Say “Yes To NO”
Monday, May 12th, 2008We see 5000 “yes” messages everyday and that has a lot to do with why parents today have more difficulty telling their children “no” compared to previous generations, according to Michael Mann of the National Institute on Media and the Family in Minneapolis. Dr. Mann was in Williston on May 6 for the Region 1 Partners in Prevention Conference.
Whether it’s through print, radio, TV, movies or video games, the media is after us making us feel like we need more.
Our kids spend an average of 44.5 hours of their time per week in front of a screen (television, computer, handheld game, etc) compared to 28 hours per week 15 years ago.
Today 25% of our babies under the age of two years have a television in their room and 27% of school aged kids have internet in their bedroom. Our children spend twice this amount of time on the internet and go to more place we don’t want them to go than places we would like them to go.
“Children are bored in the classroom because teachers cannot entertain them like electronic media,” according to Dr. Mann.
Children and youth are growing up in a culture of impatience, a need for instant gratification and unrealistic expectations.
Self-discipline is the single most predictor for success of our children. We need to learn to say “no” to ourselves.
Teachers today spend 75 to 80% of their time and energy managing behavior.
Parents need to step up to the plate!
There are 500,000 predators on the internet at anytime.
The video game industry is bigger than Hollywood. Games with rock stars, Man Hunt, shooting, killing robots are common. Kids learn through observation and imitiation.
Video Game Addiction symptoms:
* Choosing games over most other activities
* Repeatedly breaking family rules about when and how much game playing is allowed
* Throwing temper tantrums when limits are imposed
* Falling asleep in school
* Not keeping up with assignments
Ten Steps to “Say Yes to No.”
1. Read the book–available for sale at:www.mediawise.org and learn to say no.
2. Support, don’t rescue.
3. Encourage, don’t coddle.
4. Get kids what they need not everything they want.
5. Back up teachers and schools.
6. Become a MediaWise Parent by visiting www.mediawise.org
7. Set clear and high expectations.
8. Expect kids to do chores.
9. Set and enforce clear limits and consequences.
10. Expect kids to volunteer and help others.
The Partners in Prevention Conference was sponsored by the Region 1 Prevention Program and Watford City Community Coalition.