Screen-Time Strategies
How to Set a Family Media Use Plan
With 24/7 media exposure from TVs, computers, and smartphones, it feels like life is dominated by screens. Consider implementing a media use plan for your family so they don’t miss out on the real world. Set a Curfew Limiting the time your children spend staring at a screen is good for their health. Try to keep screen-time usage to under two hours per day. Implement a rule for no screens at mealtimes, and keep all screens out of bedrooms at night. Keep track of the devices by having a communal charging dock in a shared area where you can make sure everything is plugged in for the night. Have a Chat Don’t shy away from warning your kids about what exists in the digital world. Explain to them that certain content isn’t age-appropriate, and teach them what movie and TV ratings mean. Remind them to be careful about what they put on the internet because anything they upload never really goes away. Teach them to be smart with their decisions. Connect with them on social media if it helps you keep an eye on things. Construct a ‘Media Diet’ Take an active role in what your children watch by co-viewing programs with them. You’ll have a better sense of what they’re seeing and can point them toward the programming that’s right for them. Look for educational
media choices that teach good values. There are a lot of great educational opportunities on the internet, but there’s also a lot of room for negative exposure. If this is a concern, keep the family computer in a public part of your home so you can see what they’re accessing online. It’s important to educate your children about proper media health, but it’s even more important to encourage your kids to be healthy in other ways. Beyond the tips mentioned above, encourage them to play outdoors and read physical books so they can participate more actively in the real world.
Looking Ahead to a Better 2020
3 Reasons to Make New Year’s Resolutions With Your Kids We’ve all read the depressing statistics on New Year’s resolutions. According to U.S. News & World Report, 80% of them are doomed to fail. Still, there can be a lot of benefits to sitting down and laying out your dreams, goals, and plans for the year — and if you can turn the process into a bonding moment with your kids post-divorce, even better!
Here are three reasons why drafting New Year’s resolutions with your kids is a good idea, particularly after a tough divorce: It Will Help Them Feel Heard Odds are, if you’ve just separated or divorced from a partner, your kids are feeling frustrated, confused, and at worst, unheard. Giving them a safe space to air their hopes for the future could encourage them to share what they’re thinking and worrying about. You’ll Get a Chance to Tackle Tough Topics Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, you’re bound to learn something about their worries and fears by listening to their resolutions. For example, a teenager might say, “I resolve not to choose sides,” referencing fears that they’ll be torn between their two parents while a toddler might say, “I don’t want to forget Mommy/Daddy,” referencing a partner without primary custody. Once you’ve deduced these worries, you can have a conversation to address them.
You’ll Feel Like a Team Again When you sit down to make resolutions, there are a few different strategies you can take: You and your children can make separate resolutions, but you can also make joint resolutions for things you’d like to accomplish as a family in 2020. The latter can be a great bonding activity, bringing you closer as a family and team as you work toward shared goals and a bright future. If you’re struggling with a divorce or custody battle and could use the guidance of an experienced family law attorney, we’re here to help. Call The Stevens Firm today at 864-598-9172 or visit SCFamilyLaw.com to schedule a consultation and set yourself up for a better year in 2020.
2 www.SCFamilyLaw.com
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