# data[].attributes.body
Is this Normal??

The biggest challenge for my family right now is boredom!! My kids are watching a lot of TV, playing video games, and hanging out in their rooms all day. Over time, this has become a habit, and getting them to do anything else is quite a challenge. Any suggestions?

Response:

This has been a concern for both adults and children. While routines can be comforting, if they compete with healthy behaviors, they can become a problem. Try these strategies:

Examine your schedule, your family’s schedule, and each child’s schedule. Look for times that “down time/alone time” is appropriate, and when you can schedule in other activities. For example, is there a chores time on the schedule? A family hang-out time (cooking, playing board games)? How about outdoor time? Try to develop schedules that balance sedentary activities (TV, games) with social (games, cooking)  and physical activities (going for bike rides, walks, yard work)

Next, post the schedules. Digital formats work best for some families, while white boards or paper copies work better for some.

Now the hard part: you’ll need to prompt your child to follow the schedule, and reinforce following it! For example, when it is time for your child to move to the next section of the schedule, ask them to check it-praise them for doing so, and you may want to include a reward system. For example, “if you follow your schedule for the day, you can go to bed 30 minutes later, or have dessert, or earn a $1”.

Check out common sense media for schedule apps

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to Content

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this app.

Kids can learn how planning, organizing, and completing chores along with others in their household can help keep daily life running more smoothly. By using Chore Pad, kids can learn how taking responsibility for chores can be rewarding in many ways -- not only by earning the customized rewards parents build into the app, but also through building self-awareness and being a productive member of a team. Chore Pad can help kids see in a concrete way how their contributions to household work matter.

Quite intuitive and easy to choose, assign, organize, and track chores. There are two basic modes -- one for parents (that shows an unlocked padlock in the corner of the screen) and one for kids (locked). Users have their own cards that list their chores, either in words or words with icons for kids who can't yet read. All information can be synched to Dropbox.

Kids earn points, "payouts" for chores completed, and trophies when they reach a certain level of points.

What's it about?

Parents can read a thorough tutorial on how to set up the chores and the individual charts, how to assign points, and how users earn rewards. Each user gets a flip card tacked to a virtual cork board that they flip to view the number of chores completed and rewards earned. Parents must create each chore and then assign them to a specific person's card. Once that's set up, all kids need to do is go to their card and tap the date and the chore they've completed to record it.

Is it any good?

Talk to your kids about ...

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate

About these links

Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Thank you for your support.

Our ratings are based on child development best practices. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. The star rating reflects overall quality and learning potential.
Learn how we rate

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this app. Kids can learn how planning, organizing, and completing chores along with others in their household can help keep daily life running more smoothly.

# data[].attributes.body
Has your child surprised you during this time? Have you noticed something amazing? Just click on the link below to share your child's awesomeness!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Please share something fantastic you have noticed or learned about your child during this time at home. We will award your child an Eagle Card for awesomeness!!

# data[].attributes.body
Is this Normal??

One of my child's 8th grade friends is having a bar-b-que and sleep over.  9 other kids invited so 10 total, parents reassuring me kids will be 6 ft. apart at all times and they will supervise everything.  We are very torn about letting our child go and are the only parents concerned. I'm feeling inadequate as a parent, and angry that I'm in this situation. Is this normal?

Response:

While this was a similar question last week, there have been many changes since then! We have seen adults across the country express frustration with restrictions. This is normal! Adults typically do not accept being told what to do and not do easily, especially when they don’t believe the rules are fair or just. It sounds as if you do believe the rules are important to follow, and resent being in a position to justify this to other adults, as well as your child. Keep in mind that this will be only one situation in which you will need to decide whether to follow other parent/peer choices or follow your own beliefs. Ask yourself, what decision-making process do I want to model for my child?

Try these family strengthening and problem solving activities:

Draw 3 circles on a large piece of paper, one inside the other. Label the largest one Maine, the second one Windham, and the smallest one Us. How do the present restrictions and rules impact each one of these? What are the Pros/Cons of following the rules?

Research and discuss other historical events that have similarities to the present situation (for example the Spanish Flu, Polio). How did people respond? What were the outcomes?

Design a family values crest. Brainstorm values your family deeply cares about (for example generosity, kindness, fairness, cooperation, respect, courage, friendliness, empathy, leadership, helpfulness, responsibility, loyalty, honesty). Have your child draw or find symbols/pictures to represent these values. Discuss how your family crest can help you through this difficult time.

# data[].attributes.body
Is this normal??!!

My 7th grader has friends who are still getting together to hang out. I've explained over and over why this isn't safe but he continues to nag at me, yelling even, that he is the only kid who has to stay home. This is starting to be a problem!! Please help!

Response:

We have heard this concern from many parents!

Try these strategies:

*Review the importance of keeping others safe: it's one way people grow into responsible citizens. Connect this value to other ways to demonstrate keeping others safe-such as when driving, babysitting, and preparing food for others

*Establish the importance of following family rules and expectations. Each family has a set that are acceptable to them, and that is ok. By acknowledging that some families handle situations differently, but your rules remain the same, will help you as you move into adolescence.

*If your child is becoming aggressive or unsafe, please call 1-888-568-1112 for crisis level support.

# data[].attributes.body
You have seen a lot of suggestions about mealtimes...what are some new ways to make it fun?
*Assign each night a theme (Meatless Mondays, Taco Tuesdays...) and have your child responsible for finding new recipes to try. Or have all of the themes in a bag, and have your child choose one and then find a recipe.
*Want to get creative? Have a "Chopped" night. Assemble a box with ingredients, and have your child imagine what to make with them

# data[].attributes.headline
Behavioral and Social Emotional supports available through the Windham Middle School

# data[].attributes.subject
Behavioral and Social Emotional supports available through the Windham Middle School

# data[].attributes.body
Julie Packard, Behavior Analyst: jpackard@grsu14.org
Sue Austin, LCSW:
saustin@grsu14.org
Michelle Gilbert, Guidance:
mgilbert@grsu14.org
Mary Dempsey, Guidance:
mdempsey@grsu14.org

# data[].attributes.body
This survey will help us to identify interests and needs