shakethenations
New member
@christinaswartz1 I'm in construction, General Contracting but I actually enjoy doing carpentry/finish work. Contracting kinda sucks lol but it's good money.
We are doing no electronics during the school week for the month of May. It's changed the whole family dynamic. Maybe you should try it, too
ticketwebsites
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dangeroustype
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@sf111 We've been electronics only on weekends for 2 years now (7yo). We noticed immediately that our son got super creative with filling his time after school, outside play, drawing, reading, Legos etc. His school work and writing improved almost immediately. We game together a few hours on the weekends but he prefers outdoors and playing with his friends (we live on a dead end street with lots of kids his age)
It may not be for everyone, but it definitely worked for us.
It may not be for everyone, but it definitely worked for us.
@dangeroustype He is asking on Fridays now that instead of electronics (which he used to get about 90 minutes of because he comes home from school at 13:00) that I clock out early so I can play board games with him.
I figure I've got like 5 more years before he wants nothing to do with me for a decade. I figure I can make time for him on a Friday.
I figure I've got like 5 more years before he wants nothing to do with me for a decade. I figure I can make time for him on a Friday.
sledgehammer
New member
@dangeroustype How do you manage this with hobbies that utilize software or computers?
For example what if your kid likes to make movies? A lot of movie making is editing on a computer. This seems similar to arts and crafts for me.
For example what if your kid likes to make movies? A lot of movie making is editing on a computer. This seems similar to arts and crafts for me.
dangeroustype
New member
@sledgehammer I would say that's different, as it's not "entertainment". Mine currently doesn't have that sort of hobby, but things can change obviously, and so can certain rules.
@sledgehammer Yes one of my sons is really into maths and plays a maths game a lot.
And he’s been learning checkers and chess recently, which is honestly better on a computer because it knows what you can and can’t do (I couldn’t play either to begin with so I was no use to help him).
It’s still very hard to limit but I think there needs to be a healthy medium between games/dross streaming tv and no screen time at all.
And he’s been learning checkers and chess recently, which is honestly better on a computer because it knows what you can and can’t do (I couldn’t play either to begin with so I was no use to help him).
It’s still very hard to limit but I think there needs to be a healthy medium between games/dross streaming tv and no screen time at all.
@aazae17 I did allow Hacksmith / Smarter Every Day for my 9 year old, but then it became "can I watch all Mincraft videos" which then became "can I buy all of these minecraft mods?" which then became "Can i play more minecraft" and then became "how come all these minecraft mods don't work?" and then became angry shouting at the computer because it ate his allowance money to no return.
Which, to be fair, isn't all that different than I am about my computer when I discover that I forgot to unsubscribe from some SaaS app that I stopped using.
Which, to be fair, isn't all that different than I am about my computer when I discover that I forgot to unsubscribe from some SaaS app that I stopped using.
papadapulos
New member
@sf111 This sounds so much like my 9 year old it's uncanny.
I'm currently using the excuse that he can't play Minecraft unless it's the weekend when his friend is able to play, because it's unfair to his friend on their joint world. We had serious meltdowns yesterday because he spent the day with mom and wanted his screen fix at night when he got home.
I'm currently using the excuse that he can't play Minecraft unless it's the weekend when his friend is able to play, because it's unfair to his friend on their joint world. We had serious meltdowns yesterday because he spent the day with mom and wanted his screen fix at night when he got home.
@papadapulos Yeah, this is the kind of thing I'm trying to avoid.
I'd note he just yeeted out of the house to visit his friend next door.
I'd note he just yeeted out of the house to visit his friend next door.
christinaswartz1
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lonelldaniels
New member
@sf111 Okay YouTube is a double-edged sword. There is also a plethora of good stuff on YouTube as well that is super interesting. The kiddos tend to go in streaks with it so they will watch a series of videos over a couple weeks of all one type so you do have to pay attention. I have stopped him from watching several different types of videos but there are other ones that are really cool and entertaining.
For example, he was watching one where a guy was super into fish. He would order all sorts of exotic ones and do a little demo showing them off and talking about them a bit. He would also go to local areas and catch fish. Identify them and talk about them a bit. Always enthusiastic about the fish. My son was starting to identify them and talk about them as well (which is good because his mom has a degree in fish biology). He was generally happy watching and learning.
Another example is him and the neighbor kid get into watching these "workout" videos. Basically they show two different treats or something on the screen and ask which one do they like better. Whichever one they choose they then have to do the exercise assigned to that for the next 30 seconds.
Yes, there is a boat load of absolute shit on YouTube. Mainly people pretending to eat shit and speak way too loud at the camera. But there is also a lot of good content as well. It takes some effort but you can certainly help weed out the shit and be left with the good stuff.
For example, he was watching one where a guy was super into fish. He would order all sorts of exotic ones and do a little demo showing them off and talking about them a bit. He would also go to local areas and catch fish. Identify them and talk about them a bit. Always enthusiastic about the fish. My son was starting to identify them and talk about them as well (which is good because his mom has a degree in fish biology). He was generally happy watching and learning.
Another example is him and the neighbor kid get into watching these "workout" videos. Basically they show two different treats or something on the screen and ask which one do they like better. Whichever one they choose they then have to do the exercise assigned to that for the next 30 seconds.
Yes, there is a boat load of absolute shit on YouTube. Mainly people pretending to eat shit and speak way too loud at the camera. But there is also a lot of good content as well. It takes some effort but you can certainly help weed out the shit and be left with the good stuff.
@hr_19 Once I switched to only using YouTube kids for my kiddo it was an absolute game changer. I highly recommend it if any dad is looking to wean or pair down what their kiddo is watching. There is some wild stuff out there that’s “supposed” to be for kids but feels like it’s something out of A Clockwork Orange.