Whoever said that our kitchen timer will be of other use aside from helping us with our cooking?
I bought our kitchen timer with our non-stick roasting pan a couple of weeks back because I and hubby wanted to try out some new dishes. Since the built-in timer of our oven is busted I decided to buy one.
This week I started using our timer for Liam's TV time, mobile time and computer time. I remember Dr. Queena Lee-Chua giving a talk with the Ateneo Grade School faculty about letting our children watch kiddie shows more than twice a day. She said she only allowed her son to watch Barney only once a day because too much exposure with the TV can cause hyperactivity among children. Of course, when I heard that I told myself that when I have my own child, I will do the same. But of course, I already ate what I said, especially when we got here in Sydney. I remember feeling really guilty for letting Liam watch more than one episode of Barney a day, just as so I can do the chores at home. But I have to be realistic and I have come to terms with that. Now, with more gadgets at home (competing for their attention), I feel I must make some sacrifices as well so Liam (and Sam) will not grow up to be TV addicts, computer addicts, and mobile addicts.
I decided to time his exposure to each and Alvin is okay with it as well, because we have seen that if we just let hime be, he can spend the entire afternoon just watching TV, Youtube or playing with his Papa's mobile. When he asks permission to watch TV, I give him a go and set the timer, depending on what show he'll watch. I can bend the rule sometimes because I do get to watch with them and we get to have conversations about what we are watching. But the Youtube and his games on his Papa's mobile are a different matter. I only set 20 minutes for Youtube, twice a day and 10 minutes for his Papa's mobile (Twice a day during weekends). Good thing though, Liam is an obedient kid. Even if I am not beside him and we both hear the kitchen timer ring, he shuts down the computer or TV or gives back his Papa's mobile all by himself and looks for me and his sister to join us in whatever activity we are doing. I don't even have to remind him that the bell rang already and that time is up! (Sigh of relief :))This way as well, we all get to have a go with the computer without him wailing, "Mama's not sharing the computer."
I think, in the long run it will do him and his sister good. We get to balance his play time with the gadgets and of course with his other toys. Not to mention, spending time to play games with me and his Papa, like Tip and play pretend; spend time practicing his writing and reading skills -- good thing though, on school days he knows that HWs first before turning on the TV; reading books and helping mum with the errands at home.
Now, looking at it closely, I think I should also use the timer myself, especially when I am in the computer. Hehehe Ooops, time to go! The bell just rang and it only means one thing, my time is up! ;)
