The story so far........

Since setting the children up with their screentime coupons two weeks ago, I have to say I am impressed. They choose when they want to have screentime and get their coupons out. The rest of the time they have been seen bouncing on the trampoline, playing with Lego, drawing, colouring, writing, playing board games together, playing with friends, and some TV/DVD time. So yes, it's good.

Last week we were away and we didn't take any devices except for ipad/tablet, which were used sporadically in the evenings. Otherwise, when having downtime at the youth hostel, they would be reading or playing games.

This week, my daughter was told by the dentist that she needed to stop sucking her thumb. I made her a thumb guard from some fabric. So tonight is night one wearing the thumb guard. She got frustrated in the evening when chilling and watching TV, but since going to bed she has been very calm and positive. She got up and settled with me for a short time, about 10pm, but after a couple of stories she was ready to go to sleep. And she'll still in bed now (at midnight).

Fingers crossed she'll be able to soothe herself if she wakes overnight.

What are we doing today????

One of the things I did with the children recently was to write a list of things with them that they wanted to do during the holidays. Kids being kids, this is what they came up with:

• Swimming
• Legoland
• Disneyland Paris
• Play parks
• Visiting Gran
• Going to Bellacrafts
• Crockery painting
• Staying with Nana
• Visiting Corfe Castle
• Visiting Brownsea Island
• Going to Pizza Hut/burger king/MacDonalds
• Camping
• Geocaching
• Soft play
• Alice Holt Forest
• Moors Valley Country Park
• Monkey World
• Paulton's Park
• Marvell Zoo 
• Shaun the sheep trail in Bristol 

I did find this poster on Pinterest recently as well. Sums up very nicely if the kids are bored: http://www.unexpectedelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/BORED-Free-Printable-5x7.jpg

If anyone cares to share anything else we can do then please share!!!!

(This list might get added to if the children start suggesting more things!!!)

Hello

My name is Helen, and I'm a mum to two children of school age. We have just started the summer holidays and I'm going to try really hard at managing the things that I struggle: managing screen time, spending time together, keeping the children occupied.

So yesterday, I agreed with the children that we would have a coupon scheme where they can exchange coupons for time on electronic devices (but not including the TV/DVD). I found these coupons where I could set the time they have on devices. The plan is they will start each day with 8 coupons each set at 15 minute segments (maximum of 2 hours), and they can give me a coupon when they want to do something. We also set up an greement together which consisted of:

1. Maximum of 30 minutes at a time on a device

2. Devices must be returned to their safe places

3. Have to give mummy a 15 minute coupon to use device – including the mornings if up before mummy

4. Devices include: computers, ipad, DS, innotab, Wii

5. TV/DVD is at discretion of mummy and daddy

6. Devices must be switched off by 6pm

7. If the DS is played with friends then this will count towards screentime.

Coupons can be taken away if the above terms and conditions are disobeyed.

There will be a maximum of 2 hours a day screen time. Coupons cannot be carried over into the next day.

This does enable the children to self manage their time without possibly spending excessive time on devices. So unless, we have plans to do things then they choose when they want to. We have since agreed between 9am-6pm they can use their coupons. In response to a question from Jonathan, as well, they use the coupon as they wish. I do not give change i.e. If they spend less time on a device I will not give them back the minutes they've not used.

So far, today Jonathan has spotted the one flaw. He has a kindle. Now technically that is a device but it does encourage him to read. But, he could read the kindle all day between playing in devices, so he now has coupons for his kindle, and the rest of the time he can play or read a paper book. 

Generally, the children have responded well. Jonathan has used some coupons whilst having a friend around to play. But Rebekah hasn't used any at all so far. They played monopoly together this morning without arguing. Or bounced on the trampoline together. It's been lovely to hear and see.

However time will tell each day as to how effective this will be.