I have a 7yo and a 10yo. Between various things going on we've let any structure and limits slip massively and I want to get a handle on it.
We have a separate room with the games console and this is where our 10yo basically lives. When he gets in from school until he goes to bed. He'll stop for dinner then go straight back.
DH is terrible at boundary setting with them for anything and waits on them both hand and foot. If I go to bed early they'll both be up until yon time with school the next day.
So I started getting them both off screens/gaming at 8.30pm with a view to being in bed by 9pm where they both read for a while.
The 8.30pm deadline kept getting pushed back by the eldest by him not getting off the PS and driving me round the wall and every bedtime became a battle that totally stresses me out each night. It's not pleasant for either of us. I have to ask him at least 5 times and by the last time I lose my rag and we're both in a bad mood.
Now I've timed the internet on his devices to go off at 8.30pm.
This is 2-fold - he is on the PS too much and DH and I want some time to ourselves. He's not expected to go to sleep at 8.30pm but I expect he gets ready for bed and can read/listen to audiobooks in his room.
Our youngest is much better, he plays on his tablet or watches youtube but in the living room with us so we can still chat/play games/whatever together.
Now I've put restrictions on the internet, I'm thinking of what's a reasonable daily time limit for screens.
What limits do you have, are there ways your kids earn time?