Balancing Screen Time and Homeschooling

I have 4 little boys, 3 of whom are addicted to all things Minecraft, iPad, and computers. The boys enjoy their games just like I enjoy checking Facebook and scouring Etsy.  So, I do not have a huge problem with technology in our home.  However, the whining about when they can play and how long they can play is exhausting.

 

We are a home educating family–which makes it so much more complicated.  You know.  We are always home.  The temptation is always there.  My goal is to find a balance in our home between book time and screen time.  A balance that we can all agree on and respect.

I also want to say that I don’t think technology or Minecraft are bad things.  Honestly, our kids need to have these skills in the coming years, as this is where many careers are headed.

So.  They love the screen time, and I kinda want them to be familiar with and good at these things when they leave my home.  So, in desperation, I turned to our Hip Homeschool Mom’s Community on Facebook to get ideas from what other homeschooling families were doing.

Kelly T. said:

“We have just started a technology tickets system. Each kiddo gets 14 tickets at the beginning of the week. Each ticket is 30 minutes of tech time. When they use them up…that’s it! Well, they can earn tickets by completing specific things (reading, Scripture study, chores etc.). Bad behavior or whining about tech time limits has the consequence of taking a ticket(s) away.”

Chantal W. shared her house rule:

“ My son has to finish his school work before any screen time. If he gets through school with a good attitude, then he has a little more freedom. If we’re struggling, then his only screen time for the rest of that day has to be educational. It’s not something that I threaten with though. I don’t mention it at all until we’re done, then we talk over how he did and decide together. He’s good about agreeing with me when we’ve had a rough day.”

Have a reluctant reader?  Carol M. has a thought:

“My kiddo has to be coaxed to read. So, he keeps track of the time he spends reading and accumulates time that he can use to play his games or watch movies or TV. The more he reads, the more time to use the electronics.”

I agree with Lynn S– which is why we allow our boys to use all things technology (but I still want some limits):

“I’m a mom of 20-something tech guys. I gave up trying to get a system of tradeoffs for doing things I preferred for them to do. I bought them tech manuals, signed them up for tech classes, and let them play and code to their hearts’ content. One son graduated college with honors and codes for a handsome living. The other has a certificate in technical writing and Solid Works design and is halfway to a mechanical engineering degree while working part-time in the tech design field. Letting them immerse themselves in it will not likely damage them. It may allow them to build the proficiency needed for a high tech, high paying career in the future.”

I really like Sabrina H.’s suggestion.  Plus, having my boys keep track of their own tickets all week would be a challenge in responsibility all on its own!

“Every Sunday my kids receive 10 tickets worth 30 minutes each. They can use them as they wish during the week. They don’t have to earn them, they are a gift. However, if they are caught using tech without turning in a ticket unless it is for school (math, writing, etc) then they are at risk of losing remaining tickets for the week. They can use up to two tickets per day and may go in together (2 kids piggy backing tickets) and use them to watch a movie (two hours). They must have school and chores done first. One day a week, I declared free tech day. They could watch tv, movies, play video games, text friends, use their ipads or iphones to their hearts content after chores and school were done. There are many lessons that can be taught with this system; time management, God’s gift of salvation, grace, mercy, etc. I will admit we got off the system over the summer, but my kids are so active that I don’t worry about a little tech time as much as I used to. They are 10 (almost 11) and 12 and we have used this system for at least 4 years.”

Trish C., one of our HHM owners has a good ‘no earlier than’ rule.  I like this too and could see it working for us:

“We struggle with this too. I’ve found that if I don’t put a “no earlier than” time on the games, they will rush through their work to play. We just started back yesterday so I had to restart the the “no earlier than 5:00” rule. They have to have all their work and all their chores done and have spent some time outdoors before they can get on the games. We will see how it works this year… last year it worked well.”

Another popular suggestion from the moms was to use a jar with marbles or pom pon balls.  Each day the child earns a marble (worth a certain amount of time) by doing chores, school, being kind, etc.  When school is finished for the day, the marbles in each child’s jar are tallied, and it’s screen time!

I pray these suggestions bless your homeschool and make the whining lessen.  This is a problem I know so many of us struggle with.

Do you have any new suggestions to share?  Leave a comment for our audience below!