Managing TV Time as a Parent
Though there are many debates about the role it should play in your children’s lives, you can’t deny that the TV is an important member of the family. However, it is important that you teach your children how to properly manage their time in front of the TV. Here are some of the best ways you can help to manage TV time as a parent in your household.
Keep the TV In One Place
Some parents make the mistake of letting their children have their own TVs in their room when they are far too young. They won’t need their own TVs until they are at least teenagers, if you even ever decide to let them have a TV in their room. Try to keep the TV in just one place, whether that is a living room or a den. From a young age, this will help them to associate this room with watching the television.
Since the TV is just going to be in one place, you need to ensure that it is always going to work flawlessly so the picture never goes out. A high-quality indoor TV antenna like SMARTenna will help to ensure that your TV is always able to receive all the important channels.
Set Limits
When managing TV time, you need to set reasonable limits. These include limits on the time they spend watching TV and what they are watching. It is recommended that small children or toddlers only watch an hour of TV a day. This hour includes all screen time, so your child might get half an hour to watch a TV show and then half an hour with educational games on a tablet.
You also need to pay attention to what they are watching. Choose high-quality educational shows that are age-appropriate for your child. Try to avoid watching your own adult-appropriate shows around them, even if they are clean. Wait until your child has gone down for a nap or to sleep before you watch them.
Keep It a Privilege
You have set boundaries for your child and now it is time to stick to them. If your child misbehaves, it is time for them to lose their screen time. Try to keep some activities to one side that can be used as a constructive discipline instead of full punishment.
This might require some work on your part. Hiding the remote might be a necessity if you have a wilful child who is determined to watch regardless of what you say. You should also trial the consequences on a day-to-day basis. If your child is respectful and apologetic the next day, they can watch TV once more.
Introducing good TV habits to your children is incredibly important. The earlier you can do it, the more likely you are to see a positive relationship between your children and their devices. Just remember to keep time focused on the screen at a minimum, and make sure to keep it as a treat they enjoy.