We finished school last week! Hooray! As we’re transitioning to our light summer schedule (a little math, reading, and daily Bible devotions), there’s a new way to nag Mom.
Mom, can I watch TV? Can I play on the computer?
The more they ask, the more annoyed I get. I don’t like letting them become vegetables in front of some screen all the time. Then I feel stressed because we’re looking at a whole summer of all the neighborhood friends being in day care all day rather than available to play with my kids. I’m going to be fighting with them all summer to stay away from the TV!!!! Panic, stress, irritation, etc.
I find that I tend to get more annoyed and frustrated when I feel like I don’t have a plan for a situation. So, we developed the ticket solution.
I decided that 90 minutes of screen time (in front of the TV or computer) was a good number. I made up three tickets each for my 8 and 10 year olds. Each ticket is worth 30 minutes of screen time. They can cash in a ticket and set the timer so we all know when the time is up. It’s been very helpful in teaching them to budget their time. They are responsible for how they use them. It eliminates nagging me, because they know how much time they have. I love how creative they get when they’re not in front of a screen! They make amazing card houses, play games, and do art projects.
Best of all, Mom keeps her cool because I have a plan of action that I’m comfortable with!
Amy Lynn Simon 
Awesome idea that can be used year round as well!
Something we do is have our children do a math worksheet or read an educational article in order to earn each type of screen time.
We may incorporate both of these ideas!
I like that idea, too, Jill! 🙂