How to time your kids TV and Gadgets time?

The little ones know how to use the gadgets better than parents. Some parents feel proud of their kids for such an achievement but for most it’s a topic of concern.

It was a big concern when I went and interacted with other fellow parents in the soccer class that 2 year old or maybe 3 year old are fixed to mobile phone. It has become an easy way for parents to keep their kids quiet and busy by just giving them a phone or IPad to watch a cartoon show on YouTube while they finish their job. We were in the soccer class when one 5 year old was playing the game but the little one was just not ready to sit so the poor mother had no other option rather than giving her the phone with her favourite cartoon on. I do the same several times to keep my kids busy. When I have to finish my household core or maybe some pending office work, the best way to keep my kids busy and not disturb me is give them phone or put their favourite movie on TV.

But the alarming part for me was when my kids started talking to each other like “Doremon”, their favourite cartoon character. On top of it my son came very excited back from his pre-school that his best friend has to wear goggles all time. He very excitedly told me that he gets to wear blue coloured goggles and can I wear the same. I was really alarmed. These days such small kids have to wear spectacles because they are spending so much time on gadgets. The point that arise is how to time them. I fastened my seat belt because they are after all my kids. Whatever I preach they will follow. I thought limiting the gadgets time is really important.

I started with simple steps.

1.       NO MEANS NO: When my kids were back from school, I allowed them to watch TV for lunch time but there after 1 hour I started to switch it off. I fixed the time and the alarm rang at sharp 4.30 PM. They initially resisted a lot. They cried and threw all kind of tantrums. But in a week time they got adjusted to the time. They understood that “No means No”. The kids also test their parent’s limits. They see how easily we surrender to their tantrums. But when a tantrum is for their worst, it can and should never be accepted. Slowly and steadily we will win over this tantrum.

2.       LIMITING MOBILE was the next step. I simply switched off the Wi-Fi of the house and the mobile without letting them know. When their cartoons didn’t turned up they would themselves keep the phone down. Self-control is the key. As parents we also set up an example to our kids. Usually when we lie down to relax we start looking at email and social networking sites. The kids imbibe the same. No internet connection means we are limiting ourselves and giving the time to our kids. We just can’t end up saying that our kids are so smart these days. It’s just that we need to “Outsmart “them. Playing indoor games with kids or giving them some papers and craft material to work with is the best thing to keep them busy. Just don’t look at them and tell them to make a “Project”. My little one feels so proud each time he makes a “Project”. It could be meaningless to you but that’s how we can hone their creativity. Even at times telling them nothing to do works out wonders. They find something creative for themselves. The pretend games comes out very creatively when we don’t schedule them.

3.       GOING OUT GADGET TIME was the next to be limited. When we are travelling I never give my kids phone to watch a cartoon. It’s as simple that I told my kids I don’t have an internet connection in my phone outside the house. Instead I would ask my kids to find one new thing. As a family we believe that whenever we go out we get to see one new thing. So look out of the window and let’s see who finds the best new thing. For long trip I keep some portable puzzles and car games that they can sit and play with. The “I Spy with my eyes…” is a big hit for them. Even the tunnel game works fantastic. Each time they cross a tunnel they begin to count. That’s how they get to know the longest tunnel they have crossed. Just make your own game that the family enjoys keep them busy and happy.

As parents it just takes time to find out strategies for our kids. We spent our childhood without mobiles so can our kids. It’s just a little bit of thought that is required. We need to be determined and set gadget rules in our house and things will work out fantastically.