Talk

Flip

Chat

Children and screens

4 replies

Librarybooklover · 09/07/2023 16:03

So fed up with managing my children’s screen addiction and feel like I am just letting them down. I let my 2 children aged 9 and 12 watch tv or kids tube in the morning(usually an hour). In the afternoon they are allowed 2 hours tablet or phone time (12 year old has a phone).

This morning we went swimming then came home for lunch. The youngest then mopes about and annoys everyone because they are bored and can’t think of anything to do. The eldest isn’t so bad and will go and read but she will obsessively ask what time it is because she wants it to be screen time! They are so addicted it’s all they ever want to do. If I let them they would be on it all day.

I wish I was stronger and didn’t let them have screens at all because I think I would actually be doing them a favour. At the moment I am just controlling and limiting the addiction. I also like screen time myself so would feel like a hypocrite to say they can never have it.

If we go out for the day they seem to forget about screens and enjoy themselves. In reality I can’t (and don’t want to) do things all the time to keep them occupied. I want them to try and be comfortable with out constant entertainment and able to amuse themselves. It’s also not so much about time spent on screens but the fact that the desire to do it all the time seems to control them. I hate it!

OP posts:

Thanks

Report

Sirzy · 09/07/2023 16:11

Is the good intentioned micro management making it more of a forbidden fruit for them?

for ds I found that when I relaxed a bit more about it after a few weeks of lots of use he began regulating things himself a lot more

Thanks

Report

Librarybooklover · 09/07/2023 16:18

Maybe? I think they would happily spend all day on screens. A lot of their friends are alway online apart from when they are doing homework or out.

OP posts:

Thanks

Report

sandberry · 09/07/2023 16:27

Just encourage the screens and limit the reading and watch the dynamic change as they beg you for reading time.

Kids don’t have screen addictions they have normal human reactions to restriction from pleasurable educational activities.

Thanks

Report

Allthescreens · 01/08/2023 09:49

I know this is a bit older, but I have just noticed it! I feel like I could have written it about my DC!

How are things going now OP, especially with the wet weather?