Technology/Screen Time Solution For Kids

I don't know about any of you other mommas out there, but my boys sure do try to get excess computer / video game/ TV time. I've never been one to like the idea of kids playing video games, but in this day in age, I've certainly realized it is a battle I can't win. However, it is still so important to me that they get out and exercise, run, play, read and use their imaginations and creativity. I feel screen time should fall after all of that on the priority list.

I've tried my fair share of chore systems, behavior charts and the like to find something that works for my boys. Nothing ever seems to stick, or provides enough motivation for them. I knew that I had to use the one thing they seem to cherish the most these days as leverage: screen time.

I'm going to share with you how I've incorporated technology use/screen time into a system that works to get them to behave properly, be active and creative and do some chores around the house without constantly complaining to me.

I felt it important to put a limit on the time that they are allowed to use in one session, otherwise, it can definitely get carried away. And I definitely feel a 90-min per day max is sufficient {my aim is to never even have that much time be used at once, maybe just on rainy/cold days}.

Do you have a system that helps you keep the technology time under control for your kids? I'd love to hear your ideas. Do you think this system could work for you?

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Happy New {School} Year

Tanner goes back to school next Wednesday!

Something about a new school year sort of brings up the same emotions and motivation I get at New Year's time. It's similar for me in that by now I've usually gotten lax on some of my "resolutions" and in many areas of my life - be it meals, fitness, activity schedules, etc...and the school year starting anew gives me a chance to put a good system in place {hopefully one I can stick to!}

Here are some things I'm excited about for the new school year and some things I plan on doing:

1. Excited that my fitness routine will be so much easier to keep on schedule! The gym is directly across the street from Tanner's school, and since he has to be dropped off around 7:30, that leaves me plenty of time before my 9am work day starts to get a workout in every day. I literally have no excuse to not make it to the gym. I like that. BONUS: Tanner starts baseball on Tuesday and Thursday nights from September 17th to October 24th and his practices are at the Patriot's Point field. For those of you not familiar, that is right next to the base of this bridge which gives me the great opportunity to walk/jog it with Breckin in the stroller while Tanner does his baseball practice:

2. Meal Planning: Always like to get a little more creative with Tanner's school lunches than I am during the summertime. Last year, his lunches looked mostly like this {here's his lunch from the first day of school}:

Additionally, since I'm prepping his lunches, I'm also better about prepping my own snacks and lunch for work so I don't make bad decisions. As you know, I've made a goal of eating a lot more clean than I was, and I plan on sticking with it to meet my fitness goals.

3. I'd like to have more of a routine of sorts going when we get home after the school/work day. On the days Tanner doesn't have a sport/activity going on, I'd like to set aside time for chores and homework, then get a healthy dinner on the table {with a menu plan in place} and have some good quality play time before winding down with the bedtime routine. I also want to make it a goal to prepare all the things I need for the next day the night before {after kiddos are in bed}. It really makes a difference in our mornings...especially with my attitude...since I won't be rushing as much.

I'll be sharing how I plan on accomplishing these tasks, how I'm going to stay organized and of course giving you updates. My main goal is to truly find a system that works, that the family can get on board with and we won't get lazy with. I know there's gotta be such a system out there!

Are you excited for the new school year {if you have kids}? Do you feel like it's a time of renewal as well? What are some of your goals this {school} year? Any tips on staying organized? I'd love to hear from you...

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30 Days of Me: Day 1

I have seen this on other blogs, and thought it was a fun idea. It is called 30 Days of Me. Every Friday (or at least once a week or more), I am going to answer one of the following prompts about myself. Hopefully this will better my writing and give my readers a little more insight into my life.

Here's the list:
Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.

So of course, Day 1 starts off on a sour note (booo!): Something you hate about yourself.

Well, I guess there are a few things about myself that I'm not completely fond of, but the first thing that comes to mind is that I get so consumed with trying to maintain a perfect household and raise the perfect children that I fail to appreciate everything in my life, or nurture my relationships as well as I could. I find that I am "too busy" to make the time that I have with my kids as quality as it could be. Or I get so frustrated with my neverending list of chores that I take it out on my husband. I'm constantly working on this, because I am cognizant of it, however sometimes just realizing you are the way you are isn't always enough to put a stop to it. Now that summer is coming...it's hit me that this is the last summer before Tanner starts school and by the end, Breckin will be one year old. Time has flown so rapidly with these boys and it breaks my heart that I haven't always made the most of that time with them. I want to learn to let go a little bit and realize it's OK to have dirty baseboards if it's because I've been too busy playing at the pool with my boys. I can get to it later! Or it's OK to be behind on laundry if it's because I decided to go to the beach with my family all day instead. So this is something I'm still working on, but I'm definitely looking forward to changing this thing that I don't like about myself. I want to be happy and free and enjoy my family...even if it means I go weeks without mopping my floors. :)