Laying down the law

I've said before that I don't think that TV is the enemy.  It can be a fun and interactive way to spend some time with your kids.  It can also be a welcome respite for a tired mom in a very long day, and a chance to finally get some things done around the house. 

I don't think it's in any way "educational", despite the pitch that Baby Einstein is trying to ram down my throat.  I also think that families should place limits on exactly how much TV their children watch.  With a toddler and a baby on the way, I was thinking today of just what kind of limits I want to place - now, and when the kids get older - and here's what I came up with:

THE RULES

1. All television programs are subject to parental approval.
2. No television set in the bedroom.
3. On days when the weather is nice (winter or summer), there is no TV between the hours of 9am and 6pm.
4. On days when the weather is bad (rain, snowstorms, extreme cold or heat), or if the child is sick, then additional TV viewing can be negotiated according to parental desperation.
5. Homework must be done before TV.
6. Program choice will be split evenly between the siblings.  However, for every hour spent doing non-school reading, a half hour extra of program choice can be negotiated.  (Not sure is this is taken away from the other sibling, or added on top - I'm still working on this rule).
7. These rules apply to video games and non-school computer time.
8. Any violation of these rules and TV privileges will be taken away for certain period to be determined by parental units.
9. All rules are subject to revision if they are not working out.

What do you think?  I'm still in the early stages of working this whole thing out.  Tell me, do you have TV rules in your house, or is it a kind of fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of thing.  If you have rules established, what has worked - or not worked - for your family? I'd be curious to know.

Comments

[motherbumper]

We are trying to come up with some rules since B has shown a fondness for all things Dora (though she does call it Boots because she thinks he's the real star behind it all). I really like #7 - good one to establish. All we have right now is limiting time and all done with parental approval (no Jerry Springer for her just yet ;)

[mamatulip]

I don't think TV is the enemy either; never have. I don't necessarily have rules when it comes to TV watching but I am aware of how much is getting viewed. When it comes to TV in our house we have almost a routine -- the kids watch one or two shows in the morning while I have my coffee and check email, etc. I let Julia watch one show while Oliver is asleep and if it's a rainy day I'll let them watch a movie. Many times I notice that even though the TV is on, the kids aren't watching it at all. They're off doing something else.

[crazymumma]

In our family, screen time is screen time. Whether it be TV, computer, or hand hels or TV gaming.

We are liberal with it. I was fearful at first, then I realized for the most part, with a healthy weekend dose (so we could sleep in), TV has not harmed us at all.

It provided us a break.

[petitegourmand]

I love your rules- the same basically apply here too.

Now if only I could start watching a little less myself...oh the fall t.v. season is almost upon us..
shudder.

[bren j.]

Good rules! It hit me yesterday that when the Little Goat is old enough to realize what TV is and get excited about it...I'll have to curb MY OWN watching. I am SO glad, though, that the hours included in your rules start at 9am and END at 6pm because out here, Coronation Street starts at 6 and we couldn't miss that, now could we? :)

Thanks for including the Little Goat in your most recent post. You sure know how to flatter a little girl!

[bubandpie]

Our habits are similar to Mama T's. The one "rule" is that if someone is sick, they get to watch videos all day.

I would hesitate a bit about rule #6. Maybe your children will need to be rewarded for reading, but reading really IS its own reward - I think adding TV in exchange for it could be useful for a child who's quite resistant, but otherwise I'd let it alone.

[bubandpie]

(I don't mean to sound all holier-than-thou there - I bet my kids will need to be rewarded for playing outside, if they're anything like me, which so far they're not thank goodness.)