Lets be Honest Mamas : Technology with Kids

Its that time of the month again. No, No. Not that. Honest Mamas time! The lovely Hannah Renee started this online mama group called Lets be Honest Mamas and I am so thankful for it. We chat a bit about each topic and how we do life. One of the fun things is we are all at different stages in motherhood. Some of us have one, others have 3. Some are stay at home mamas, some are work from home, others are working mamas and its all just stinking beautiful. I find inspiration from these ladies.

Do you have an opinion on technology use with kids? Do you worry about being on your phone too much around your babies?

Definitely something I deal with. As of late I have been trying to purposefully leave my phone in another room for 1-3 hours. I always feel amazing after doing that.

Then, I think for a moment and realize wait I have my phone on me for 8+ hours a day. I wish it were the opposite that I was on my phone 1-3 hrs a day and left it in the other room for 8 hours.I find its the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I stare at as I doze off. So maybe mama needs a technology time out?

What age did you or will you allow your kids to play with your phone, iPad, etc.? Do you restrict what they do on it? Will you buy them their own tablet?

My little one is a year old. He is allowed the iPad when we are flying. I talked about that here Tips on how to travel with a baby. Cause um, enough said. Flying in an airplane and being stuck in one spot is enough to make any mama say HERE watch mickey mouse! Or maybe its just me. haha. We will decide whether or not we allow him to use computer, phone, or iPad for educational games as we discover how he learns best.

I am really big on catering to each kids needs. Meaning if one of our kids needs public school and another blossoms in private then we will try and do our best to do just that. So while one kid may do great at sitting down and reading books and learning, another may flourish in going out and actually doing what we are teaching them.

I really don’t want to buy any of our kids their own devices. I would prefer for them to have to “check out” a family device. Instead of everyone having devices, we all have to share. Again for the sake of more family time, and saving a few dollars doesn’t hurt.

At what age did you (or do you plan to) let your kids watch tv and for how much time per day? Certain tv shows/channels?

Currently the only kid show I let him watch is Mickey Mouse, really though he doesn’t watch it for long. Daddy likes to watch soccer on the weekends and we love watching our Kansas City Royals so typically the only thing on when he is awake is Sports on the weekend. I really try and make sure the TV is not on everyday. I actually grew up without us watching much TV at all and I am thankful for it. Because of it I don’t watch much TV at all on a weekly basis. Maybe 2 hrs a week.

What are your/your babe’s favorite tv shows and movies? Are you concerned with the message it teaches and do you restrict any shows in particular?

Because we don’t really watch TV I really am not even aware of what all is out there. I definitely will have strict standards though when it comes to what we watch. Shows much teach respect, love, and be teaching kids something educational.

Being goofy is fun and all, but why not just be goofy in real life with your kids instead of some sponge. haha. To answer your question you probably have. Correct, spongebob will NOT ever be allowed in our house. haha.

If you do not use iPad/iPhones as entertainment/distractions while out, what types of activities, toys, explanations do you use?

We do not. I like the idea of trying to use the surroundings as entertainment. I find so often when he is surrounded by toys what he really wants is to explore his surroundings and check out whats on the couch, whats under the chair. To me thats even better. That means less toys in the house!!