I think that every parent needs to decide what is right for their family when it comes to media and technology. What works for my kids might not work for yours and vice versa. I can’t dictate to you how to raise your kids anymore than you can dictate the same thing to me. Each family and each child is unique and should be treated as individuals. Of course, parents should set the standard for the types of shows they allow their children to watch or games they allow their child to play and web sites they allow their child to access. A child left to his or her own devices won’t make the best decisions regarding media and technology unless the parents have given them guidelines and instructions. Active involved parenting is the best answer.
In our home, computers and video games and tv may not be turned on until 4pm when homework is done. Our computers have a program installed that allows me to see what websites my kids visit and how long they stay at each one. So far, You Tube is the only site I won’t let my kids visit without my permission based on their web surfing history. During the week I don’t set time limits, but I do require that they play outside from 5 – 6 before we eat dinner. The only tvs in our home that are connected to satellite are in my room and in my 10 year old son’s room. His tv is locked down with so many parental controls that pretty much he watches Man vs. Wild, Unwrapped or How It’s Made. The weekends are a different story, though. The tv still has parental controls, but Sponge Bob and Cartoon Network are available each day. I have found that for my kids if I am too strict about “screen” time, they fight me more than if I leave it up to them. They get bored sitting and staring a screen for hours on end. So they get up and play their own versions of Blue’s Clues or Sponge Bob. (Shh, my 10 year old might get embarrassed that I mentioned he plays Blue’s Clues with his 5 and 7 year old sisters). I guess I am fortunate there and I would like to think it is partly because I did something right as a parent raising them to be responsible time managers.
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I really appreciate how you point out that you can't tell anyone else how to parent, just like they shouldn't tell you. I think that's hugely important. Sounds like you have some very good controls available to you too. I'm going to have to look into the program that tracks their web usage as that gets more prevalent in my own household.
ReplyDeleteI like the media after homework is done. I also liked how you mentioned that you can't dictate how people should parent because many people think that they should tell you what to do and how to do it. I agree that every household is different and what works for one may not work for another.
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