Screen Time Schedule for KIDS
Are Screens Taking Over Your Summer?
We can’t go anywhere, we can’t play with our friends, school is out and the SCREENS are ON!! Is this how it seems at your house? Well at my house, the tv is the sun and my 6 little planets just revolve around it! And as good as the TV is at being a babysitter, it gives me too much “mom guilt”.
I knew I wanted the kids to do other things, but I DIDN’T want to entertain them 24/7. So, I made up a list of things they should get done before any screens can be turned on. I also dedicated screen-free times during the day.
I just wanted to share what we do in case you need a fresh idea.
Note: It’s not perfect. I know that this schedule still leaves my kids with A LOT of screen time, but it works for us… for now. My “mom guilt” has definitely lessened.
Easier than Photoshop!
I discovered this app recently called Canva and it is so fun to play around with. It is a graphic design app that is very user friendly. I’ve only scratched the surface, I’m sure, of the possibilities available there. It’s so easy to create logos, website banners, FB or IG posts, etc. Plus it’s FREE!
Our Command Center
I made these little posters on Canva and sent them to Staples to be printed for a couple bucks. Totally worth it. The kids like looking at it because it’s cute and the colors are bright. The pictures help my little one who can’t read yet. And they’re just posted by our family command center where it’s easy to see and be reminded of the new rules.
To Do Before Morning Screens
To Do Before Afternoon Screens
To Do Before Evening Screens
Let Me Explain...
“Zoom” means pickup, tidy, put things away, etc. So, when it says “Zoom Room” it means to tidy it up and put things where they belong. That’s what my mom called it, that’s what we call it.
“Get Smarter” might need explaining too. Instead of “school work” which we don’t really have anymore or “summer school” which only 1 kid has, I chose a broad assignment of “get smarter”. What I mean is, let the kids decide what they want to learn about, or something new to try. It’s a personal choice and I’m here to guide them, not do it all for them. For example, my 8-yr-old just learned how to properly use a pocket knife. My 17-yr-old is learning how to forge metal and has made his own forge in the backyard! My 4-yr-old needs to learn how to fold clothes, so we’ll do that together. My 11-yr-old spent her time practicing the 50 states and capitals that she learned in school last year. And so we spend a little time each day learning and being creative.
“Kitchen Duty” haha, I’ll make another blog post about that soon.
Notice every afternoon the kids get a “Cleaning assignment.” I just started to keep a list on my fridge of things I need to get done. For example: complete a load of laundry, clean baseboards, clean out the van… I can think of a lot of little “hot spots” around the house and yard for the kids to clean or organize. I just keep the list up on the fridge and the kids can pick which one they want to do. (It’s such a good feeling when the kids tell YOU which job they want to do for you!)
I hope you all can get those screens under control this summer. And maybe get some “me” time too. Take care of yourselves and “bloom where you’re planted!” 🌸 🌵
Love Rach
