We do watch the time they spend on the computer very closely. I don't always use an actual timer, but I do watch the time. The kids are never allowed to go on the computer or any other electronic thing without asking first. So it never 'sneaks' up on us, they ask and we either say yes or no and if we say yes, we watch the amount of time they are on. They do have computer time for school, and that is totally different time for me, because it's educational things then. I do like Sarah blogging because it helps with her grammar and typing skills, though I don't count it as schooling at all. I just think it helps.

Sorry this was so long. I hope that helps a little. :)
JoAnn

We do have limits. My youngin's (teenager included) get 3 hours total game time a week. Whether it's game cube or computer games, online games, that's the limit (we don't do much TV, either, actually near zip, it's just movies on occasion). But, my husband is a programmer, so they all have computer class, particularly my freshman, who is learning to do Flash Animation.

Today, though, he didn't have class, and wanted to do some Flash. We had taken half the day off to go play with friends, and he still came home and finished today's school, so I felt he earned it.

It is totally a privilege, however, and one my youngest son is missing out on right now, until some things change. Even Flash class is out. And Hubby agrees.

That's how we try to do it.
Janelle

Well, you probably know most of this already, but our girls get 45 min/day each for recreational computer (blogging/games). They take my green pepper kitchen timer with them to the computer each time, set it themselves, and when the pepper goes off, so do they - they can finish a comment, but gotta make it snappy. :) Their school work is additional time on the computer, but usually only about 30 minutes/3 times a week. We haven't used it as a reward for good attitude, etc., but I can see now that they have come to view it as a right/entitlement, as when they don't get their time in because of busy schedules/not home, I am seeing some pouting & winning. But I usually remind them that I didn't get my time in either and that puts an end to it - so far.

I don't monitor probably as closely as I should what they write, but when I do view their posts, it's fun to see how they are growing in their social skills and also helps me with knowing where they need imporvement in spelling. I continually encourage them to be a blessing to others and I can see where they have been improving in that area - thinking of others vs. selfishness (character development). Woohoo.

Yes , this is a challenge. I do put time limits on the boys. I let them on a game Fri, Sat, and Sun for 30 min. each child for each of the three days. Other than that they are only allowed school related things or blogging. I try to use it as a privilege after their work is done. It is still a tug of war even with it being like this for a looooooooooong time. ( sorry to say) They always want ....... more. Thanks for your sweet comments and signing my guest book. [0=

God Bless my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary

Hi Sally~
At our house, each person gets 30 minutes a day for "free" computer time. (We don't include the time that they are doing research on the internet or typing something for a school project in this time.)

We have a small egg-timer positioned smack-dab on the counter next to the computer screen - right in plain sight! The rule is that each child may take his/her 30 minutes all at once or split it up into two 15 minute intervals. If they get on the computer and forget to set the timer, the minute they are"busted" , their time is up and they forfeit any remaining time.

We don't give computer time as a reward, but it is definitely a privilege. It they abuse it - they lose it. During the summer months we did extend each one's time form 30 minutes to 60. But now that we are back in the school mode, the computer time for them returns to 30 minutes per day. There are SO many wonderful books to read, for heavens sake! And what about that cabinet downstairs full of drawing paper, markers, glitter, glue sticks, press-on flowers, old magazines, paints and stencils...and the list goes on! I can think of a million things to do other than be on the computer. Guess I'd better get off now, huh?

Hope this is a help. Good luck!

Blessings~
Pam

I've wondered about this too. We call it "screen time"...whether it's the TV, computer or any other electronic device. How much is ok? How much is just ridiculous? And why am I still up at almost 1:00 a.m. because I'm hooked to the same vice??
hmmm....
I have four kids that like to use the computer (I'm sure it won't be long for #5)...I let them all have an hour of screen time each day - unless it's a special movie or something later in the evening with the family. One thing I haven't quite figured out on this is what to do if one child is on the computer and the other is watching...does the observer get another whole hour of time?? So far i haven't made a big deal of this, but I do start to cringe when I feel like they have become zombie heads in front of the computer monitor.
We're pretty avid sports fans...love football, basketball, golf, etc, so my husband and I have had to really be careful that the TV doesn't stay on for hours and hours of games. We love our Tivo...the TV stays off more, and when we do watch we watch something we really wanted to see instead of flipping through and watching a lot of nothing.
Probably the best detourant to excessive screen time in our home is schedules and fun outside activities. When the kids are in a certain sport, they tend to go outside and practice together in their free time. If we keep our schedule going through the day, then I don't find myself (or the kids) even turning the TV on or having time for the computer.
One thing I'm really against and I hold pretty strict is cartoons or video games in the morning. Only when I'm sick or the child is sick do I allow them to start out the day vegging in front a screen. It seems like if they start the day like that then they are more cranky about the chores and schoolwork they are supposed to do later.
Sorry - this was supposed to just be a comment and it became an editorial. :-)

Super question - let me know when you have the answer...

Edited by momtofive on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 2:58 AM