Summer Screen Rules – Free Printable 5

It is no secret that I find balancing screen time challenging. My boys would quite happily spend some days on their Xbox or screens all day.  So this summer we are implementing some summer screen rules for my sanity! Now I realise that this might not be for everyone, in fact, one of my besties doesn’t feel the need to implement screen times rules in her home. As always you know what is best for your family and this is what I feel is best for mine.

We already have a number of screen rules such as no tech at the table, no tech in bedrooms and no tech after 6pm.  I am not saying that these rules are for everyone, but they work for me.  As my boys are getting older I want them to be more responsible for their time and for ensuring that they achieve a balance, but as a parent, I know that I need to ensure that they do.

Screen Rules

The above rules work well for us when the boys are at school and have a limited time each day and weekend, however, during the holidays they have much more free time.  When the weather is good I find that I do not need to implement rules as both the boys tend to choose to play outside with their mates, play football, cricket or play on their bikes.  Also with Mini having a broken wrist a lot of the outdoor activities are not his first choice.

Summer Screen Rules

As much as I love that the summer holidays can be more relaxed, Mini really needs routine and I am hoping that this can help keep the peace and set expectations.  I do find the long summer holidays a challenge sometimes especially as I do have to work.

So we sat down as a family and discussed what we all thought would work over the holidays and the summer screen rules is a compromise of that discussion.

I am also going to admit that the boys were not happy with me doing this and I know that there is going to be some pushback, but I strongly feel this is the best for us all as a family.  I also believe that once they get used to the new summer screen rules then we will all benefit from the routine, predictability and clarity it provides.  I have had some compromise and extended our no screens after 6pm until 7pm for the summer holidays.

For any family that need to wean their kids of their screens then I have some great resources available:

• A month of Screen Free Prompts for tweens
• Setting smart screen time rules
• Ideas for a screen-free family games night
• Month of screen free prompts for kids
• 10 screen free family activities 
• Tips on how to limit screen time
• A Remote Parental Control App for Devices that Kid’s will hate!