Parents today are dealing with a challenge that no other generation has faced. None of us were prepared to deal with the intense pull and highly addictive nature of what the online world has to offer.
We’re all learning on the fly, trying to make sense of devices and online destinations that, in many cases, our children understand better than we do.
As parents, we have an opportunity to guide our kids so that they can learn habits that help them make use of the digital world, without being swallowed whole by it.
Here are some tips for creating a life that balances online activities with those that can only take place in the 3-D world.
1. Talk — and listen. In the same way that you’ll have more than one conversation about the birds and the bees, you’ll want to have a series of talks with your family about using screens in a balanced way. Acknowledge that while you want your kids to enjoy all the great things the digital world has to offer, you also want to ensure that they stay engaged with the wide range of activities that make us human. Be sure to listen. The more your youngsters sense your willingness to hear their point of view (most kids will want to be plugged in far more than than parents think they should be), the more willing they’ll be to respect your rules.
2. Model healthy habits. If you interrupt conversations when you get a text message or spend hours every night in front of your laptop, your kids will have a hard time accepting your admonition to uplug. Read a book, take a walk, paint, sing or take up piano. By showing your children that there really are ways to have fun that don’t require a plug or a battery, they’ll be more inclined to follow suit.
3. Establish rituals. In some households, all electronic devices are handed over an hour before kids go to bed. In others, the router is turned off at a specific time. Still other parents institute a rule of “earning” plugged in time; for every twenty minutes spent reading, kids get twenty minutes of online time. The more you establish routines and rituals, the less you’ll be pulled into daily haggling over unplugging.
Want more strategies and practical guidance for steering clear of constant screen time arguments and negotiations with your kids this summer? Join me for a very special Master Class: Steering Clear of Screen Time Struggles. You can find out more by clicking here!
We’ll create a step by step plan for setting up a sane plan for your kids to help your kids enjoy technology without being consumed by it!
