Would those of you who have key-board aged children please share with me what your limits are for kids on the computer? How much time do your kids spend doing non-school-related things on it? Do you set a timer? Do you use computer time as a reward for good school work, good attitude, good behavior? Do you count internet time separate from time spent doing other things on the computer, such as games, school work, etc? Do your kids see computer time as a right or a privilege?
Here is what I am up against. Back in the dark ages, when we had dial-up, our girls were allowed to be online for 20 minutes at a time. Then they had to disconnect and check the phone to be sure there were no messages from someone trying to reach us. They were allowed three of those 20-minutes sessions most days. But now that we have DSL we have totally lost track of time spent wandering around in cyberspace. I drives me crazy to see them glued to the monitor doing nothing. The computer monitor has taken the place of the TV screen, which we don't even have. If I wasn't such an addict, myself, I would be all for getting rid of it altogether. We need to instill some self-discipline here...
We do watch the time they spend on the computer very closely. I don't always use an actual timer, but I do watch the time. The kids are never allowed to go on the computer or any other electronic thing without asking first. So it never 'sneaks' up on us, they ask and we either say yes or no and if we say yes, we watch the amount of time they are on. They do have computer time for school, and that is totally different time for me, because it's educational things then. I do like Sarah blogging because it helps with her grammar and typing skills, though I don't count it as schooling at all. I just think it helps.
ReplyDeleteSorry this was so long. I hope that helps a little. :)
JoAnn
We do have limits. My youngin's (teenager included) get 3 hours total game time a week. Whether it's game cube or computer games, online games, that's the limit (we don't do much TV, either, actually near zip, it's just movies on occasion). But, my husband is a programmer, so they all have computer class, particularly my freshman, who is learning to do Flash Animation.
ReplyDeleteToday, though, he didn't have class, and wanted to do some Flash. We had taken half the day off to go play with friends, and he still came home and finished today's school, so I felt he earned it.
It is totally a privilege, however, and one my youngest son is missing out on right now, until some things change. Even Flash class is out. And Hubby agrees.
That's how we try to do it.
Janelle
Well, you probably know most of this already, but our girls get 45 min/day each for recreational computer (blogging/games). They take my green pepper kitchen timer with them to the computer each time, set it themselves, and when the pepper goes off, so do they - they can finish a comment, but gotta make it snappy. :) Their school work is additional time on the computer, but usually only about 30 minutes/3 times a week. We haven't used it as a reward for good attitude, etc., but I can see now that they have come to view it as a right/entitlement, as when they don't get their time in because of busy schedules/not home, I am seeing some pouting & winning. But I usually remind them that I didn't get my time in either and that puts an end to it - so far.
ReplyDeleteI don't monitor probably as closely as I should what they write, but when I do view their posts, it's fun to see how they are growing in their social skills and also helps me with knowing where they need imporvement in spelling. I continually encourage them to be a blessing to others and I can see where they have been improving in that area - thinking of others vs. selfishness (character development). Woohoo.
Yes , this is a challenge. I do put time limits on the boys. I let them on a game Fri, Sat, and Sun for 30 min. each child for each of the three days. Other than that they are only allowed school related things or blogging. I try to use it as a privilege after their work is done. It is still a tug of war even with it being like this for a looooooooooong time. ( sorry to say) They always want ....... more. Thanks for your sweet comments and signing my guest book. [0=
ReplyDeleteGod Bless my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
Hi Sally~
ReplyDeleteAt our house, each person gets 30 minutes a day for "free" computer time. (We don't include the time that they are doing research on the internet or typing something for a school project in this time.)
We have a small egg-timer positioned smack-dab on the counter next to the computer screen - right in plain sight! The rule is that each child may take his/her 30 minutes all at once or split it up into two 15 minute intervals. If they get on the computer and forget to set the timer, the minute they are"busted" , their time is up and they forfeit any remaining time.
We don't give computer time as a reward, but it is definitely a privilege. It they abuse it - they lose it. During the summer months we did extend each one's time form 30 minutes to 60. But now that we are back in the school mode, the computer time for them returns to 30 minutes per day. There are SO many wonderful books to read, for heavens sake! And what about that cabinet downstairs full of drawing paper, markers, glitter, glue sticks, press-on flowers, old magazines, paints and stencils...and the list goes on! I can think of a million things to do other than be on the computer. Guess I'd better get off now, huh?
Hope this is a help. Good luck!
Blessings~
Pam