Limiting Screen Time

This is a great article and addresses something that I battle against in my home. While I could always find lots of information about the rationale behind limiting screen time, I needed some practical ideas that could help me pull it off. If you are also looking for some ideas for how to manage, or better yet get your kids to manage their screen time, check out http://dadography.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/how-to-limit-screen-time-during-the-summer-a-parenting-tip/.
I'm also interested in hearing any other ideas out there.

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This is a great article and addresses something that I battle against in my home. While I could always find lots of information about the rationale behind limiting screen time, I needed some practical ideas that could help me pull it off. If you are also looking for some ideas for how to manage, or better yet get your kids to manage their screen time, check out How to limit screen time for your kids .
I'm also interested in hearing any other ideas out there.

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All great advice. Thanks! If I did not limit my kid's screen time, he would spend all his free time surfing the Internet. But too much screen time can have unhealthy side effects (he is a little overwight). I think children need to spend time outdoors and engaged in other activities in order to have a healthy, well balanced life. When I was a kid I had a wide variety of free-time activities like reading, playing with friends, and sports, which all played a vital part in helping them develop a healthy body and mind. As you see, to set time limits on the Internet is a must in my case. Our computer is right in the kitchen, so I can limit time and also check to see what he is doing and who he is talking to. Additionally, I have a simple Internet filter Ez Internet Timer to restrict internet access while I'm not at home. I can easily add/remove time on any particular day with just a couple clicks. If anyone's interested check out the site here: http://www.internettimer.net

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We only have a TV in our basement, and since it is out of sight none of us watch it that much. I think this is a good strategy if you're serious about cutting back on TV time.

I still worry about my boys (ages 8 and 10) wasting a lot of time in front of the computer playing video games. I'd rather they read, build stuff, or run around outside. I personally found it difficult to enforce time limits, however, because when they are on the computer I get quiet time to myself. I built and now use a simple timer program that lets me set time limits (like 1 hour/weekday and no more than 30 minutes at one sitting). The program gives the kids audible reminders like "5 minutes left" and logs them off when their time is up. It has ended all the fighting over computer time in our house. Give it a try. You can download it from http://www.TimesUpKidz.com

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Another way parents can get their kids active is with the use of www.GoTrybe.com. It's a children's fitness and health education website that teaches today's tech-savvy youth to get up and get active.

Instead of fighting technology, GoTrybe finds a way for kids to use their precious computer, but in a fun and healthy way... it's active-screen-time instead of sedentary-screen-time. There are fitness videos, nutrition information, wellness materials and motivational messages that teach children how to live a healthy life everyday.

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