My son spent a week last summer and 3 days this past week up at a friend’s cottage. They played boardgames, poker, hockey on the lake, jumped on the trampoline, and imagined up every kind of outdoor entertainment you can think of. Why? Because there are NO SCREENS allowed at the cottage. No TV, no DVDs, no PSP or Wii, or DS. None.
The crazy thing is that this family spent a whole summer up there last year and the No Screens rule was in effect. Two boys, 9 and 11, went the whole summer without screens. Isn’t that some sort of modern record? During the time my son spent at the cottage he learned a bunch of new games and is a pro at Texas Holdem’. When asked whether he missed the screens his answer was that they were too busy!
Don’t get me wrong, we do have screens at our house and we do have limits. We don’t really even need rules around them because my kids are so busy. Between playdates and competitive sports there is little time for screens. But I do take full advantage of a little screen down time when necessary and fully employ the DVD player in long rides in the car or the DS and PSP for some travel entertainment.
So, what is your take on screens? What is the philosophy in your house? Are you concerned about the amount of screen time your kids get? Or do you feel screens are simply part of the mix of entertainment in 2009? Share your thoughts in the comments below and you will be entered to win the new Disney Phineas and Ferb game for Nintendo DS.
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we rarely watch “tv” programing although we do watch movies together and such
until theres something decent on tv, none of us can be bothered
we get our news when its news, online, not three days later in the newspaper or on a day later on tv
we are avid readers and we tend to read alot of ebooks, mainly as we’ve depleted the books we are interested in at our small local library (when I win books I tend to give them to the library as its so small)
the kids so have portable games which is great when we go camping, as the trip is a 7 +hr drive (I tend to sleep thru it all lol)
our cell phones have no texting etc and are actually used for what they are meant for (and by that I mean not driving and talking)
when the power went out last time, we grabbed the monopoly board and played til we were scared the candles would go out lol
For the longest time I would not allow my daughter to have a DS, but about a year ago I finally gave in…I didn’t want her to be totally out of the loop at school~she’s eleven now and we are both more aware of “social norms”. I dislike that I gave in to peer pressure but…life certainly gets in the way in this case. That being said my daughter loves her DS and seems to use it without abusing it~she’s up at the cottage with her cousins and grandparents for the entire summer and is usually surrounded by a minimum of 6 girls-they are kept so busy with water sports, hiking,forts,wildlife that every now and then when a rockband competition is suggested they jump at the opportunity…we do theatre under the stars as well…but I think for the most part screens are something that are utilized when friends aren’t available!
My daughter is an only child and do find she spends a lot of time either watching TV or on the computer. We do try to limit her time but it sometimes can be difficult. We are trying to encourage new interests such as reading and piano.
We do have a lot of screens but we balance that out by providing a limit time to use them! We make sure everything is balanced….time outside playing, time playing with friends (indoors and outdoors) and then time playing games. I think they can all be fun and valuable experiences as long as there is a balance.
My children have always been so busy with dance lessons, band, baseball, gymnastics, homework and church activities that screens have never been an issue for us. I think televisions and computers in children’s rooms make them antisocial so our screens are all in common areas so we can enjoy them together. I love family movie nights where we take turns picking out a movie and making snacks for a nice evening together.
I see nothing wrong with screens as long as the content being shown is educational, even if that is social or emotional education (learning to be a good loser is a hard lesson to teach!), and especially if it is interactive. As long as you balance physical activity with mental activity – buy a Wii and meet the best of both worlds! – then I think it’s a wonderful thing,
My son has grown up with restrictions on screens so it’s not been too much of a problem. From Monday to Friday after school there are no video games allowed and limited TV time. Many times when he comes home from school on Friday he does his homework right away because then he has umlimited access to his play station and PSP… Of course he plays hockey, baseball, football, basketball, and rugby so there’s at least one game or a practice on Saturdays and Sundays…just so he doesn’t turn into a video Zombie. Other parents I’ve spoken to can’t believe that my son follows the no video games during the week rule. I just say that’s the rule and he wouldn’t dare break it or some lucky person would be getting a great deal for a play station bundle on Craig’s List. haha ( really not kidding)
I think kids spend too much time on screens of any form. Its incredibly hard to tear my son away from Television, internet, Nintendo DS, and the wii. We have limits because I am worried of the effect if we don’t . He still plays too much. I am glad to have read this though. You have given me some ideas.
A whole summer?? Wow. Between swimming, dancing & school. My girls don’t have to much time to watch tv. So, I do not have any rules about it. My older daughter has a DS but only really uses it in the car when we are going somewhere that might take a while to get to. I’ll be honest when I have had enough of the day I use the tv as down time for them so that I can either get stuff done or relax for a bit.
I feel that some time on the wii or computer or ipod or all the other electronic gadgets is ok. We make sure that we balance the kids’ time with other activities like playing outside in the snow, karate, swimming and more physical activities so they’re not just sitting around. I also am very particular about the kinds of games my kids can play – no blood, no guns, no excessive violence and I prefer the games that are more physical like bowling and tennis. Technology is something that is part of our lives and the kids have learned at a young age to use it so we should accept that it’s here to stay and just be careful about how they use it. I teach them that life isn’t just about sitting around playing video games and they understand that.
my kids are so busy with school and sports and friends , that when they want some down time to watch a movie or play a video game i am not to worried, they cant be go go all the time , so havent really had to place any limits yet, its just all about balance.
we have 7 people in are home and with 7 people we actually have 7 t.v.s 3 computers 2 ds 1 gameboy 1 wii plus more but in arehouse the children play alot outside do there choires and watch t.v. only when mommy lets them they are aloud to watch t.v. in there room for a little until bed time no t.v. at dinner time and outside time is a must for my kids they would rather go outside then stay inside so we don’t really need to have to much time i like the ds they play it for no more than an hour a day off and on the wii not really same with all the other game systems in myhome i think they are there more for the adults then the kids in my home
I am really struggling with this. My sons want tv and computer but it is a ongoing struggle with my wants for them- I wish they didn’t want it at all yet I can’t stop that and I am tire of the nagging. Whats a mom to do??
screens are useful…I wouldn’t be adding my comments right now without them
well, 4 kids, 2 ds, 1 gameboy and of course our computer with an endless amount of games, but they’re often a last resort. they’re so busy with other activities that i don’t feel the need to limit the time they spend playing on them – even kids need a break once in a while
WOW! That would be awesome. No screens for a week. I own my own business and work from home. If I went to the cottage, I would have to have my screens (my laptop & BlackBerry) with me. I can’t imagine coming back to 2100+ emails (I get about 300 a day), a stack of orders, and who knows what else. It would be nice to set a time limit. Mom can only work for 2-3 hours per day and then she too must follow the no screens rule!
I haven’t let my daughter sit in front of the computer for games yet, but she can watch some tv shows and DVDs. Handheld games are great for road trips though
Screens are useful in moderation. You need a mixture of other activities like sports,music lessons and church sponsored activities.
Nothing wrong with a few snakcs and a movie on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Or 20 minutes while we get dinner started. Our philosophy is everything in moderation.
Screens, screens and more screens. iPod’s, computers, dvd players, tv’s video games, where will it stop? My kids use them all the time. We usually don’t set limits with amount of time spent because the kids are busy with sports so we don’t have a lot of extra time. In the event we have to set boundaries it is usually for the TV or video games. Most of the time they spend on the computer is spent on homework or creating their own books/projects. I feel that they are taking over our lives and we need to step back and enjoy the simple pleasures.
My kids are still little (2 & 4), so it’s not too big an issue yet, but I am very aware of the amount of tv they (and I, for that matter) watch. We don’t have cable, so when we watch we need to put in a dvd, which is one factor in preventing the on-in-the-background thing from happening.
But I’m with you – we, too, have dvd’s in the car for very long trips, and I allow some time on the leapster, which at least offers some educational value.
Our kids are two boys 7 and 4. They earn time for their screens by cooperating. This involves getting ready for bed nicely, staying in bed, getting ready for school, listening on the bus. This system works very well.
I like the idea of no screens at the cottage at all though. I think I will try that this summer. I think it will really enrich their time at the lake.
I have one child, a 9 year old son,and I have 2 tvs, 1 computer,playstation, gamecube, ds, and a portable dvd player..yes, at times, I am overwhelmed by the amount of screentime my son has..but I try to limit it to so much each day..also if hes sick or a rainy or nasty day outside, of course, he`ll be having a bit more screen time..but if its a beautiful day out, I try to get him outside for some fresh air. Also, I think its a good idea to get involved in family nights( or days) such as board games, a walk or any other kind of family activity.. away from the screens. But sometimes, the screens are just inevitable!
We don’t limit screen time. My son plays games and watches tv in moderation by his own choice, so it works out well. If I thought he was doing too much screen time, I’d try to come up with more exciting things to do, rather than ban or limit it.
We have’nt had to limit screen time yet but I have had to limit the amount of time my 10 year old has on her DS she could play it for hours if you let her she plays it at inappropriate times when she is supposed to be getting ready for school or when she is supposed to be working on her homework we have had to take it away different times. I am lucky my kids like to be outside the only time they watch t.v. is if the weather is bad or if we are having family movie time.
Practice what you preach or at least don’t preach to the choir. If you limit for your child then you should also think about limiting for yourself. Afterall you are the one setting the example of what to do, instead of what not to do. focus on the positive and not the negative. discuss what good things/experiences can be gained by talking, playing, etc instead of why “screening” is bad. IMHO.
I am not against screens.Banning them makes them more desirable.What I do beleive is Balance.No child of mine is going to sit inside on a beautiful day and play video games.Much is learned though imaginative play,especially outdoors.Kids need to run and blow of steam,but there are times when watching tv,or a movie or playing games is appropriate.All supervised and limited.you can have some quality family time playing video games with your children(as long as your not a sore loser because the kids always manage to be better ath those games…bring on the checkers!)
I think that in 2009 we have to accept the fact that screens are part of the world now. Having 2 teens and 1 tween, screen time is all the time. We do limit time when it becomes a problem, but the fact that my girls can ryhme off entertaining facts of any kind, shows me that they are not just msging. They are able to add to conversations and talk about a wide variety of topics. Most of this info was picked up online….
Like everything in life — moderation is the key.
LAst year my daughter went away for the first time to summer Camp she too wan’t allowed any”screens” LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! what a wonderfull time they had!,,
In the Winter we up the TV entertainment Channels and don’t panic over to much time with “the Screens” However all used with moderation,,
Once the Summer hits all Tv Programs get reduced, and we are more often outside. Camping Fishing etc.. they may play there DS”S and Leapster while settling down for the nite, I try not to worry to much I feel we have a pretty good balance, I think Its harder for me to log off the computer then it is for them to Shut the TV off!
better to live life outside
than inside on the video game screen
it a good idea to give kids real life expirence not the game live
With 3 boys in rep soccer we don’t have a lot of free time for screens.
We got all of the boys DSs for Christmas so that they have something to do other than fight for our trips to their Nanas in Welland. I find my eldest plays his the most on his way to soccer, he plays his MP3 and DS and gets into a zone.
I am not crazy about the TV watching, but frankly if the three of them (remember all boys) can sit without fighting while Hanna Montana is on & I am preparing dinner and they can wind down from a day of school, much the same way adults use the TV shows to wind down after a long day at work.
In the summer we are always on the go with soccer every night I try to do activities or half day camps and we have a cool down time in the afternoons to rest up for the evening.
This being said all three boys have taken reading as their bed time routine and this is where I often find it difficult, to get them to turn off their lights as the clock is ticking to 10pm!
My son definately spends too much time on the computer, but eventually even he gets sick of it. I find my kids tell me “I’m bored” far more often when the TV is ON than when its off. If I hear that, its a sure sign I need to turn the TV off. Then they get up and actually DO something to get rid of their boredom!
I don’t have much trouble getting the children off tv, but I do getting my son off his DS. In the summer we are out and about more then in the winter, therefore less screen time.
We have all these modern entertainment providers, ie. tv, playstation, xbox, Nintendo DS too. Time use is limited on all these items. I have two young children, and I think it is important that they spend time away from screens. My two year old does not need tv, she needs me to entertain her, and teach her life skills. By limiting her tv time, she is now reading books back to her Dad, and I. She counts to 12, and sings her ABC’s. If she spent more time with the tv, than her parents I feel these achievements would not have happened. She is allowed 30 min. of tv time of my selection, while working on crafts.
I have to agree with retromusic. I too don’t have the money or time to go to the cottage. Although I would love to implement the no screen rule, for some of us single parents with three kids that is hard. We have 3 screens, 2 computers a laptop, a Wii, Playstation 2, 2 DS’ for on the go. Portable player and a v smile. Boy when you break it all down that is a lot. I do try for us to spend some quality time with each other by not spending it in front of the screen but with the different ages of the kids it is really hard. Since the weather is getting nicer I do plan on cutting down on the cable and getting out more. Wish me luck!
These new games are ingeneous and exciting for kids. I would love to share this with my grandchild, Amelie Isabelle
I agree that we have too many screens and kids need to be without them to experience “real” life.
hi, I am mother of two , daughter 7 and son 3.we have tv, psp, Ds and dvd everything in our house and limits on screen time too but theidea of no screen rule is so good! forget about the kids , I am not sure what me and my husband will do if there is a no screen rule.when kids go to bed at 8PM , either we are in front of the TV or working on computer{he on his laptop}. Even though we are congenial to each other’s desire to watch a certain programme and there are hardly any tassels on who should dominate the remote but still i have no clue what a no screen rule might do to us, but that is during our daily life of course if a vacation or cottage break comes up we schedule fun activities and there is no room for screens.but honestly its only feasible when we are out of our normal routine, thats what my thought is.
We don’t have screen rules at our house because I don’t think they are needed. My boys are good about tearing all around and playing but when they need to relax a little screen time is good. And I do think they can learn an awful lot from some of those shows and games. But there are definitely kids out there that need no screen rules. Some of them just glue to them.
If I win that DS game though there will be a 6 year old who will be glued to it for the first day. I always try and give a new game or movie when going on a long trip or when they are sick and need down time.
Screens are part of 2009. It’s just the way it is. The kids need sme exposure to them or they will not be able to stay with the times and keep up with what comes next. We don’t have set rules for them in our home as they are not abused. My kids are into other activities first, then homework, then comes TV and such. But mini DVD players and Ninetendo DS’s are amazing for travelling……..whatever keeps the kids quiet!
I don’t find a need to limit screen time – yet. We have lots of activities going on both in and out of the house, especially in the spring and summer months. I find we watch more TV, particularly movies in the winter months as is more difficult to be outdoors.
We have TV, computer, Nintendo DS and Xbox at home. However, we do not make it a habit to use it as a “baby sitter” to keep my daughter occupied. I have only one daughter, and she is 8. When we watch TV, we watch it together, and we choose topics that are educational, she loves TLC and Discovery channel, very seldom she actually flip it to YTV, which I think is a good thing because I do not want her to expose to too may youth shows that show typical youth bad attitudes.
During long trip on vacation, we do let her watch movie using our portable DVD in the car, but we have set a limit that is just for long trip only.
We play DS and Xbox together. Screens are just another family get together recreational tools for us.
I think screens are good thing if we do it together as a family, just that too many families are using screen as a tool to keep their kids occupied and so that the adult can do their own thing :-(.
I personally think that screens obsessed are caused by parenting style, because kids craved for activities and interaction, even teenager does (when my teenage niece comes to my house, she wants to play boardgame with us instead of watching TV), but if parents let them do nothing but watching TV and playing with computer of DS, that will be all they will end up dong. I have seen a lot of parents let their kids play with DS in the restaurant while waiting for food to serve, I do not let my daughter do that, because meal time should be a time of interaction, we all know what is going to happen when their head is burried in DS.
Being said that, I think we have to be flexible on situations, normally when we go for all you can eat buffet, which usually will takes us 2 hours to finish the whole meal, and if there are no other child to play and talk with her, I do let her play with DS after she finishes her meal.
Right now it’s not an issue, as both my children also keep themselves busy with other activities, but I do admit to keeping an eye on it.
I think we can use Screen Time to help us with the bigger things ahead – Booze and Sex Time. How we choose to help our kids regulate themselves to know how much is too much tv, dvd, wii is probably how we might handle Booze/Sex time. I know that the stakes are much higher with more teenage issues but the same principles probably apply.
For example, I really think that if you hold back everything then kids will crave it. They will also go underground and do it behind you back. I also want them to know what is too much so they learn to regulate themselves. I think my attitude is going to be exactly the same with sex and drinking – if I say absolutely not, the reality is that they are going to be doing it anyway so I want to help them with some tools. How much is too much beer? I know you are going to have sex at some point so should you be on the pill?
I’m not trying to say that something as innocent as tv should be compared to sex but my attitude about both is the same and hopefully I learn some consequences from tv that I can apply to the big stuff.
screens, yikes. I don’t know who would be more upset if we limited screen time. the kids or mom & dad. Living in northern alberta where snow & cold biting wind is the norm, screens are a major part of our days. How sad is that. Although our 6 year old son does LOVE lego he has to put it up alot due to his sister 2 and brother 8 mnth like it too. But hey we do have lego for the Wii. 🙂 “they can’t eat that mom.” Once spring finally comes and summer as well we are out and about alot with lots to fill our days but in the winter screens kinda fill our day just so we don’t kill each other 🙂
It’s pretty good in our house. My kids lots of outdoor time after school. On weekend we are at the cottage where they play board games. They like that as I will play with them. I guess screens are just part of entertainment these days, I find that in my house it has replaced the TV which is almost never watched.
I love the idea of no screens……especially on holidays with the family. But I have to admit in the car duing long rides I love when the kids have their DS’s, it saves me alot of grief. It’s also hard when my husband loves screen time 🙁 to say no to the kids.
i hope i win this for the kids
I L-O-V-E the no screens rule! It’s about time that we went back to the basics… I remember growing up and actually having fun in the summer at my Uncle’s farm, milking cows, picking eggs, tending to the garden, jumping from the barn attic onto a pile of hay bales and yes there were “no screens”… Now don’t get me wrong, I am a City Girl at heart but some of my best memories were being at the lake, inventing games, using my imagination. I have two sons ages 13 & 14 who are surrounded by every techno gadget out there. I try to limit usage as much as I can but it is definitely hard. The best advice I can give would be to limit the computer and video gaming to one hour a day. Let them start using their imaginations more, don’t make things so easily accessible, let them start thinking for themselves…
We are pretty lax about the limits the kids can use different screens in our household and there has never been a issue with it because the kids seem to know when they have reached their limits and turn to a book or go outside to play.
Our kids are pretty good
they normally only play on the weekends
I can’t stand when I see people out for dinner as a family and everyone has they face glued to a screen. Parents on the blackberry kids with thier games
So that is a rule no games at the table ever…
Screens, screens and more screens. Nintendo DS, PSP, TV’s, Blackberry and Apple iPods (with kiddie games loaded). Not to mention XBox and Wii. Where does it all end? Once they got into the house, there was no way of getting them out. It was like they grew roots and really dug in deep. My boys are very active and I try to keep them busy during the week with various other activities. In our house there is absolutely no video game play time during school nights. Weekends, however, are a different story. We regard the weekends (a few hours anyway) as our down and ‘veg out’ time. In come video games. They are fun to play and a good release. Its great when we can all play together as well.
When used constructively, screens can be a great addition to the family lifestyle.
Without having the money/time to escape to a cottage, do any other moms have suggestions on how to wean off toddlers from their screen time?
I’m a very frazzled mom who resorts to plopping my two kiddies down in front of their favourite DVD so that I could escape to the other room to cook/clean/laundry or just reach out to other grown-ups via various social networking tools.
Luckily, my household screentime hasn’t included the portable gaming systems, but I figure that once they start school, it’s just around the corner
At our house we have 2 boys 2 tvs, 1 DS, 1 leapster, 1 leapster for TV, one PS2, 1 computer, 1 portable DVD for the van, and 2 blackberries. Yikes!
Though the boys, who are 5 and 1, don’t live for screen time, we find that the DVD and DS are very useful for long car rides (at least until they fall asleep).
Mostly, though, they are interested in doing other things and screen time is a fallback.
I’m with the others that don’t have limits, but have no problem issuing them if screen time becomes the activity of choice most of the time.
we have 2 computers, 4 tvs, Wii, 2 DS, and numerous other older video game machines. But suprisingly we dont have to limit them. IF its nice outside the kids are clamoring to go out and play with friends. Most TV and video game time is as a family watching a movie or playing some kind of 4 player game. Except when they bring out the DS then its them showing us how to play.
Summer isnt to bad they get their cartoon in the morning with breakfast before going to fun in the park or fishing or whatever it is we have going in. IT was bad at one point with my daughter, but now that there are kids who live close it is no longer a real issue.
I sit on the fence when it comes to screens, we have every possible one that can be had at our house and the children each have their own, however my teenager who suffers from depression, this is her way of communicating with others, my preteen, who does go outside on weekends, her friends usually do not go out during the school week, so this is something for her to use to communicate with others also. For me personally, I live on my laptop, basically and my hubby is glued to his tv and gaming systems.
I do like to go for walks and go outside and read in the nice weather, I don’t watch TV very much (maybe 1 hour a month), but due to limited mobility, I cannot participate in all the activities I used to do and love. So, yes screens are good in some ways, but in other ways, they make us less active which can be detrimental to our health.
We let the kids do what they want during down time, but try very hard to take them outside daily (depending on weather) or play board games instead. My kids get a good balance, and video games are a privilege that is first to be taken away when they mess up!
Let’s see…we have 2 boys, 3 Game Boys, 1 PSP, 1 Wii, 3 computers, 2 tv’s, and 2 blackberrys (that have kids games loaded). A scary inventory. The limits seem to be getting harder to enforce, especially these days, now that the boys have discovered the Runes game via the internet. Is anyone else sick of this game?
To fight back, not only are there no screens allowed at our cottage, but my husband also refused to allow a dvd player installed in our latest car purchase, in spite of the fact that it would provide entertainment for our 2-hour trip to and from the cottage every weekend. “We will talk in the car,” he said. And we do. We covered the war in Lebanon and all tried to understand the mid-east political issues together – that was good for an entire trip to the cottage. We decided on a name for our puppy – that was good for about 3 car trips. We tried to distinguish between the platforms of the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP in the last federal election. Oh, and also the Green party. We talked about interest rates, cows and hay, wills, the virtures of laptops vs desktopsk, our favourite foods, activities and movies, etc. etc. We read 7 Harry Potter books. When my voice finally gave way from reading so much, I discovered audiobooks. Now I download novels onto my iPod and plug it into the car. Its techology, but not a screen!!!!
I’m with Kath – limits are imposed when it becomes a problem. My 2 girls rarely play video games, and tv is a default activity when there isn’t anything more interesting to do. My boys are a different story – for my older one video games are a social activity with a good buddy, but when his marks dipped a bit he removed the offending items from his room on his own accord. For my younger one, video games provide the mental stimulation he needs and is hard to provide any other way. When we cut him off from them completely as a punishment, he became almost unbearable. However, he would play all day if I would let him, but his behaviour when he turned it off would be awful. So I impose a limit on his screen time because he needs it – the others don’t. It depends entirely on the child. I love it when we go camping – we read books and play games and have no screens along at all.
I have a hard time screen time limitations for several reasons. My students, most of which are new to the country, do not speak english very well an in some cases the computer is the only refuge they have from a world they do not understand. My children have limitations on the amount of time they can watch tv, 30 minutes in the morning an 1 hour before bed. Webkinz is allowed instead of TV, during the summer we spend most of our time at our very rustic cottage, playing soccer, t ball, swimming lessons etc. This is our normal routine, BUT lets say its a snow day, or one of the kids is under the weather, or we have nothing to do meaning no committments…then yes my children and I will watch tv till our brains fall out, eat popcorn drink hot chocolate …..the question I ask myself is what will my children remember, me nagging them about turning off the TV or the times we sat together and laughed together about what happened when Candance has squirrels in her pants…seriously have you seen it, I laughed so hard it hurt!
3 people-
*5 TVs
*6 Computers
*1 PSP
But until last summer there were no TVs at the cottage, and rarely any computers.
I caved for the Olympics and the political conventions. Now I’m wondering how to get it out!
We actually do that every year, at our cabin in Christina Lake. We actually have no running water, as well, as our cabin in now over 90 years old. We have to boil water for dishes and baths and laundry. We have to hike to the outhouse for all those fun times. We have a radio and electricity and before mom would never allow anything except the postage stamp tv with rabbit ears that can only get one channel. We now have cell phone that can get reception, but before we relied on neighbours in case of emergency. I do miss hot showers but its amazing the fun we have without it. Before the boat and all the wakeboarding adventures, getting pulled in the canoe while standing atop an inner tube was the highlight of watersports at the cabin. I find it refreshing and its probably one the only places I can finish books in a day.
Wow, a whole summer screenless, that’s amazing!
I find as the kids get older, they do tend to get more sucked into the screen thing. I’ll admit, we do have several screen options, and we have had to begin to limit the screen time, especially for my son. We’ve had some battles already about it, but I think in the long run, it is important that he doesn’t get addicted. I don’t mind him playing the Wii so much as usually it can involve us and his sister.
I’m with LoriD. We don’t limit screen time unless it starts to become an issue. Right now my kids see their screen time activities as sort of second-best…like, if you can’t arrange a playdate and it’s not nice enough to go outside and jump on the trampoline, then, well, okay, I’ll play DS or watch TV.
But I have a friend whose daughter is screen-obsessed. If she’s visiting, I have to make sure not to let her near the TV, computer, Wii or a DS, or she will spend the whole time just mesmerized. The last time I suggested a playdate with her, my daughter said, “I don’t want to because all she ever does is play DS or watch TV – she even missed most of her sister’s birthday party because she was playing DS!” So there are some kids out there who need to be monitored and to have their screen time limited.
I admit that we have a lot of screens in our house. Like you, we don’t really feel the need to limit them, as they’re busy enough with other activities. We’ve done the “screens free” weeks through school and have not found it to be a challenge. Watching a little tv/playing a little DS is sometimes relaxing for them and the Wii has been a great form of family entertainment.