What an insightful article. We don’t do bedrooms for time out as such, but more as a break from each other. My kids have lots of toys in their bedrooms (but no electronics but music), but this has given me something to think about. They have so much stuff though that there is no where else to put it.

I believe the Bedroom is their quiet and personal space for rest, sleep and read. That is the function of a Bedroom.
If required, also a study space and for homework.
The Family Room is to spend social time with family members, reading, watching television and electronic devises.
The Dining Room is for families to dine together, and a place for family discussions-and general sharing the days experiences, sharing information. Sometimes the Dining room can also be a place for homework if needed.
I believe parents need to connect with the rest of the family. Hand in mobile phones and other electronic devices and turned off at a particular time every day, and do the same themselves.
Television viewing is for family to share together for a particular time every day.
If there is no Play Room, create a play spouse, and this is where some toys are out. For small ones, rotate a few toys each week or so. Children do not need to have every toy out at once.

After school get out in the yard with the kids during the afternoon and play out door games , play ball and catch, swings, trampoline and ride on toys etc some children may have out of school club activities.
Homework can come later, after supper and before bed.
It is so important to have interactions between family and friends. For older children, to connect connect with friends and family that do not come from electronic devises and mobile phones, tweets face book etc.

There needs to be balance and it starts with parents setting the home rules with their children and leading by example.
Who cares what “everybody else does”. Your children do not live with Mr and Mrs Everybody Else.
Mr and Mrs Everybody Else do not pay for the food, utilities, rent or mortgage, you do what you and your children can agree on, is how your home is run, that is how it is.

Our son is nearly 14 years old and his bedroom has always, and continues to be for sleeping. He does have a healthy supply of books for reading at night before sleep, but we will not allow a TV, Xbox, mobile phone etc. in there at all. He is allowed to listen to his iPod on a dock when cleaning his room, or when he wants to spend some quiet time in there, but his room is otherwise device free. I hope to continue this as long as possible.

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  • • Tene replied
    • 09 Feb 2015 , 2:54 pm

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  High Five there!

Bedrooms are for sleeping or relaxing in, not doing stimulating activities (except when an adult having adult time!). I am very much a no tv in bedrooms and no electronics.

Yes, you do need some balance between allowing them some solo time and having everyone together.

Great read, thank you!

One of my cousins used to gewt up to a bit of mischief, probably as he was with all adults and was probably bored. One day my Aunite confiscated his trains because he was using an interior wall as a train track and he went outside to play. A few minutes he Aunty went into an adjoining room where she could check that he was OK without disturbing him at all. Afterwards my Aunty told his Grandma that he has found small wooden blocks and had them lined up as trains. The funny part was he was saying “she thinks she’s smart a piece of damn wood is just as good” Needless to say his Mum was never told, but the others had many a laugh about it.

Luckily I learnt this early enough. Her bedroom must not be used as punishment so when she goes to bed at night she doesn’t think she is being punish.
She has time out in the hallway with no toys. nothing to play with at all!!

Wow I never thought of it like this. I will be sure to hopefully think twice before sending them to their bedrooms

My kids have their rooms as where they sleep, we have a study area and a play from, we try to keep bedrooms for sleep. We use timeout but they never go to their rooms for this

His is exactly why a time out chair or naughty corner with a timer is most effective

My children had beds, basic furniture and a few stuffed toys when they were younger, as they got to school age they would spend a lot of time reading in their rooms, no tv until they were 15, basically because they had no reason as we had them available in other rooms, computers were introduced at about 15 as well, since then they have barely emerged from their rooms, they watch tv, play computers, study and do everything else in their, but to be fair we did have 5 teenagers in the home at one time and this allowed everyone their own space, we did have a no locking of the door policy though.

Toys and books and other interests. No technology; it is kept in shared living areas.

some toys, we play with them together in his room ( 3 yr old), but most toys are out in the lounge. we don’t send him to his room

A bed, clothes and a few teddies, some toys that are just stored there. Bedroom is for sleep and relaxation, I don’t think it should double as a toy room or a time out room at a young age

We have toys in the bedroom but, no TV’s or computers or eating allowed.

interesting article, should be interacting with kids to understand there situation and bedroom is for relaxing so should make it technology free room

Great article great advice. Family is the key. Living room is the place to share. Bedroom is for the bed only.

My little guy is too young to be sent to his room yet but I found this to be an interesting article. We have some of his toys in his bedroom but I tend to play with him when he’s in there. I will occasionally leave him there to play if I’ve really got to get something done though. As an only child he gets a bit bored and will often come to find me soon enough anyway.

Both my kids have tv in there room but there not in there that often they both rather play out side.. Or they play together very well I don’t think putting TVs in my kids rooms has changed them at all.. But I did enjoy reading ur blog, very interesting