We have a constant battle in our house...over device time.
Of course, everyone else in school gets full access 24/7 to their devices and gets to play and do whatever they want and whenever they want.
We are such mean and different parents, aren't we?
I am sure its the same story in your house too.
If not about device time, something else totally unfair and "unique" to punish just your child!
So, in yet another effort to reduce nagging and arguing I created a simple chart to lay out what is expected of the rugrats before they can go hog wild on Animal Jam, Mindcraft, texting, Teen Titans, Go!, You Tube etc...
Now, my kids are 5, 8 and 11 so these are all things they are capable of doing and are expected to do. However, sometimes they sneak under my nose and skip out on most because there is no real check system.
I mean, afternoons are hectic around here. If we don't have an activity to get to we come home and have a snack. Riley(11) goes off to read and Mollie(8) gets distracted by all of the pets. Taylor (5) tries to get started on her homework without me, well, because she knows more than the rest of us right now. So wrangling them all in to do what needs to be done isn't always easy. Half the time I find myself digging through backpacks for things I need to sign, unpacking their lunchboxes to make sure there isn't a lonely melting cheesestick, picking up their dirty socks and shoes and making 8 different snacks for them while they are off on their devices with homework left undone and stacks of clean, folded laundry sitting on their floors for days.
Ain't Nobody Got Time For That!
My goal is to have the 'big kids' take care of their responsibilities on their own so that I can spend more time helping Taylor complete her tasks, with proper direction.
This chart should also help us with the dreaded Friday afternoon and/or Saturday morning clean up.
As a mom, I feel guilty that they have been cooped up in school all day to come home and do more homework and housework instead of play. But I know that they need the discipline, for the future if nothing else. So my solution is to lay out these expectations (the chart) in plain sight, for all to see so that they understand what needs to be done so they can have their freedom.
Will it work out?
Time will tell!
Wish me luck!
**Do you have a 'system' for completing homework and chores before going on devices or do your kids have unlimited access? Comment below so we can all learn from each other!
"It takes a village..."
