My boys are currently 10 and 8 and they LOVE screen time–any kind of screen time. It can be a computer, an iPad, an iPhone, a video game, a stupid television commercial, really anything that moves on a screen is fair game. They are total screen time addicts–and like most kids their age–they would be in front of a screen all the live-long day if we did not set limits for them. As parents, we all know that limiting our children’s amount of screen time per day is healthy for our kids. But as parents, we also know that limiting screen time (especially during the summer months) can lead to a battle of the wills.
My background is in counseling, and I worked for 8 years as an elementary school counselor back in the day. One thing I used to teach parents is that if the same problem keeps happening over and over again, it is a sign that you need to come up with a creative problem solving solution. Uh…yeah. Thanks for that great advice Beth. No duh! Stick with me here because I’ve found a creative solution to this recurring screen time problem that has worked BRILLIANTLY for us! This system teaches kids important life-lessons such as how to count money, how to budget, how to work towards a goal, how to be responsible, and how to be grateful. AND it does all of this with little parental monitoring and little to no fuss!
Easy No-fuss Screen Time Reward System
This system probably works best with elementary-aged children 7 and up but can be adapted for younger and older kids. You could use this with younger kids if an older sibling or parent is willing to help with the money counting.
How it works:
1. One cent buys one minute of screen time. My boys are allowed one hour of screen time each, per day which totals $.60 each per hour. You can decide whatever amount of time works best for your kids.
2. My boys are each paid $4.20 in pretend money at the beginning of each week. This is their weekly “salary”. They receive this salary for doing their chores, doing their exercises (my husband has them on a little exercise program), and reading for at least an hour. During the school year, this will include finishing all of their homework.
3. They can use their screen time money however they wish as long as they have met their expectations for the day. If they go ahead with their screen time without doing what is expected, then we dock their pay. Explain to the kids that if they decided not to show up to work, or complete a work assignment, they would receive loss of income. If they decide not to do their chores, or homework, then they will lose that day’s pay.
4. They can choose to use all seven hours of screen time in one day if they wish, but then of course they will have to suffer the consequences of being out of cash! This has proved soooo valuable in teaching budgeting and the value of delayed gratification.
5. As long as eyes are on a screen, each boy has to pay into the jar. If one of my kids is “just watching” the other play a video game, this still counts towards screen time and they have to pay up!
6. If the kids are going to be at a friend’s house, I talk it over with the parents beforehand and let my boys know that screen time at a friend’s house still counts. There might be some exceptions or “bonuses” granted, but when you first implement this system I’d advise that you stick to the allotted weekly time—otherwise you will render the system meaningless and your kids won’t respect it.
7. If we have a family movie night, or go out to the movies together as a family, we may or may not choose to allow this screen time as an additional “bonus”. This has worked really well to foster appreciation and cuts down on entitlement.
Materials Needed to Create Screen Time Jar:
- Mason jar
- Puffy stickers
- Spray paint or latex paint
- Wallet, coin purse, or some other container to be used as the “bank”
- Craft knife to cut hole in top of mason jar lid
- Play money coins (I bought mine on Amazon. This is an affiliate link.)
- Timer (Find one with a magnet on the back if you can.)
- Super glue
Step 1: Place puff stickers on your jar and secure loose edges with superglue.
Step 2: Paint your jar with latex paint or spray paint. I chose to paint my jar with latex and coat it with clear spray paint to seal the paint.
Step 3: Trace your lid onto thin cardboard and cut out a slit for the coin slot. I used a cereal box and covered it with some vinyl I had on hand. You can also cut through the metal lid with a dremel.
Step 4: Super glue a magnet onto the back of your jar for your timer.
Congrats! You are now ready to implement your no-fuss screen time reward system! When your kids have finished their chores, they can pay into the jar and set the timer for the amount of minutes paid. This system has transformed our daily lives and cut down on all screen time battles!
You can obviously implement this system without making a cute jar and bank, but I guarantee you’ll have more initial buy-in if you take the time to make something that looks cute! Let me know how it works for you if you try it!
I disagree with providing screen time as a reward. When you limit something or have to earn it, it places importance around that item. We are saying as a society that this item (screen time) should be valued and appreciated. I am more of the school with rewarding kids with things that my family values (spending extra time together, getting special one-on-ones, cooking with mom, going to a ball game with dad, working with dad on projects). Screen time is part of our society, and our kids are going to want to do it. We have to de-emphasis the importance of this and instead shift the focus to the family values. My kids get screen time. They know how much is appropriate – like candy – and what choices should be made. They are not perfect and do not always make the best choices, but that is a part of growing up. I will never judge a parent for their choices, and will support parents choices, but this is my opinion on the matter.
Screentime is not an inherent right in our home. It has to be earned after fulfilling all other important obligations. It is not a given. I’m guessing that if you work outside the home, then you don’t mind money as a reward for your efforts and fulfilled obligations. We don’t just receive money, we earn it based on our work ethic and job performance. Screentime is a currency in our home just like allowance, but it is not a “family value”. This is a system to implement for kids who may try and push the limits on the amount of screentime they are allowed. You use the analogy of candy to demonstrate how your kids just know how much is appropriate. That is the ultimate goal in parenting–to raise kids who show self-discipline and just inherently do what is right and make choices that are best for them. Not all kids get there the same way, and I’ve found that this method defines the standards, the boundaries, and ultimately the rewards of being self-disciplined. I always like to share what is working for us and this simple jar, timer, and fake money worked beautifully. My boys are now nearly 13 and 10 and are self-regulated enough where they no longer need these props. But this little jar helped us get to this point.
Love this! I’m a teacher and a new momma and I’m already worried about how much screen time my baby is getting (even by looking at my phone when I’m using it.) I use a lot of technology in the classroom so I know that exposure is there, too, (although it can be beneficial educationally, its still screen time!) and I’ve been thinking about how to limit screen time at home. Pinned this one for a few years down the line. Thank you.
I did something like this with my girls (7, 13). I just ripped up some colored paper into rectangles about and inch by 2.5″. Each ticket was with either 5 minutes of scree time or they could save 25 Tickets and trade them for $5. They would get tickets by doing things around the house. Setting the table would get them 1 ticket, cleaning up the dog doo might get them 3. I have it all listed out so they know. I did this two summers in a row and it worked Perfectly.
I like this idea also!! Thanks for sharing.
I love this idea!! My girls are 3 and 4 and they already get too much screen time. I need a system similar to this in our household. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Seng
Great idea? What/how many of each coin denomination (quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies) do you give each child to make the $4.20? Most TV shows are 35 minutes, and movies vary in length.
I make sure they each have a wide range of coins and plenty of pennies for both of them. If you want to allot more time per kiddo this set of play money might work better: http://amzn.to/1DJslMw
Bravissimo !! What a great idea! Let us all know a few months from now if its still in place and working. 🙂 Where were you 25 years ago when…oh wait! Same place our boys were in time!