Trade Screen Time for Together Time
Lynda Fassa
This summer was fairly relaxing and unstructured for my brood. With the exception of a couple of weekends away, we opted for a home-improvement-themed staycation instead of a big trip. And while all that time in the house guaranteed a well-rested start to the school year, it also fed some bad habits.
Time and time again, I’d find my kids -- and sometimes myself -- in front of one screen or another. Between video games, multi-tasking cell phones, television and computers, it sometimes seemed impossible to tear ourselves away from the magic flat-screens. But research and common sense says that too much is, well, too much.
Kids need one-on-one interaction with the people who love them the most -- their parents -- to be healthy and happy. If your family isn’t used to limits on screen time, it helps to come up with some guidelines. And remember: Adults will also benefit from time away from screens.
Try these super-simple ways to unplug and reconnect:
Choose a realistic amount of screen time for each of your kids and be prepared to enforce these limits daily.
Designate area in the home for screen-free activities. (Remember, the goal of less screen time is to have more time together.) If you don't have a whole room, even the kitchen table will do just fine.
Schedule regular family nights (with no TV!). Stock up on age-appropriate games and activities that emphasize fun over competition. My family likes Jenga, Guess Who?, jigsaw puzzles and classic card games.
You're not limited to sitting down! Get creative and get active. A game of charades is often hilarious and memorable. Or you can head outside for a family hike, relay race or bike ride.
Lynda Fassa is the founder of Green Babies, an organic-cotton baby clothing company, and the author of two books (Green Babies, Sage Moms and Green Kids, Sage Families).
Available at Amazon.com:
Cookoff: Recipe Fever in America
Organized Kidz: E-Z Solutions for Clutter-Free Living
Sara Snow's Fresh Living: The Essential Room-by-Room Guide to a Greener, Healthier Family and Home
- Go Green and Save Money
- Yoga for Families
- Trade Screen Time for Together Time
- Family Dinners Help Fight Obesity
- Autumn-only Activities for Fall Fun
- Parents Guide to Playing Pretend
- Planet-friendly Parties
- The Right Job at the Right Time
- Reeling in the Parents
- Take a Magical History Tour
- Go Camping and Bring the Kids
- On-the-road Rx: Family Vacation Safety Tips
- Why Take Responsibility When You Can Sue?
- Why Non-Parents Are Happier Than Parents
- Be a Green Teen
- Enjoy Breakfast as a Family
- Planning Family Summer Vacations on a Budget
- Sharing a Room With a Sibling
- Have a Safe Trip
- Summer Activities for Kids
- Have a Healthy Vacation
- 6 Ways to Keep Family From Derailing Your Career
- Dressing Your Children on a Budget
- Top 5 Ways to Never Waste Food Again
- Stretch Your Family Meals
- Get Your Kitchen Cleaner Quicker
- Taking the Kids to a Broadway Musical
- Sunscreen Facts You Need to Know
- Internet Safety Tips for Teens
- Hosting a Successful Yard Sale
- Family Sunday Supper or Any Other Time
- Small Changes to Get out of Debt and Save Money
- Marriage Hopes on a Tightrope
- To Market The Farmers Market
- Keep Your House Spring-clean
- Creative Ways to Combine Work & Family
- Giving Mom Best Mother's Day Present She's Ever Had
- Show Mom You Love Her!
- Water Explorers
- Make Cleaning Fun and Get the Kids to Help Too
- Home Cleanup Shortcuts
- The Great Neighborhood Cook-off
- Family Room Clutter Busters
- 7 Steps to a Toxin-free Home
- Secrets to Money-saving Meals
- Growing a Family Garden
- How to Rush-proof Your Morning Routine
- Circus Games Backyard Big Top
- Ready, Set, Scavenge!
- How to Create a Crafty Home
- Brush With the Stars: Family Night out That's Free!
- Stress-free Birthday Bashes
- How to Raise Caring Kids
- Teenagers Testing My Patience
- Moms: Stop Kids Fears Before They Start
- Games for Building Better Family Bonds
- How to Organize and Store Vital Family Documents
- Battling Over Bedtimes? Not Anymore
- De-stress Your Mornings
- Giving Kids a Creative Edge
- New Twists on Family Game Night
- 4 Ways to Make Dinnertime Work
- Sibling Warfare? Stay Neutral
- Raise a Smart Spender
- Money for Something?
- Sick-day Strategies for Keeping Kids Entertained
- Sync With Your Spouse on Discipline Style
- What Kind of Parent Are You?
Copyright © 2010 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.