If they have asked appropriately – without throwing a fit, does it really matter if they stay up for an additional five minutes?  Saying, “yes” doesn’t mean giving into everything either.  Earlier today, my son asked me if he could have a cookie.  I could have responded and said, “No.  We don’t eat cookies in the middle of the day,” or “No.  Not until after dinner.”  Instead, I responded, “Yes!  After dinner, you bet you can.”  It makes the whole tone in our house better when I make an effort to say “yes” as often as I can.