As summer came to a close, my son started to get more and more excited about his upcoming birthday. Like many kids, he loves being outside, swimming, riding his bike, but, also like most kids his age, technology. He started begging for a Chromebook or a Nintendo Switch, asking if he could please get one for his birthday and the other for Christmas. “Pleeeaaassee!!!,” he would beg.
When I found a great deal on a Chromebook right at the end of summer, I had to buy it for him. My thought was that it would be perfect for the start of school. My son, however, had a different idea of what it would be perfect for. Even with firm rules about when and where he would be allowed to use the Chromebook, drama surrounding it ensued.
My son thought he should be allowed free range on the Chromebook; it was “his” after all. Free range for the annoying YouTube videos, Roblox, and the even more annoying YouTube videos. (Did I mention the annoying YouTube videos?) My son’s drive to always be using an electronic of some sort, whether it be the Chromebook or a tablet, was starting to impact everything he did and his attitude.
The Chromebook was “required” to complete his homework, to clean his room, and to live and breathe…even first thing in the morning, you know, before getting on his pants and brushing his teeth (because goodness knows we have nowhere to be on a weekday morning!). He was always claiming that he was “listening” to it and multitasking. When it was time to put it away to do his homework or go to bed, he would cry, whine, and fight. So much drama.
The Chromebook that he wanted so badly had become my number one enemy. Maybe you recognize this daily fight, but maybe your technology enemy is an iPad, Smartphone, or…Fortnite. After multiple daily battles, I had to put my foot down. This technology is a privilege, something that should be earned.
Some of the rules I laid down:
- No Chromebook/tablet “playing” Monday-Friday. He is only allowed to use these devices if it is for school or an educational website, such as Prodigy Math.
- The device remains “hidden. (We are functioning under the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality!).
- He must use the device in a common space in the house.
- Homeroom and chores must be completed before weekend technology time is earned.
So far, this is working for us; the daily fighting is decreasing. It is not a perfect plan though. I mean, he still tries to sneak it, especially if he sees it out.
Combating my technology enemy takes patience and really sticking to the rules.
