I’m interested in the rules/boundaries that people have in place for devices (phones, gaming, etc) when DC have friends over. I’m sure this has been done to death, and I really don’t want it to be judgey. I’m just looking for some practical advice/tips so I can help DD.
DD (12) has a phone however we are quite strict on use when at home. Certain amount of time in the day, not at mealtimes/bedtime etc. She is however quite obsessed with Snapchat and I do see the addictive powers of the device.
She has a friend who has much more freedom with devices and seems to always have a phone in her hand. To the extent that when she has been at our house before, she is literally sat down on her phone.
DD and I have talked about this, and of course there are questions about why/if DD wants to hang out with someone who is more interested in her phone.
But, I am considering, next time she comes to our house, extending our own rules. Ie they can have a little time together on devices but then they both put them down and do something else. I will have some things ready to suggest to them. On the one hand, I know that they need to work this out themselves to a degree, but on the other hand that doesn’t seem to be happening and as a parent I can provide some structure/pointers.
DD and I have talked about the fact that, if i were going to a mates for a cuppa or some wine, we wouldn’t all be sat with our phones out tapping away. They’d be away in bags or whatever. I just feel like they don’t have this code and it’s really sad
However, if I get it wrong, DD’s friend may not want to come to our house!