Taming the Technology Monster

A couple years ago. my Aunt Lisa introduced me to "Love and Logic," a company with awesome materials for parents. They have stuff for small kids all the way up to older teenagers. Billy and I have used many of their techniques with our foster kids, and we really like Love and Logic's approach to discipline. It is just full of "gems" that help reduce the stress of parenting and help the child take responsibility for their actions. We've found it works for "regular" kids and kids with more emotional/behavioral issues like the ones we've worked with. I am by no means a "Love and Logic guru," but try to incorporate different things I learn from them here and there. Now if I could just learn what to do with an infant!

I receive an email newsletter from them every now and then and thought I might share some of the info on my blog from time to time for those of you who are parents yourselves, work with kids, or are just curious. This week's newsletter was called "Taming The Techology Monster:" Enjoy!....

Do you ever feel like your child's cell phone, MP3 player, game console or computer has taken over your home? While these devices can be wonderful tools for communication, learning, and healthy enjoyment, they can also become dark and destructive without the necessary parental supervision and limits. Listed below are a few examples of the enforceable limits we, as parents, can provide:

• You may have your computer in the living room, not in your room.

• You may be on the internet as long as I'm allowed to review your internet history.

• Feel free to have a cell phone as long as you can pay for the service.

• You may keep your cell phone as long as you are not using it during meals, at church, while driving, etc.

• I've encouraged your teachers to keep any cell phones they find you using during class.

• I allow kids to use technology in my home as long as I feel that they are being respectful and responsible.

• I immediately donate to charity any devices used to view or send pornography.

• I report any illegal electronic activities to the police, even when the person involved is my child.

While we can't control what our kids do when they are away from home, we can set good, solid limits when they're under our roofs. If they complain, "You don't trust me!" reply, "I don't even trust myself. Lots of really good people get in trouble with technology. That's why I always make sure that your dad knows what I'm doing on my computer, too."