16/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."
Jonas: Sneaking in a moment of tech time.
Joshua: My little baseball player.
Jessica: On the search for Easter eggs.

Thank you Jodi for hosting this series.
Still catching up. I'll post 17/52 this weekend.

I don't know about your household, but the limitations that I put on technology are an ongoing battle. I am constantly reminded that I am the only parent who sets a timer for video game or tv use. I am the only parent who strictly enforces "technology free" days (mondays and wednesdays) and we are the only household that has to ask permission to watch a show or play a video game. I know my boys are being dramatic. I know that I can't possibly be the only parent out there with these rules and regulations. I am always trying to find the balance between allowing my children technology time and creative time. We have tried out several different routines and during different times of the year the routines may vary.

Our ideal schedule for the spring has been no technology on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday the kids come home from school and we have a snack together and talk about the day. After they change out of school clothes they are allowed a half hour (sometimes I stretch it to forty-five minutes) of shows, video games or iPad. When the timer goes off we move on to a new activity. Reading, crafting or playing outside. While I prep and make dinner the boys do their homework, practice instruments or play in their rooms if they are caught up on work. But on most days you will find me at the stove and the kids sitting at the island working away on math, science or reading. I love that we are able to all be in the kitchen together working independently on separate activities, especially since after dinner the chaos tends to begin.

The kids are shuffled off to soccer, music or baseball. It's a rush to get home, get everyone bathed, pass out bedtime snacks, read books and tuck in all three kiddos. If I actually step back and look at our schedule, we don't have much time for technology. And that's okay with me.

What does your schedule look like? Do you enforce time limits when it comes to tv or video games? How do you balance the technology with your daily schedules?