Revisit, Revise

If I have learned anything these past five years, it is that parenting is a work in progress.  A few months ago I wrote a post called Reining in a Tyrant.  It was all about curbing many of a certain little boy's undesirable behaviors.  The plan worked well.  When we followed it, things went smoother.  But kids get older and life changes.

Eileen has started actually watching television and movies, although she still often leaves part way through.  Linus, being highly incorrigible, has learned to game the system.  In addition to earning his screen time, he will frequently offer Eileen to watch one of her favorite shows as long as it isn't Dora.  Recently Linus has been offering me the option to pick a show for viewing. 

Another change has been the introduction of Minecraft.  I personally do not understand the appeal of this game at all.  Linus now will use his screen time for Minecraft to the exclusion of all other shows.  When this sort of focus happens, bad behaviors like not listening, screaming, talking back, and growling return.  I dislike the idea that my five year old will play a video game for hours on end without a break.  I want to curb this bad habit before it takes hold too firmly.

Last night I decided it was time to revisit how we allot screen time.  The 2 hours that Linus gets plus what he eeks out through other people's viewing choices and the exhaustion of his parents early in the morning has meant he frequently gets well over two hours of screen time everyday.  No good.  I knew Linus was not going to be a big fan of changes that involved him getting less screen time, particularly less Minecraft.

I share this because I like reading about how real people actually handle their children's behavior and not just what a child behaviorist recommends in a book (not that they never have anything useful to say).  What works for us might not work for someone else.

The new and improved screen time plan:
Instead of earning 30 minute increments at a time, a total of one hour can be earned by each child if all requirements are met.

Linus: 
complete 2 workbook pages or other learning activity
read with an adult
play with Eileen (Linus asked to get rid of this requirement which only told me it was probably the most important.)
get dressed
put dirty clothes in hamper
brush teeth
make bed
dust bust/sweep under dining room table

The big change is that Minecraft becomes a once a week opportunity on the weekends.  Linus prefers to play Minecraft when Dave is around so this will work well while Eileen naps. 

Eileen:  Yes, Eileen gets to join the big girl world of responsibilities.
complete 1 workbook page or learning activity
read with an adult
get dressed
put dirty clothes in hamper
brush teeth
make bed
fold and put away wash clothes and dish towels

Linus cried this morning when we broke the news to him about Minecraft.  He was more upset by that than the loss of an hour of screen time.  He was pleased that Eileen now had to earn her screen time as well.  Eileen liked the idea of earning screen time, but questioned her ability to fold and put away laundry of any sort.  I firmly believe she can handle this.

Hopefully, these changes will work well for awhile or at least until summer.  I know we will be revisiting the subject again.