How to Manage Summer Break Screen Time

I've been hanging out on Instagram a lot this summer and I mentioned something in a post over there about how we've been managing screen time this summer. I've had several requests to share this in more detail, so here you are!

I was inspired by an idea that someone shared on facebook where they created a list of things that their kids needed to accomplish before they would be allowed to watch any T.V. or movies or play on a computer/tablet/phone... any "screen time".

I made our own list, similar to the one that was shared (I wish I knew who to credit for the original idea). I changed a few things, and added some things and here's what our list looked like in the end:

Spend Focussed Time to Make Memories With Your Kids

It's interesting how this wasn't an issue when I was a kid. Cell phones, the internet, tablets, computers... all of these things have added so much good and so much bad to our lives. We can use them in many different ways, and they can affect us in different ways, depending on the choices that we make about how (and when) we use them.

I haven't been very active on the blog lately, and that's because I've been trying to avoid being on the computer too much while my kids are home for summer break. I saw this video today and was reassured that this is the right choice for me right now. This is the only summer that my kids will be this age. I don't want to look back on this time with regret, or wondering if I missed things because I was absorbed in blogging.

The whole point of this blog, from the beginning, was to inspire me and to inspire others to do fun things with their kids- to spend time with them, making memories while raising them.

So, posts are likely to be sparse for the remainder of our summer break and then pick up again in the Fall. I hope you're all making the best of your time with your kids this summer, too!

This video has reminded me not only to spend time with my kids, but to continue to make sure that I'm really focussed on them during the time I'm with them. If you've got a few minutes, I think you'll appreciate this video!

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Please subscribe or follow to keep in touch.

Parenting by Setting Expectations & Boundaries

Have you ever noticed your kids doing something that you really wish they wouldn't do?

(trick question.. of COURSE you have!)

Maybe you've thought to yourself, "I should probably tell/ask them to stop doing that."..
and then you haven't bothered because

a. they probably won't listen
b. they'll probably complain/wine and you just don't want to listen to that
c. you're just too tired and worn out to talk (ha!)

[I think this is exactly how kids' bad habits begin...
We, the parents, don't bother to say anything when it
starts to happen and before you know it, that behaviour
has become normal/expected/"okay" in their minds.. and
it becomes difficult to stop it.]

...and by the way, I've come to this conclusion by experience ;)
As the school year started, it didn't take more than 2 school days for me to notice that my girls were coming home from school extra tired, worn out from their day, and less patient in general. This easily led to them fighting with each other.

Coming off of a summer of having them with me pretty much 24-7, I could see a distinct change very quickly and I knew that this was not something that I wanted to become the norm. I guess I was having a good parenting day (maybe I had some stored up patience and energy from my first couple of days sans kids?) because I decided on the spot that I was going to set some expectations for them.

So, on the way to the library after school, I stopped them on the sidewalk and said I needed to talk to them. I told them that I understood that after a long day at school they would probably feel kind of worn out and that it is easier to get frustrated or upset when you are tired out. Then I told them that even when you are worn out, it is still not okay to be unkind to each other. I told them that we needed to be kind to each other because we love each other and our home and our family needs to be a happy place for everyone in our family.

They nodded their heads as if they understood and I felt like from that moment on, I could easily remind them to stick to that.
...and guess what... It has been working!

They are not perfect (I am not perfect), but we are working on it. Because the expectation has been set, it is far easier to try to keep them in check!

Have you noticed this in your parenting?
Anything you've tried recently with your kids that's working well?
I'd love to hear about it in the comments!
Seriously guys... it makes my day when you take a minute to comment!

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Please subscribe or follow to keep in touch.

Thursday Thoughts: They're Going Back to School

What's that? You've noticed I haven't blogged much this summer? You've missed me?
Okay, really though, has anyone missed me?

Sometimes I wonder who you are... you, who are reading this. I don't hear from you too often in comments or emails. I don't really blame you though- I read some blogs too, and most of the time I just read and then move on to the next post or the next thing to do. I pin the recipes or tutorials that I'd like to try someday, or I smile or laugh or cry to myself (about what I read) and then move on. I comment when I have something to say or when I've been so touched that I just can't leave without saying "thank you for writing that".

Is this your blog reading "routine" too?

... so I haven't blogged much this summer. I've been trying to focus on making the most of the time that I have with the girls home. This is the year that Katrina will begin school (not every day- thankfully, I get to transition slowly into this both-kids-at-school thing). I suspect the lack of blogging will change next month when I suddenly have more child-free time in my life than I've had for the past 7+ years. So, you'll be hearing (or reading, rather) from me more in the future.

What is that like? (the all-kids-at-school thing) If you're reading this and you've hit that stage or been through that stage, what was it like? Was it sad for you when they left? Were you excited about the alone time? Did you find it productive time? Did you find the "school time" part of the day flew by? Or maybe you were working so it didn't make a big difference to your day? Or you started working..

I have mixed feelings about it.
I didn't tell you this, but I was thinking about homeschooling. I've thought about homeschooling before. My husband was homeschooled for 4 years and I know a handful of people who were also homeschooled. Beyond that, I have met even more moms who are currently homeschooling (in real life, and through blogs). So, suddenly homeschool was on my radar although I never would have predicted that. This summer I spent a lot of time thinking about and researching homeschooling. I came really close this time, but in the end, school feels the most right for our family right now. I'm totally open to homeschooling at some point in the future if I think it is right, but for now, this is our choice.

So after thinking so seriously about homeschooling and all of the lovely pros that come with homeschooling, there is a sadness to sending them away to school in the Fall. I will miss spending more time with those munchkins!

Have your kids already started school this year?
What were your favourite things that you did with your kids or whole family this summer?

(Now, I know you're reading this, so come talk to me in the comments section so I don't feel like nobody's reading.. ;)

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Please subscribe or follow to keep in touch.