Did you know that more than two-thirds of parents say that raising children is more difficult now than it was twenty years ago? The world is changing quickly. Children are faced with more distractions than ever before. Even though it is more culturally acceptable to give children more privileges at earlier ages, it’s important that you do what is right for your child. If you want to understand when is the right time to give children privileges like having an allowance and getting screentime, read on and we’ll tell you everything that you need to know.
When to Start Giving Your Children Screen Time
By the time your child reaches seven or eight years old, chances are that they’re going to start asking you to allow them to use your phone. Though it’s easy to give in to your child’s requests, it’s important as a parent to make decisions that have their best interests in mind.
The first thing to be aware of is that it shouldn’t matter what your child’s age is or whether their friends use digital devices. What matters is that your child is ready to make good decisions while they’re online.
This includes knowing things such as how social media will influence them, the dangers of cyberbullying, and what it means to use digital technologies responsibly.
It usually takes time for children to learn these things. This is why it’s so important to set limits on screen time for kids.
You should consider banning all smartphones, tablets, and computers when you’re having family meals.
You should also put limits on your children’s screen time before bedtime. This is a time of day when your child needs to wind down for sleep. If they are staring at their digital devices it will be difficult for them to get proper sleep.
If you are a parent of a child who has ADHD, you should also be aware that your child will probably have an especially difficult time not getting wrapped in the distractions offered by digital devices. This is why you should keep a close eye on how much screen time they are using.
When to Start Giving Your Child an Allowance
Many people who don’t learn the basics of financial literacy as youth end up going into debt as adults. This is why it’s important to familiarize your child with the concepts of budgeting and saving money at an early age. By giving children the opportunity to manage their allowances, they’re able to learn how to think about money in terms of choices, alternatives, and consequences.
Though there is no perfect age for starting to give your child an allowance, it’s a good time to familiarize your child with the concept of having an allowance by the time they attend their first day of school. The most important thing is that you feel your child is ready to have an allowance. You shouldn’t set a particular age.
Experts say that the best way to offer allowances is by tying them to a child’s accomplishments. This is why many parents choose to give their children allowances after doing things such as completing their household chores.
You can also offer them an allowance based on what grades they’re getting at school, or how well they are behaving. Many parents of children who are picky eaters also find that it’s beneficial to offer a higher allowance when their children try out new foods.
How Much Money to Include in Your Child’s Allowance
If you’re not sure how much money you should be giving your child, it’s a good rule of thumb to start offering them fifty cents per week for every year of their age. Therefore, a sixteen-year-old child would receive eight dollars per week. An eight-year-old child would make four dollars per week.
With this being said, many families choose to give their children a much higher allowance once they reach their teens. In these situations, parents will keep an eye on what their children are spending their money on in order to support them in making responsible decisions.
For example, a parent might give their child a higher allowance which is tied to the expectation that they also take on more responsibility. This is a great way for helping children to understand the value of working towards their important goals.
When to Buy Your Child a Phone
For most children, getting their first phone is a right of passage. It’s likely that by the time they’re in their tweens, your child will be begging you to get them a phone. It’s also likely that many of their friends will have phones by this time.
But there are several things that you should be aware of before you give in to your child’s requests to buy them a phone.
First, you need to decide if you are going to spend the money to buy them a phone, or if you prefer to help them buy their own phone by offering an allowance.
By helping your child to save up their own money to buy their first phone, they’re more likely to take care of it. This is because they’ve had to work for it.
You should also decide if your child is mature enough to have a phone. You should observe how your child has managed themselves when you’ve given them screen time on your own digital device.
Have they stayed on task? Have they been able to put the device down when you’ve requested them to?
Making Choices for What Is Best for Your Child
If you’re wondering when is the best time to start giving your child more freedom with screentime, allowance, and sleepovers, remember that it’s most important to help them take small steps towards self-sufficiency.
If you want to know more, check out our website to read articles about what it takes to be a great parent. And if you are ready to help your child to grow through exploration, visit our programs page to find out about the many ways we can help your children to grow. Be sure to contact us today!
The Learning Experience – Huntington Beach
17131 Beach Blvd
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(657) 244-8948
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