How to Keep Your Kids from Becoming Couch Potatoes

I’m using Mondays to clear out my mailbox, and today’s question comes from a concerned mom whose child is turning into a couch potato. Read on for my best tips for dealing with this problem at the root.

Question: Help! My kid won’t get off the couch!

Answer: Set some reasonable limits

Dear Mom:

This is a common problem for a lot of parents. I can’t begin to count the number of moms who have written to me over the years seeking advice in this very area.

Did you know that the average American teen spends 72 hours a week using electronic media (defined as television, video games, Internet, music, and cell phones)? That’s roughly equivalent to holding down two full-time jobs! And that’s in 2011. The problem will likely get worse if we don’t take steps to change that trajectory!

If your primary concern is getting your son to exercise, you can simply buy a stationary bike equipped with a generator that powers his television and video equipment. That way, he’ll be forced to pedal if he wants to watch TV or play games, and you’ll both get what you want.

But if you are rightly troubled by the fact that your son is missing out on much more than exercise by holing up in his room that way, I suggest you try one or more of the following suggestions:

1. Restrict access

Start by moving the TV and video games out of your child’s bedroom altogether. As long as electronic gadgetry is readily available, our kids will continue to spend their downtime using it by default.

This was the case in my own family. We gave up television over twenty years ago, not be cause we didn’t like it, but because we liked it too much.

As long as watching TV was an option, we’d do so for hours on end. Unplugging the TV — and eventually getting rid of it altogether — opened up a world of opportunities to us as a family and as individuals that would have passed us by otherwise.

2. Set devices aside at agreed upon times

I know restricting access was easier when family screens were shared and plugged into a wall in the form of TVs and desktop computers. Now that kids carry their own smart phones, tablets, and PCs around 24/7, it’s much more of a challenge.

You can still curb the use of such digital devices at specified times by having everybody deposit their phones in a basket before family meals and/or having them dock all their devices in a central (possibly locked?) charging area before bedtime.

3. Give your child a checklist

Even if you’re unwilling or unable to keep your child off screens completely, you can lay some ground rules about what needs to be accomplished before turning on the TV or powering up the iPad. You can discuss with your spouse and/or child what deserves a spot on your checklist, or download a free printable version of the one we use:

4. Try a longer media fast

If you are serious about challenging and changing the status quo at your house, consider going on a month-long media-fast. Gather the family and discuss your concerns. Lead by example (don’t expect your son to be happy about giving up his video games while you remain glued to your iPhone).

Ask your child to help brainstorm ways to use the time you won’t be watching television. playing video games, or scrolling social media.

The options are limited only by your imaginations, but I think you will find that the longer your family’s media-fast lasts, the more active and creative those imaginations will become.

I hope these tips will move you and your screen-addicted son in a positive direction! If you want to read more on this topic, check out the following posts:

Helping Screen-Addicted Kids Make Better Choices

Managing Screen Time

Boredom Busters for Kids

From Gaming to Reading

Get Up & Go

Want more fun ways to get fit as a family? Grab a copy of my book, Get Up & Go. It is full of quick and easy ways to add more movement to your days.