Tips for helping your kids unplug from technology
A couple of months ago, my friend’s kids woke up to a large note on their TV. It said: “For each day this goes unused, you each get one dollar.” She owes each of her three kids over $100 now. But she says it’s 100% worth it.
Clearly, this is one way to get kids to unplug. Of course, there are other (less expensive) ways that might be harder for the kids to swallow. Here are a few that should be digestible for all.
1. Talk about it. You have to be honest with the kids and let them know that you’re limiting “screen time.” That means time they spend on tablets and smartphones, computers and TV. “I’m trying to grow your brains,” I tell my kids. Then, I give them a time limit or number of shows they can watch a day and allow them to budget and negotiate use.
2. Provide a goal. Whether it’s more creative play, more independent play or further developing certain interests, give them a sense of how they should fill the new “down time.” This might take some investing in extra craft supplies, sports or music equipment, but giving them materials to spend their time will make the unplugging less of a shock. Remember: letting kids be bored (and surviving their whines) is a good thing. Eventually, they start entertaining themselves.
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3. Learn new relaxation techniques. Remember, TV watching is relaxing. So, what are other ways they should be calming themselves? Try yoga DVDs, listening to mellow music, reading, storytelling or taking a nature walk. Make sure you’re ready to teach and learn new techniques with them.
4. Model the behaviour. Don’t forget parents, you too need to unplug. Put down the phone when you’re having “kid-time,” get involved with your own hobbies and interests. Use the absence of TV time to model creative, constructive activities. If looking for fun family activities, try mapping out your family tree, playing board games or charades, making meals together, or trying new physical challenges (indoor rock climbing and neighborhood family soccer leagues).
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5. Give as a reward. You’re not unplugging entirely. My kids race to get dressed in the morning because the first one ready, with a clean room, made bed and brushed teeth, gets computer time. The other has to wait until after he eats breakfast. And then that’s it, no computer for the rest of the day. Once they start getting homework, we will give TV as a reward for finishing it well and eating dinner. It might sound like a bribe -- but I call it a reward.
Katie Bugbee is the senior managing editor and resident global parenting expert of Care.com. A busy working mother of two, she's an expert on many parenting dilemmas, from appeasing picky eaters to finding the perfect babysitter.
