Time management for children

We want to raise kids with a DIY attitude, but in the interest of order we take on so much of their personal management and leave them to just follow orders. Authority over our own time is one of the most empowering things we can have. When we're calling the shots, we make better choices, use our time most effectively and end up feeling better about the decisions we make. Children are no different.

Those marvelous Mealeys introduced our family to the idea of TV tickets. Each week they give their children tickets worth 30 minutes of television each. The children choose when and how they spend the tickets. They even give the children a choice of saving tickets and converting them into book cash, where they can have a dollar towards a book for each unused ticket.

Follow me through the break and I'll share a bit about the modified system we're working at our house.

We needed to make it more suitable to our boys younger ages and to take into account Josh's love for computer and video games. We're dealing with a preschooler, so he can't manage a whole week at a time. We give tickets daily and occasionally allow for a roll over.

Each morning he gets 3 video game tickets (15 min each), 3 computer tickets (20min. each), and 2 TV tickets (20 min each or two kids shows). I sure some of you read that and you're horrified at the amount of screen time, while others think it's minimal. You'll choose what ever amounts of time work for your family, but the ideas are the same.

Each ticket is a different color. We have a decorated shoe box with a slit in the lid where he puts the tickets as he uses them. The first few days he spent the entire morning using tickets, but learned pretty quickly that they are worth saving. Now he feels proud when he makes a choice to combine TV tickets for a special movie or save a video game ticket to share with Daddy after work.

While he does get authority to choose when to use his tickets, and he's getting a valuable lesson about managing his own time, we do still retain some authority. We have blackout periods where there is no TV, video games or computer. Particularly first thing in the morning, and during meal time.

I though this was a great way to stop the nagging requests for a show, while teaching them some valuable self management. Would you implement a commerce system like the Mealeys? How does your family deal with TV time? I'd love to hear your recommendations on teaching children time management, self discipline and responsibility.

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