Balancing Gadget/TV time

Our thoughts : TV/Gadgets are not bad, there are many things that kids can learn from these, but over usage might lead to health and mental hazard. So we are not completely against TV and Gadget time but we explain and try to make them understand the pros and cons of using gadgets and restrict their time limit.

When I got married and started to live in a separate house, We didn't consider buying a TV when we started to furnish our house. Vijay and I are not TV person but instead we used to watch videos of our interest in internet or buy DVD to watch movies. We used to avoid using desktop or laptop when Albrain was awake. Until he went to playschool at the age of 3, we engaged him with board puzzles, books and went out almost every weekend (Park and Beach mostly). 

When Albrain was in Pre KG, he didn't accept that TV would come under living room things. That time we thought we should also give him TV time and hence we bought a TV. Things completely changed after the new arrival. Albrain started to sit in front of TV for long time, he ate in front of TV, played in front of TV, his TV time was more than other activities. I was scared to stop TV time abruptly as he might repel. I made a point to him that he shouldn't mix up activities with TV time, for example if he eat food, he has to sit in the dining area instead of sitting in front of TV. If he has to play, he needs to play and then keep the toys aside before he switch on the TV. He can choose any one hour in a day for TV time(I made sure that he doesn't watch TV and sleep immediately). His TV time got gradually decreased over time and got under control. 

When it comes to Almind, not only TV, smart phones, laptops was already a part of our life. The same set of rules were insisted on Almind too, no mixing other activities with TV/gadget time. During weekdays both of them do not have time to watch TV as they are tightly engaged in school and after school activities. So, on weekends, Almind can watch any program for two hours on Saturday and Albrain on Sunday. They used to watch kids series or some youtube videos. 

Vijay and I watch movie/series on Friday nights. Kids go to bed at 8pm daily. So we both watch for 2 hours till 10pm. 

We used to go to theatres when any animated/3D movie gets released. If it's some Hollywood action movies, Albrain and Vijay used to go to theatre to watch. 

Kids are now exposed more to screen time because of online classes, but we make sure that they shut down the tab/laptop once the classes are over. 

Points we learned and observed over time :

Both Albrain and Almind gets bored with toys over the time. Even if its their favourite toy, they get engaged with it only for few days. So, instead of buying them toys we did these activities to engage them. 

** Exposing them to different routines - Hopscotch, Cycling on terrace, cleaning herbs and spinach, arranging fruits and vegetables in fridge and baskets, basic house cleaning, arranging their cloths, making their bed, opening and closing windows.

** Encouraging them to draw - give them some theme like beach scene or summer day or their future house, ask them to make handmade greeting cards for friends and family on special occasions.

** Motivating them to write stories or poems - Theme based poems like fathers day, earth day, save animals, preserve water. Give them some random words/objects and ask them to write a short story using those words/objects. Ask them to write a story about random topics.

** Journal Writing - Note down the happenings of their day in a notebook or diary along with date. 

I hope all parents who read this blog could relate 😍Share your parenting experience in the comments 😀