Tips For Success

Think your kids just won't survive without the television? Here are some quick tips and strategies to help wean them off their TV dependence!

1. Set limits. Make your family aware that the goal for everyone is to limit screen time to no more than two hours a day.
2. But don't go cold turkey! Try reducing you and your kids' TV time by small increments. Maybe a half hour the first week, an hour the second week, and so on until you're reached the two hour goal.
3. Get out that TV budget. Fill it out at the beginning of every week. Make watching TV something you and your kids look forward to doing! Incorporate video games, movies, and computer time into the budget to make sure screen time doesn't go over two hours each day.
4. Don't give in to, "Mom, I'm bored!" You know you'll hear it, but that's okay. For kids, boredom often leads to creativity! Let them find a way to entertain themselves.
5. Take control of the TV. Right now is the perfect time to remove that TV from your child's bedroom. TV is a major distraction for kids--keeping them from homework, reading, even sleeping! Plus, it's hard to monitor what your child is watching when he's "hiding out" in his room.
6. Be a role model. Show kids your ability to easily stay entertained, engaged, and active without TV. Start an activity, maybe a puzzle, project, or start cooking in the kitchen and invite your kids to take part.
7. Talk to your kids. Rather than just letting your kids plop on the couch and hoard the remote, ask them exactly what program they plan to watch. When the show is over, encourage them to get up and do something else.
8. Make certain days/times of the week "TV Free." Try no TV on school nights or set up a game night on Thursdays to keep that TV off. Keep the TV off during meals, homework time, and chores.
9. Share and get ideas! Share success stories and get new ideas from other families.