What do you kids DO?
Discussion
Question for the other parents here I guess.
We've got two kids both under 10, they seem to have some interests and activities but they also seem to spend an awful lot of time stuck infront of a screen - especially at this time of the year when its cold, dark and crap outside.
So what is not enough / what is too much? And what do your kids do at home to distance them from constant screen time?
9 year old
Plays for a local football team
trains one night a week
has a match one day at the weekend.
Swimming lessons - one night after school
Junior Parkrun when it doesn't clash with football.
Reads every evening at bedtime.
But will still happily rack up 6 hours of screen time in a day at the weekend. Or on the non-club nights in the week sit on his playstation from when he gets home to almost bedtime.
6 year old
Swimming lesson one night per week
Football club after school one night
Mulitsport club after school one night.
We've got two kids both under 10, they seem to have some interests and activities but they also seem to spend an awful lot of time stuck infront of a screen - especially at this time of the year when its cold, dark and crap outside.
So what is not enough / what is too much? And what do your kids do at home to distance them from constant screen time?
9 year old
Plays for a local football team
trains one night a week
has a match one day at the weekend.
Swimming lessons - one night after school
Junior Parkrun when it doesn't clash with football.
Reads every evening at bedtime.
But will still happily rack up 6 hours of screen time in a day at the weekend. Or on the non-club nights in the week sit on his playstation from when he gets home to almost bedtime.
6 year old
Swimming lesson one night per week
Football club after school one night
Mulitsport club after school one night.
Over the years for my two;
Swimming x 2
Guitar lessons
Dancing
Cubs
Scouts
Rainbows
Brownies
Guides
Rangers
Football team (nearly 9 seasons now)
Then the non-organised stuff of mountain and jump biking up Rivelin Valley here in Sheffield.
Only the football now really. I'm hopelessly bored and weekends are a serious problem to be honest.
Swimming x 2
Guitar lessons
Dancing
Cubs
Scouts
Rainbows
Brownies
Guides
Rangers
Football team (nearly 9 seasons now)
Then the non-organised stuff of mountain and jump biking up Rivelin Valley here in Sheffield.
Only the football now really. I'm hopelessly bored and weekends are a serious problem to be honest.
Mine is an only child, 7 year old girl.
She does Brownies, gymnastics, swimming, school, but yeah it's hard keeping her away from a screen now she's found out about the joys of Youtube and Netflix.
Doesn't help there's no sibling to play with, so dark nights and rainy weekends etc are tough to keep her entertained as she always wants to watch tv.
Junior Parkrun might be a good shout, but I'm in for more ideas.
She does Brownies, gymnastics, swimming, school, but yeah it's hard keeping her away from a screen now she's found out about the joys of Youtube and Netflix.
Doesn't help there's no sibling to play with, so dark nights and rainy weekends etc are tough to keep her entertained as she always wants to watch tv.
Junior Parkrun might be a good shout, but I'm in for more ideas.
Over the years my two girls have done loads of clubs and sports but it all became too much, they were constantly tired so now it's just netball a couple of times a week (training during the week, matches at weekends) and Brownies / Guides.
We are quite strict with screen time though - no more than a couple of hours a day max. Neither has a phone, they don't have access to social media, they don't get to watch youtube (including the kids version). I encourage them to play with toys, draw / colour and go outside to play, sometimes regardless of the weather.
We are quite strict with screen time though - no more than a couple of hours a day max. Neither has a phone, they don't have access to social media, they don't get to watch youtube (including the kids version). I encourage them to play with toys, draw / colour and go outside to play, sometimes regardless of the weather.
Gary29 said:
Mine is an only child, 7 year old girl.
She does Brownies, gymnastics, swimming, school, but yeah it's hard keeping her away from a screen now she's found out about the joys of Youtube and Netflix.
Doesn't help there's no sibling to play with, so dark nights and rainy weekends etc are tough to keep her entertained as she always wants to watch tv.
Junior Parkrun might be a good shout, but I'm in for more ideas.
lucky she hasnt discovered roblox, hundreds of games aimed at young girls like thisShe does Brownies, gymnastics, swimming, school, but yeah it's hard keeping her away from a screen now she's found out about the joys of Youtube and Netflix.
Doesn't help there's no sibling to play with, so dark nights and rainy weekends etc are tough to keep her entertained as she always wants to watch tv.
Junior Parkrun might be a good shout, but I'm in for more ideas.
https://www.roblox.com/games/15101393044/Dress-To-...
the grand daughter (6) totally zones out in them you can shout her name next to her and she wont hear you lol
10 and 8 year olds.
No phone or tablet for them, so screen time is
- an hour of TV before we eat the evening meal
- film night every Saturday
- 15mins of screen time for homework
Swimming, Beavers / Cubs, music lessons in evenings.
Spend their own time playing with Lego etc, sylvanian families / rainbocorns (!) or sometimes with each other.
We get them out at least once a weekend to play parks or national trusts / parks / out on their bikes, moreso in summer.
Card games, board games, marble runs, rc cars, colouring and crafts, our youngest likes baking.
Undoubtably we spend a lot more time playing with them than most of my friends and peers, and they constantly want more screen time, but we think it’s better to limit it.
Otherwise the house would just sound like a games arcade whenever they were home and we’d only ever see the back of their heads.
On a journey we play audio books or I-spy. Rather than stuff them with cherryade and sweets while they binge watch peppa pig and danger mouse til they barf.
A colleague has just bought his 2 year old her first tablet, he proudly told us. WTF?
No phone or tablet for them, so screen time is
- an hour of TV before we eat the evening meal
- film night every Saturday
- 15mins of screen time for homework
Swimming, Beavers / Cubs, music lessons in evenings.
Spend their own time playing with Lego etc, sylvanian families / rainbocorns (!) or sometimes with each other.
We get them out at least once a weekend to play parks or national trusts / parks / out on their bikes, moreso in summer.
Card games, board games, marble runs, rc cars, colouring and crafts, our youngest likes baking.
Undoubtably we spend a lot more time playing with them than most of my friends and peers, and they constantly want more screen time, but we think it’s better to limit it.
Otherwise the house would just sound like a games arcade whenever they were home and we’d only ever see the back of their heads.
On a journey we play audio books or I-spy. Rather than stuff them with cherryade and sweets while they binge watch peppa pig and danger mouse til they barf.
A colleague has just bought his 2 year old her first tablet, he proudly told us. WTF?
I don't have a problem with screen time if they are OK in other respects.
Like most addictions it's only really a problem if it's getting in the way of life. And also screen time isn't inherently evil, it's just a tool. my kid will happily search YouTube for art and craft tutorials and follow them up much as I would do with DIY.
If a child is vulnerable to passing up social activity to spend endless hours into non-productive screen time, then I think that the root of the problem is probably somewhere a little bit more uncomfortable to excavate
Every generation blames tools for maladaptive behaviours of kids. At some point it was the written word.
Like most addictions it's only really a problem if it's getting in the way of life. And also screen time isn't inherently evil, it's just a tool. my kid will happily search YouTube for art and craft tutorials and follow them up much as I would do with DIY.
If a child is vulnerable to passing up social activity to spend endless hours into non-productive screen time, then I think that the root of the problem is probably somewhere a little bit more uncomfortable to excavate
Every generation blames tools for maladaptive behaviours of kids. At some point it was the written word.
I introduced my boy to shadowing me in car restoration and general mechanics, including engine building, when he was around 5 - not only was it a fantastic bonding experience that i will never forget he obviously loved it and is now an apprentice engineer.
He did go through the play station thing for a bit but was always happiest when taking things apart and doing things with his hands, and brain, so I would determine where their natural interests lie and steer them in that direction.
I suspect that play stations, and screen based activities, are simply a convenient displacement activity for many children simply because they exist.
He did go through the play station thing for a bit but was always happiest when taking things apart and doing things with his hands, and brain, so I would determine where their natural interests lie and steer them in that direction.
I suspect that play stations, and screen based activities, are simply a convenient displacement activity for many children simply because they exist.
On holiday last summer (we stayed in a hotel rather than our usual villa) I was genuinely astonished at some of the "parenting" I witnessed. Our kids seemed to be the only ones who didn't have an ipad infront of them while they ate chicken nuggets and chips for every meal, being completely ignored by their parents. Our girls love trying new foods and actually engage in conversation at a dinner table. Seems to be a thing of the past.
Dan_1981 said:
Question for the other parents here I guess.
We've got two kids both under 10, they seem to have some interests and activities but they also seem to spend an awful lot of time stuck infront of a screen - especially at this time of the year when its cold, dark and crap outside.
So what is not enough / what is too much? And what do your kids do at home to distance them from constant screen time?
9 year old
Plays for a local football team
trains one night a week
has a match one day at the weekend.
Swimming lessons - one night after school
Junior Parkrun when it doesn't clash with football.
Reads every evening at bedtime.
But will still happily rack up 6 hours of screen time in a day at the weekend. Or on the non-club nights in the week sit on his playstation from when he gets home to almost bedtime.
6 year old
Swimming lesson one night per week
Football club after school one night
Mulitsport club after school one night.
I don't think that sounds too bad to be honest. Mine are all grown up now but I don't recall them having more than one (maybe two) activities per week (kickboxing, judo, basketball).We've got two kids both under 10, they seem to have some interests and activities but they also seem to spend an awful lot of time stuck infront of a screen - especially at this time of the year when its cold, dark and crap outside.
So what is not enough / what is too much? And what do your kids do at home to distance them from constant screen time?
9 year old
Plays for a local football team
trains one night a week
has a match one day at the weekend.
Swimming lessons - one night after school
Junior Parkrun when it doesn't clash with football.
Reads every evening at bedtime.
But will still happily rack up 6 hours of screen time in a day at the weekend. Or on the non-club nights in the week sit on his playstation from when he gets home to almost bedtime.
6 year old
Swimming lesson one night per week
Football club after school one night
Mulitsport club after school one night.
However we lived in a street with lots of other kids the same age so they'd always be out playing football or on their bikes or on the playing field near us. This was about 20 years ago and i think that seems to happen a lot less nowadays.
11yo Girl.
She's got football training every Thursday evening and matches every Sunday morning, most are being cancelled at the moment because of the state of the pitches (the boys get the option of 3G pitches.... but that's a whole other argument).
Only since she started High School has she shown any interest in screens, even then she'll lose her phone a couple of times a day because she's left it somewhere, it's not permanently attached to her which is nice.
When we have the day light She's much happier in the garden whacking footballs at her goals, or the basket ball hoop, her scooter or skateboard. She'll come Mountain Biking with me whenever she can.
I can't say I've got any great insight into parenting as to why she's happier playing outdoors and not on her phone / xbox, just who she is. Whilst the weather is s
t she'll play Roblox for hours with her friends, they all get on a whatapp call and play the same game. I listen in sometimes, it's quite sweet and very collaborative, no greifing or rage quitting or whatever the kids say these days.
She's got football training every Thursday evening and matches every Sunday morning, most are being cancelled at the moment because of the state of the pitches (the boys get the option of 3G pitches.... but that's a whole other argument).
Only since she started High School has she shown any interest in screens, even then she'll lose her phone a couple of times a day because she's left it somewhere, it's not permanently attached to her which is nice.
When we have the day light She's much happier in the garden whacking footballs at her goals, or the basket ball hoop, her scooter or skateboard. She'll come Mountain Biking with me whenever she can.
I can't say I've got any great insight into parenting as to why she's happier playing outdoors and not on her phone / xbox, just who she is. Whilst the weather is s
t she'll play Roblox for hours with her friends, they all get on a whatapp call and play the same game. I listen in sometimes, it's quite sweet and very collaborative, no greifing or rage quitting or whatever the kids say these days. Dan_1981 said:
And what do your kids do at home to distance them from constant screen time?
Not much, with the first one we tried to put limits in place, screentime locks etc, the problem is we couldn't really offer anything else. It's pretty rare to find a kid who likes books etc that much, some do. In hindsight expecting a kid to entertain themselves without a screen when it's cold, wet and dark out. When I was that age I was either watching TV or playing BMX Bandits on my C64 plugged into a 14" portable TV in my room.
I purposely avoid booking any weekend class/clubs as I view the weekend as our / family time, but their weekday activities includes the following:
Swimming class (evening)
Netball (AM school club)
Gymnastics (PM school club)
Bootcamp (they gatecrash my evening bootcamp when they feel like it)
Looking back, the early years was full on, but I am glad to have two girls (7 & 8) with similar interests as they keep each other entertained when I am tied up or busy!
On regular school evenings after homework and dinner, they happily go upstairs to play with their barbies and various role play such as family or cafe with the mock kitchen (they ask me to play a customer!), otherwise they chill to watch some YT kids videos. Not worried with screen time as they self -manage and prefer real play anyway, plus I only allow access to Roblox or Minecraft on the weekend. We still occasionally play board games, but over the last year they love practising gymnastic routines + pretend gym competition (I am the judge!). We would search short YT videos and they would practise /copy the dance moves. These are mostly weekday winter routine, but at warmer times, I would take them out to our local green area on either their bike/scooter/roller skate. Overall, I try to involve myself with their "play" whenever I can as I do enjoy spending quality time with my girls.
Swimming class (evening)
Netball (AM school club)
Gymnastics (PM school club)
Bootcamp (they gatecrash my evening bootcamp when they feel like it)
Looking back, the early years was full on, but I am glad to have two girls (7 & 8) with similar interests as they keep each other entertained when I am tied up or busy!
On regular school evenings after homework and dinner, they happily go upstairs to play with their barbies and various role play such as family or cafe with the mock kitchen (they ask me to play a customer!), otherwise they chill to watch some YT kids videos. Not worried with screen time as they self -manage and prefer real play anyway, plus I only allow access to Roblox or Minecraft on the weekend. We still occasionally play board games, but over the last year they love practising gymnastic routines + pretend gym competition (I am the judge!). We would search short YT videos and they would practise /copy the dance moves. These are mostly weekday winter routine, but at warmer times, I would take them out to our local green area on either their bike/scooter/roller skate. Overall, I try to involve myself with their "play" whenever I can as I do enjoy spending quality time with my girls.
lizardbrain said:
I don't have a problem with screen time if they are OK in other respects.
Like most addictions it's only really a problem if it's getting in the way of life. And also screen time isn't inherently evil, it's just a tool. my kid will happily search YouTube for art and craft tutorials and follow them up much as I would do with DIY.
[b]If a child is vulnerable to passing up social activity to spend endless hours into non-productive screen time, then I think that the root of the problem is probably somewhere a little bit more uncomfortable to excavate [\b]
Every generation blames tools for maladaptive behaviours of kids. At some point it was the written word.
I think you're inferring that the parents need to look closer to home and take accountability for something (although not sure what).Like most addictions it's only really a problem if it's getting in the way of life. And also screen time isn't inherently evil, it's just a tool. my kid will happily search YouTube for art and craft tutorials and follow them up much as I would do with DIY.
[b]If a child is vulnerable to passing up social activity to spend endless hours into non-productive screen time, then I think that the root of the problem is probably somewhere a little bit more uncomfortable to excavate [\b]
Every generation blames tools for maladaptive behaviours of kids. At some point it was the written word.
But two things
1) games and social media are addictive
2) some kids will immerse themselves in something to the exclusion of all else, some won't
3) some kids love screens, some much less so
Just because your child scores highly in 2) and 3) and then mix 1) into it, doesn't make you a bad parent.
My son has always loved screens and buttons. He worked out the remote for the TV when he was 3 - his older sister hadn't got a clue at that time, aged 6. Given a chance he'd be on screen all day, but he's content enough with other things as he's not allowed to be.
My daughter is autistic and part of her makeup is zoning in to something and the rest of the world could cease to exist for all she'd notice. Given a computer game and left to her own devices, she'd forget to eat. She'd do one game repeatedly and exhaustively for weeks or months at a time.
That's just how they are, so we monitor it carefully and don't let it get out of hand.
29 y/o. 5 a side football when at home in London, global head of social media for an Amercian based Saudi owned conglomerate.
27 y/o. Keen runner, auditor in the music publishing industry.
I don't think either of them have a good work life balance, but my enforcement abilities aren't as strong as they once were.
27 y/o. Keen runner, auditor in the music publishing industry.
I don't think either of them have a good work life balance, but my enforcement abilities aren't as strong as they once were.
Until the last year or so the only day we had free from clubs or sports was Friday. Even then I was going ice skating with my daughter.
Between them there was football, cricket, ice skating, gymnastics, golf, netball, horse riding, swimming and any number of other sports. The ice skating was also a couple of morning per week before school at one point.
There has also been the usual beavers, cubs, brownies and youth clubs.
Now the boy is just football, golf and a tutor one night per week. And his PlayStation.
The daughter is still ice skating 3 times per week, but now she can drive takes herself.
Between them there was football, cricket, ice skating, gymnastics, golf, netball, horse riding, swimming and any number of other sports. The ice skating was also a couple of morning per week before school at one point.
There has also been the usual beavers, cubs, brownies and youth clubs.
Now the boy is just football, golf and a tutor one night per week. And his PlayStation.
The daughter is still ice skating 3 times per week, but now she can drive takes herself.
Its more than my 2 do.
9 year old doesn't enjoy sports. He does chess club and spends a lot of time creative writing when at home. Occasionally will join me to play a game of Squash or Tennis.
6 year old enjoys being active and does Gymnastics/cheer. She likes to be out on her bike or scooter so when its warmer/drier we will start going out for that again.
What with being at school all week and some after school days at grandparents and then one day of after school club we keep the weekends to rest and do family stuff where possible.
They love friday night film night, and saturday night TV of Gladiators and Masked Singer when its on. We also play a lot of card games and board games.
We like hosting people so Sundays will often be people coming for lunch or us visiting others.
They have a PlayStation which they play when theres some spare time, i dont restrict it. Ipads are used for some apps - Youtube and Roblox aren't allowed in this house.
I still dont feel like theres enough free time to do all the other things I'd love to with them. They love going out for meals, visiting museums and going bowling and mini golf, so I'd like to do more of this with them.
9 year old doesn't enjoy sports. He does chess club and spends a lot of time creative writing when at home. Occasionally will join me to play a game of Squash or Tennis.
6 year old enjoys being active and does Gymnastics/cheer. She likes to be out on her bike or scooter so when its warmer/drier we will start going out for that again.
What with being at school all week and some after school days at grandparents and then one day of after school club we keep the weekends to rest and do family stuff where possible.
They love friday night film night, and saturday night TV of Gladiators and Masked Singer when its on. We also play a lot of card games and board games.
We like hosting people so Sundays will often be people coming for lunch or us visiting others.
They have a PlayStation which they play when theres some spare time, i dont restrict it. Ipads are used for some apps - Youtube and Roblox aren't allowed in this house.
I still dont feel like theres enough free time to do all the other things I'd love to with them. They love going out for meals, visiting museums and going bowling and mini golf, so I'd like to do more of this with them.
Edited by Nemophilist on Monday 2nd February 14:32
6 year old daughter;
Rainbows
Swimming
Piano
Dancing
Rugby
4 year old son;
Squirrels
Swimming
Rugby
We get Thursday and Friday evenings with nothing on, which means they can do their homework and watch some TV.
They have very little screen time outside of this, 30 mins in the morning if they get up before we do.
Rainbows
Swimming
Piano
Dancing
Rugby
4 year old son;
Squirrels
Swimming
Rugby
We get Thursday and Friday evenings with nothing on, which means they can do their homework and watch some TV.
They have very little screen time outside of this, 30 mins in the morning if they get up before we do.
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