This 2 hours max screen time for primary age?

[SnowIsInTheAir]

The GP once again told us at DD's last appointment that maximum screen time for her age (9) and her brother (12) should be two hours a day.

That's fine, especially during term time. However, in the holidays, it creeps up. My question is, is that 2 hours screen time in total or is it recreational screen time?

DD has today had one hour of a maths game and not quite 2 hours tv. I was out, she didn't want to come to the shop so I said she could watch something whilst I was gone. "DH" is angry with her for not doing anything sensible today. Obviously she won't get any more screens today but does the one hour of maths game count towards the total? In my view, it's sensible use and educational so not. He clearly thinks so. although if he were to be left to entertain them on a weekend, it would be another story altogether

You're overthinking it. It's the holidays, let them do whatever. We parents need a break too! Why is your GP commenting on screen time anyway? How did that come up?

I think that is on average. If you can imagine a child of that age having 3-4 hours of screen time in their non-school hours during term time, they won't be doing a whole lot of all the other things that kids need to do for healthy development, like playing or spending time with friends or engaging in hobbies.

We have been at home with COVID for the past 2 weeks and the term ended Friday and dh and I still have to work. Ours have been watching about 8 hours a day of tv/games for the past couple of weeks. Dh was too ill to care and I had to work and keep everyone alive. Now that everyone is well (but there is no school), we have loads of work to get caught up on by end of year.

Back in the 80s, I probably watched tv/films most of every day of the school holidays. I also played with friends and ran around and rode my bike too. Did me no harm. I'm a scientist with a PhD and very well socially adjusted.

Just had an opticians appointment with 10 year old twins. She asked them about screen time on hand held devices and said max 2-3 hours. Break every hour and look out the window for one minute. She didn’t count tv time. I wish she hadn’t given the 3 hours!

Why is your GP commenting on screen time anyway? How did that come up?
It was a general check up including vaccinations and was asking her about how school is going, hobbies etc.

mindutopia that's different if one of you is ill!

They are currently ignoring me in disgust at my refusal to turn on the Switch and playing nicely together without fighting

Too much screen time at Christmas is the law

Don’t overthink, especially in these weird times. Getting lost in fantasy for a few hours is positively beneficial, I think.

@SnowIsInTheAir

Why is your GP commenting on screen time anyway? How did that come up? It was a general check up including vaccinations and was asking her about how school is going, hobbies etc.

mindutopia that's different if one of you is ill!

They are currently ignoring me in disgust at my refusal to turn on the Switch and playing nicely together without fighting

Oh just ignore the GP! If there was no reason for it such as speech and language concerns etc then it's not worth listening to. It's Christmas, let them!

Our rule is no computer or tablets during the week but they can have TV. Weekends are a free for all as long as it doesn't affect mood or behaviour.

I don't count screen time other than the inbuilt timer on the Mac computer and iPad, not it's often more than 2 hours a day, as long as they get out to play in the garden, come for a walk with the dog and eat dinner without devices, I don't see the issue. Both kids are very active and get bored of them more easily when I don't limit screen time tbf.