Encourage Your Kids to Have Fun Without Using Computers

Computers, the Internet, video games and other electronic diversions are a part of most kid's lives, but it doesn't have to get in the way of normal social interactions, especially when other kids come over to hang out or play. One rule that works well in my house when it comes putting some balance between electronic entertainment and old fashioned play is what I call the "30 Minute Rule." The rule is simple--if a friend comes over to visit, for the first 30 minutes there can't be any electrically generated fun. No computer, no television, no video games, no electronically generated entertainment of any kind. I've found that the lack of electronic fun didn't keep the kids from having a good time and I've rarely had the children ready to turn on the juice right at the 30 minute mark.

For more suggestions on how to manage your child's use of computers and the web, you can review Parenting and the Internet, especially the chapter on the parent's role and what kinds of general rules parents should have. You will be sent a link for your free download of the PDF edition of the book when you join the book's mailing list at subscribe.speedbrake.com.