If you try to monitor your kids’ usage of electronics on summer break, check out this free printable Summer Tech Time contract for kids!
For stay-at-home or work-from-home parents such as me, you either love summer breaks … or you hate ’em.
As for me, I love the “idea” of fun road trips with the kids, playing outside, heading to the pool and giggling ’til our sides hurt.
But the reality isn’t always so glitter-and-rainbows. Every four minutes I hear “Mom!” from my youngest, and my two oldest are either pretending to be ninja warriors in the living room, or arguing over which Marvel or DC characters are more “lit”.
And EVERYone is wanting to know “When can we get back on electronics?”.
Our Tech Time Solution
We have Xfinity service, and with that comes Xfinity xFi, a tool with many features – one of which is the ability for parents to monitor kids’ time online.
I’ve written before about kids and internet, and how we have a rule of no electronics between 10am & 3pm. That schedule is slightly altered during summer break and weekends, because I have a teen & tween that sleep in, but my youngest gets up early. I’m doing my best to avoid a four-hour binge of the Loud House before breakfast.
But in the evenings, with Xfinity xFi it’s easy to pull the plug on YouTube or whatever they’re watching, with features like Bedtime Mode – helping to make sure kids get a good night’s rest.
Here are the easy steps Xfinity customers can use to set up their xFi:
- Download the Xfinity xFi app
- Snap a pic of your xFi-capable Xfinity Wireless Gateway’s QR code (find it on the bottom)
- Personalize your WiFi name and password – this is where you can have some fun and get creative in naming your WiFi: “Pretty Fly for a WiFi”, “The Promised LAN”, “I Pronounce You Man and WiFi”.
You can see all your devices on your home network via the Xfinity xFi app, assign profiles to better manage devices, and even get alerts if new devices access your network.
You can also get the speeds, coverage, and control you need to enjoy the ultimate home WiFi experience when you rent an xFi Wireless Gateway router/modem all-in-one for an additional fee.
Summer Tech Time Contract
For younger children that need a bit more structure (and especially if they’re Type A list followers!), you may find benefit in this free printable Summer Tech Time Contract here (click the image to pull up the printable PDF):
One of the promises kids will make with the Summer Tech Time Contract is to be careful with devices. This means not only avoiding damages, but also taking care to not click (or tap) on unknown links that could lead to inappropriate content. This is another area that Xfinity xFi can help with, by setting safe browsing modes for kid-appropriate content with Parental Controls.
Find even more features of Xfinity xFi here, and let me know if you’ve found other great ways to manage your kids’ screen time!
And if you want to get REALLY active with your kids, check out this Summer Bucket List free printable!
This post was sponsored by Xfinity, but all words and opinions are 100% my own. See my disclosure policy for more.
I love sharing ways to spend less, so families can do more! My passions are cooking, late night TV and being amused by my witty husband and three kids.
Hi Ann,
Thank you for your column here. Very helpful. I will subscribe.
I’d like to know your opinion on the following situation:
I have sold a few items on marketplace without any
problems. However, I sold a biicycle recently in good working condition. The buyer notified me the next day of
the purchase that the breaks were broken. I sent her the
receipt of a tune up I paid for. The bike was working fine. I put it for sale because I moved and had no more too
or use for it. She wants to return it and her money back.althouhgh I did not refuse to her refund or return of
the bike she is very angry and threaten to report me on Facebook ‘s marketplace. I have not only blocked her I blocked her phone number. I offered to put her money out in the porch because I’m out of town. I asked her to
leave the bike outhere too. She is refusing asking me to meet her somewhere. I said no.
Sorry this happened Sylvia. How was it resolved?
This looks like an easy solution to help the tech time dilemma! That tech addiction can be so strong.
You’re so right Chrysa!
Such a cute idea! We totally reward with tech time at our house!
Rewards and loss of privileges … technology is my kids’ currency.
I love this idea! I think it’s perfect for teaching the kids that technology is a special thing and not to abuse it.
Exactly. It’s a privilege not a right.
This is a good idea and love how convenient it is to use Xfinity to control the internet. I know I have threatened to “pull the plug” on my teen before.
YES! Mainly my son and his “one second!” which is like 10 minutes long!