Problems in Parentsville: Are my kids watching too much TV?

Every tried googling this question? Don't! The results will horrify you. 

The internet is awash with horror stories about television. Today we've read it can make you overweight, lower your congnitive functions later in life, and even kill you. Scary stuff eh?

Modern day parents spend so much time worrying about whether they are "getting it right" when it comes to raising kids. But on the other hand, aren't we all guilty of plonking the kids in front of the television to free up time to get chores time, or just gran twenty minutes to yourself?

So what's the best advice when it comes to television and how much is too much?

Take the American statistics, which state that children in the US spend up to 6 hours per day watching television or some other form of screen (such as computer games). At the other end of the scale. some paediatricians recommend children under the age of 2 years old don't watch any television - that's right - none at all. Which could leave you feeling you've already made a huge mistake.

If your kids are spending the bulk of their down time sitting watching the screen, then could some of this time be put to better use? Like extra family time, getting outdoors, taking up a new hobby or craft, or reading a book?

What are they watching? Violence on television is commonplace these days, and can make kids less sensitive to the terror of violence. TV characters often dept and enforce gender roles and racial stereotypes which can be unhealthy. 

So what's our advice? Make "quality over quantity" your motto when it comes to monitoring TV viewing at your place. Set aside time to watching programmes they love, alongside educational programming that could help with their schoolwork or general learning. And once their favourite show is finished? Switch off and encourage them to go and do something else.

Spring is nearly here - so make the most of the warmer weather and get outdoors. Have fun!

Problems in Parentsville : Sibling Rivalry

Do your kids seem to battle with one another from the moment they wake until they go to sleep again in the evening? Is the little voice inside your head screaming "Why can’t they just get along?!!!!"

Here are our top 5 tips for keeping sibling rivalry in check:-

1. Ditch the labels – the smart one, the wild one, the quiet one – you’re creating competition between siblings by using these labels. So stop.

2. Make time for each of them – kids fight to get attention, so give them each 10 minutes of positive one-on-one every day.

3. Stay out of it – when conflict kicks off, give them a chance to work it out on their own. If this doesn’t work, see tip 4!

4. Guide them in the right direction – demonstrate positive ways to resolve conflict, like taking time out, or letting the other person make their point. Make it clear everyone gets a turn to speak in this house

5. Step in – if things are escalating, it might be time to help them reach an agreement. Make it clear that actions have consequences –for example, you’re going to take the game away if they can’t take it in turns to play. Remember to follow through, otherwise they won’t learn for next time.

Look out for more "Problems in Parentsville"  - and how to solve them - on the blog all of this week. 

The Ostrich Effect

In a job you hate, but won’t pursue that dream career because you think you’re not good enough? In a relationship that brings you no joy whatsoever, but frightened of being lonely?

You’re suffering from The Ostrich Effect.

We are all guilty of burying our heads in the sand from time to time, and it’s usually because we are trying to avoid the negative feelings we know are going to come with dealing with a problem.

What we don’t often realise is that The Ostrich Effect is affecting every part of our lives. So how do we get out heads out of the sand?

The first step is to identify what it is that’s holding you back. Ask yourself these 3 questions:

·      What is most important for me?

·      What is stopping me from going for it?

·      What am I doing instead of pursuing what is important to me?

Fear is key to all of this. Find out what it is you’re afraid of, then force yourself to face it. Easier said than done, but believe us, press yourself to deal with what you foolishly fear, and you’ll soon be wondering what you were afraid of in the first place.