Our 'screen time' manager

When I wrote about our TV-free life a few weeks ago, I mentioned we use a timer for managing screen time. Well here's how it works. To begin with we had to buy a timer that counts forwards and backwards. Importantly this timer lives on the fridge so it can be easily found when required...it goes "walkies" once in a while! Hmmmm.

Every time either Harry or Till sits down to do their music practise they grab the timer and switch it on to count up. When they want to play on their DSi's or the iPad they hit the timer switch to count down. Easy hey. Sometimes Harry will spend up to 30 minutes at the piano and maybe another 15 on guitar. Till may earn 15 to 20 minutes at the piano and she's just starting out on the flute. The 'screen time formula' is simple: time spent practising equals "screen time" earned! Just like accumulating interest on your savings really.

We aren't running a precision military operation here... so obviously there are moments when Harry and Till use their electronic devices without having "earned" the time; when the weather is awful, during the school holidays, when someone isn't feeling well etc. But on the whole, throughout the school week, this is the method we use. For us it works quite well.

Sometimes we forget about the timer, but the "music practise earns screen time" scheme still operates successfully. It kinda sounds something like this...

"Mum, can I play on the iPad?"

"Um, yes... *if you did your practise this morning before school!"*

Then after a time (as in how long it takes to chop the veggies for dinner) I just call out...

"time to switch off now" 

...and they do (a five minute heads-up helps).

How do you manage screen time?

NB. It would be helpful to own 2 timers! We rely on Harry's good memory and honesty sometimes.
* Sometimes I go to work before these things occur you see...Mum's aren't always in the loop.