My kids are 9 and 11 and I feel like we're constantly battling over iPads and YouTube. We try to do 1 hour after homework but it never actually works out that way. Wife and I are on different pages about it too. What are you guys doing? Feel like we're way too lenient but also don't want to be the meanest dad on the block.
Same boat here with four kids. We finally switched to a system where they earn screen time by doing other stuff first - reading, outside play, whatever. Made it less of a battle and more of a choice they're making. Still not perfect but way better than the constant negotiating.
The constant battling is exhausting right? We went with a combo of Screen Time limits and just being really transparent about why. Helps when they understand it's not punishment, it's balance.
YouTube is the worst because one video always leads to five more. We had to just accept that some YouTube happens and focus on the big picture instead of fighting every single instance. Less stress for everyone.
My kids are 9 and 11 too and we've basically given up on being too strict about weekends. Weekdays we enforce it hard but weekends we let them have a bit more freedom. Works better for everyone's sanity.
Nine and eleven is the age where you can actually explain why limits matter instead of just enforcing them. We started letting our kids earn extra screen time for reading or homework. Changed the whole dynamic.
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The 9 and 11 age range is rough because they actually know how to find loopholes in any system you set up. We do device-free dinners and no screens an hour before bed, and that's been the non-negotiable part. Everything else we're a bit more flexible on.