Screen Time Guidelines for Winter Break and Beyond
Next week kids will be off of school for winter break and with many cities under new shelter in place orders they will find themselves with little or nothing to do. For most kids that means more screen time, and for most parents, increased anxiety about how much screen time is too much and how to get kids engaged in off screen activities. While winter break isn’t the time to try to reduce screen time, you can definitely be intentional about setting up guidelines that promote a healthy balance of screen time and other activities that nourish your kids both physically and mentally.
Having a family meeting to talk about winter break and screen time guidelines is a great way to start the conversation. Here is a great resource about how to run a family meeting: How to Hold a Successful Family Meeting.
Here are a few tips to get you started. Use the ones that feel right for your family:
Decide on how much screen time is ok each day
Toggle screen time with off screen activities. Cycling between offline and online helps keep dopamine levels even, causing fewer screen induced outbursts. Set up screen times for when you have important work to do or cannot be disturbed.
Hold firm on the screen guidelines that are most important to you (no phones in the bedroom, or no screens at dinner)
Brainstorm off screen activities that kids can do and post them where they can see them when they need to find something to do during off screen times
Make sure kids get 45 minutes to an hour of exercise each day
Decide on a new hobby the kids might want to explore
Get the supplies needed so kids can engage in projects, like art, cooking and baking
Use this time to involve kids in cooking meals for the family (Younger kids can help. Challenge older kids can make a meal for the family on their own)
Have everyone contribute to the household by committing to doing a household chore or clean out.
Connect to someone outside your household. Set up a Zoom or phone call with a friend or family member each day. ( My son likes to practice guitar for his grandmother via Zoom).
Take a break from work and screens to have lunch together
Honor your kids’ screen interest by setting aside time for them to show you their favorite screen pastimes.
Acknowledge when you see them following the screen guidelines and let them know how much you appreciate it.
Encourage them to balance active screen time (such as learning a new skill or educational games) vs passive screen time (such as video games or watching TikTok or silly stuff on You Tube)
Engage in your own self care
A little planning goes a long way. Good luck and may you have a wonderful holiday season.
Contact me if you’d like a one hour coaching session where we will make a Winter Break screen time plan that’s just right for your family.
Warmly,
Jenny
