Unlike many folks, I don't worry a whole lot on generic screen time. We do a fair amount of homeschooling on the computer and The TV.. well.. it's just on.
I live with a man who works in front of the TV unless he's working outside the house and trying to turn it off goes against his grain, so we work with it. (or around it)
BUT I have learned that I MUST manage my son's game time. I must.
If I don't the following will happen
1. he'll get moody
2. he gets demanding of I NEED TO BE THERE NOW.
3. he'd spend his entire day on the computer playing.
4. he won't sleep well.
so as much as my lad (and his father) like playing minecraft... we need limits.
I live with a man who works in front of the TV unless he's working outside the house and trying to turn it off goes against his grain, so we work with it. (or around it)
BUT I have learned that I MUST manage my son's game time. I must.
If I don't the following will happen
1. he'll get moody
2. he gets demanding of I NEED TO BE THERE NOW.
3. he'd spend his entire day on the computer playing.
4. he won't sleep well.
so as much as my lad (and his father) like playing minecraft... we need limits.
click image to go to source: CT news briefs
So this is what happens in OUR house.
1. all chores need to be finished.
2. all animals must be fed.
3. all homeschooling must be done
4. Lunch must be done.
If not.. no minecraft until send things are accomplished.
THEN he gets to play for one hour.
He likes that.
Then he needs to do something different.. reading, playing a game, helping with stuff, doing something active and involved. Minimum effort involved of one hour doing something. (we often play a game, go for a walk, play with snakes etc)
After that.. he can earn additional time to play.
One hour of work = 1/2 hour of play time. SO work for two minutes, earn one minute.
This works for us.
NO game time after 7 p.m.
One night a week he can play on his tablet while reading books and that's usually on a Friday night.
Some days.. if it's rainy or dad has a day off or whatever he gets extra time cause he and dad play together. talk talk talk, whatcha' doing now? I love the conversation I hear. I feel sad sometimes that I can't play with him or even watch them play it makes me feel ill. So sometimes he catches a break and he is EVER so thankful on those days. THAT I like. :)
Knowing the rules has removed the angst of "can I play, can I play, can I play" which was driving me crazy. Driving me crazy has one of two results: 1. I yell STOP IT and can be unfair. or 2. sure go do whatever (cause I just want it to stop). Neither is conducive to settled home environment.
It's gives him the freedom of working out when playing works best.
It gives him room to do some negotiating. "Mom, I couldn't play today because of _____" can I play for 1.5 hours tomorrow without having to work?"
My usual response is.. NO attitude and good homeschooling and you've got a deal.
Makes for a much calmer house. And I have much less angst cause he's not asking ALL THE TIME if he can play. Things are established and it's working out well. :)
Pray tell ... .. how do you manage such things in your household?
1. all chores need to be finished.
2. all animals must be fed.
3. all homeschooling must be done
4. Lunch must be done.
If not.. no minecraft until send things are accomplished.
THEN he gets to play for one hour.
He likes that.
Then he needs to do something different.. reading, playing a game, helping with stuff, doing something active and involved. Minimum effort involved of one hour doing something. (we often play a game, go for a walk, play with snakes etc)
After that.. he can earn additional time to play.
One hour of work = 1/2 hour of play time. SO work for two minutes, earn one minute.
This works for us.
NO game time after 7 p.m.
One night a week he can play on his tablet while reading books and that's usually on a Friday night.
Some days.. if it's rainy or dad has a day off or whatever he gets extra time cause he and dad play together. talk talk talk, whatcha' doing now? I love the conversation I hear. I feel sad sometimes that I can't play with him or even watch them play it makes me feel ill. So sometimes he catches a break and he is EVER so thankful on those days. THAT I like. :)
Knowing the rules has removed the angst of "can I play, can I play, can I play" which was driving me crazy. Driving me crazy has one of two results: 1. I yell STOP IT and can be unfair. or 2. sure go do whatever (cause I just want it to stop). Neither is conducive to settled home environment.
It's gives him the freedom of working out when playing works best.
It gives him room to do some negotiating. "Mom, I couldn't play today because of _____" can I play for 1.5 hours tomorrow without having to work?"
My usual response is.. NO attitude and good homeschooling and you've got a deal.
Makes for a much calmer house. And I have much less angst cause he's not asking ALL THE TIME if he can play. Things are established and it's working out well. :)
Pray tell ... .. how do you manage such things in your household?
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