What tactics do you use to get your family to look away from technology in favour of real quality time? – £150 voucher prize draw NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

DTAC have asked us to find out how Mumsnetters encourage their family to look up from technological devices to spend more quality time with each other.

You can view their TV ad .

So, do you ever find that you can’t drag your children (or DP?) out of their room away from their gadgets? What tactics do you use to get your family to put away their technology away and spend more quality time together? Perhaps you always make sure that mealtimes are screen free? Maybe you bribe encourage your children to spend more time together by letting them choose fun days out to go on together as a family? Or do you resort to switching off the wifi at home when you want to get your DC (or DP!) away from their computer? Whatever it is we’d love to hear it!

Everyone who comments on the thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £150 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[ChocolateMama]

We have no computers/gaming stuff during the week during term-time.

[momb]

When it gets too much I turn off the wifi. My DDs have 1hr internet access per day(other than homework) but can use devices for reading/music at other times.
It's easier to get them together to play a game or send them out to play. Individually it's harder for them to see an alternative to the spoonfeeding technology. They all play instruments or sing so that's an hour a day, plus meal times which are guaranteed screen free.
I think we have quite a good balance really, though it is a daily monitoring job, rather than something which comes naturally yet.

[momb]

I should say that a good selection of mixed-age board games, a big paddling pool and a bike each do aid the whole 'playing together' thing!!

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

TV time is limited - no more than half an hour at a time and (usually) only in the evenings after dinner.

We're not at the xbox / ipad stage yet (DS is too young) but this will also be limited.

Me & Dh try to lead by example and try not to use our smartphones too much when DS is around. I particularly don't like it if DH gets his phone out at the dinner table and have had to mention it a few times!! He is slowly getting the message!

We all enjoy being out & about more than looking at screens though so whenever we can we go to the park, zoo, farm, shops, for a walk, visit people, out for lunch, etc. together as a family - much more enjoyable!

Food is also a good distraction (for most things!!)

[CMOTDibbler]

We just restrict time - and that goes for us all.
I am not very tolerant of adults fiddling on their phones in company, and hate, hate, hate it at the table. I confess that the other night (was at a conference) I asked my boss to put his phone face down on the table instead of looking at it during dinner - he is terrible for it, and the team is rarely together so it was extra rude.

As a family, we go out and do things at the weekend - we cycle 20 miles or so, go for big dog walks, play ball games, swim or try local events

[Jellylove]

For the children it's easy, I just say no! And they are quite happy if a suitable distraction is available, eg playing in garden, craft activity.
It's the DH that's the problem, he can't leave electronic devices alone, need a thread about that!

[bshree08]

We go out for walk in the park, go to play ground and then have craft session with kids, In the house we have paddling pool splash in water and then swing in the garden, We also play Board games, quiz boards, and go to neighbour house and local shops, go to swimming pool. My little girl helps in kitchen like kneading dough, wiping the clean dishes with dish cloth, tidying up with toys and changing nappies for our 14 month old son.

[Lindy2]

They can earn some screen time by doing things like their school reading during the day. Screen time is just a bit of extra fun at the end of the day, not a major part of it.

[RubySparks]

My DC are teens so run their social lives through screens so they are not banned but we try to limit time by doing other things and by having dinner at the table with no phones! We also didn't get a ps4 due to exams coming up but may do later. Everything in moderation seems to work!

[sharond101]

We try and make other toys really interesting by playing with them ourselves and making noises like "Wow" "Look at this Daddy" as I point to a non technological toy. We spend lots of time outdoors too which really helps. That and going out for days makes technology less tempting and less time for it obviously.

[ILoveMyCaravan]

Meals are always eaten together around the dining table and all screens are switched off.

I take them away in the caravan (a lot!) where there's no internet access so they have to find other things to do.

We also have a lot of days out.

They will happily read a good book though without too much persuasion.

[serendipity1980]

For the children they don't watch tv on the tv unless it is a DVD. We allow use of my iPad for ebooks, occasional viewing of CBeebies or educational apps. However this is limited and not allowed every day. We have no screens/toys at the table during mealtimes, however, DH is the problem because he still plays on his phone - any ideas how to stop him - I can't resort to taking his toys away like DC!!!! I'm hoping as DC get older, he'll have to stop because they will want screens and then it just wouldn't be fair.

[todayisnottheday]

We have lots of outside the house activities. They have ponies which we all do together, we do karate as a family several times a week, we dog walk together. Between all that and school/homework there isn't much time left for screens!

[ataraxia]

'Accidental' shoulder surfing soon gets the devices put away!

[Doobydoo]

THREATS

[BetsyBell]

Agree in advance how long they've got. Leaving the house works too.

[wibblyjelly]

Having a fun day out does the trick for us, even if it's just a walk.

[ErrolTheDragon]

We do lots of 'real stuff' with her. eg today DH spent the day canoeing with DD, tomorrow she and I will be doing windsurfing/sailing.

In term time DD spends a lot of time at her computer... doing homework. Mostly comp. sci and electronics GCSE coursework.... I've no objection to technology if she's building it herself not merely consuming it!

DH set up the router to cut off her wifi at 10pm, as she has an early start - she's got sense enough to accept this graciously.

She was quite amused by the sheer horror with which some of her classmates greeted the news that the DofE expeditions meant being parted from their phones and pads for two days ... during which of course they had actual people to talk to and real stuff to look at and do!

[ScrambledEggAndToast]

We often go for bike rides as a family. We will take a picnic and do up to 30 miles. There are so many nice places round where we live that it's really nice to go and visit them, plus it's good exercise. Really nice to spend time together as a family.

[Selinemaratima]

I have little children, my dd is 4 my ds 20 months, my hubby is a doctor. We often have cbeebies on, my dd plays on her leap pad, my hubby 'reads' papers, journals, emails on his phone, I do the shopping on mine. When daddy gets in from work we switch everything off and have a good old boogie to some music, the kids love it, my hubby & I look completely ridiculous, everyone has a good giggle and it definitely sets the mood for bath time (no devices) story time then sleep (smile)

[ArcheryAnnie]

"It's time to turn off the computer - you have 10 mins to wind up your game and say goodbye to your skype mates".

I don't need a "tactic", as I'm a parent. If I say the computer should be switched off, the computer is switched off.

[Hopezibah]

We've ended up having real issues lately where both sons would get in a rage when it was time to log off the computer. So we've ended up having certain days when computer time is totally banned.

In place of gadgets and computer, I make sure I have some ideas up my sleeve for outings to the woods and to the park, outdoor water play, and getting out some games and toys that they've not used for a while.

If they dare say 'im bored' - then out comes my list of household chores for them to do instead!

[Micksy]

Our devices need "charging" a lot more frequently than you would imagine. I don't think this tactic will work forever, though.

[LEE88]

I set time limits and give them a five minute warning when time is running out, and definitely no tablets/gadgets at the table.