Limitations
As parents, we have the responsibility to set limits for our kids. Sometimes the limits cause tears, but the kids eventually adapt. I am amazed at how quickly my kids adapt to new rules when I am consistent and stick to my guns, which I'm usually pretty good at.
Damon has become a video game-aholic. I'm not overly concerned about this because, well, like father, like son. Before the holidays, I noticed his gaming habits were increasing and they escalated during the Christmas vacation. I knew I needed to do something when all my 5-year old wanted to do was play games and throw fits when it was time to turn them off. I also noticed his behavior was getting AWFUL! Yes, he's five and he's going through a really silly stage as is, but I really felt the gaming was a contributing factor. But, I also knew it would be really cruel of me to not let him play his heart out during the holidays. I just dealt with it the best I could.
School started back up this past Monday and with it came my new time limits. Damon must set the timer, he gets 60 minutes per day to play. He can use his allotment all at once or pause the timer and take breaks. I explained this to him and enforced it on Monday. Oh boy, did we have tears and tantrums when that time was up.
Tuesday. I explained the rule again and Damon used up his time before the big kids got home from school. There was some whining and complaining, but nothing like the day before. When the kids got home from school, his little buddy came over to play the XBOX. Umm, sorry, but you've already used up your minutes for today. Damon was mad but they played other stuff and he was fine.
Wednesday. Damon comes home from school and decided he is going to save his game time until Kaden (his friend) gets home from school so they can play together. When the time was up, everything was fine. They turned off the game and there were no tears.
Thursday. Damon waited for Kaden again, but Kaden couldn't play so Damon played by himself. No whining or complaining when the timer beeped.
Today, Friday. Damon played by himself for about 10 minutes then decided to wait for Brent to come home from work before he used up the rest of his time.
I'm thrilled that this is working and Damon is realizing the value of the time he gets to spend gaming. I've also noticed a bit of a change in his behavior. We still have the silly phase, but it's not quite as unbearable as it was a week ago.
I haven't quite decided how to work Saturdays yet. Where it's so blasted cold outside and there isn't much else to do, I'm going to let him play longer than one hour. I'm thinking three, which is a lot, but I'm rationalizing with the fact that he doesn't get to play at all on Sundays.
Damon has become a video game-aholic. I'm not overly concerned about this because, well, like father, like son. Before the holidays, I noticed his gaming habits were increasing and they escalated during the Christmas vacation. I knew I needed to do something when all my 5-year old wanted to do was play games and throw fits when it was time to turn them off. I also noticed his behavior was getting AWFUL! Yes, he's five and he's going through a really silly stage as is, but I really felt the gaming was a contributing factor. But, I also knew it would be really cruel of me to not let him play his heart out during the holidays. I just dealt with it the best I could.
School started back up this past Monday and with it came my new time limits. Damon must set the timer, he gets 60 minutes per day to play. He can use his allotment all at once or pause the timer and take breaks. I explained this to him and enforced it on Monday. Oh boy, did we have tears and tantrums when that time was up.
Tuesday. I explained the rule again and Damon used up his time before the big kids got home from school. There was some whining and complaining, but nothing like the day before. When the kids got home from school, his little buddy came over to play the XBOX. Umm, sorry, but you've already used up your minutes for today. Damon was mad but they played other stuff and he was fine.
Wednesday. Damon comes home from school and decided he is going to save his game time until Kaden (his friend) gets home from school so they can play together. When the time was up, everything was fine. They turned off the game and there were no tears.
Thursday. Damon waited for Kaden again, but Kaden couldn't play so Damon played by himself. No whining or complaining when the timer beeped.
Today, Friday. Damon played by himself for about 10 minutes then decided to wait for Brent to come home from work before he used up the rest of his time.
I'm thrilled that this is working and Damon is realizing the value of the time he gets to spend gaming. I've also noticed a bit of a change in his behavior. We still have the silly phase, but it's not quite as unbearable as it was a week ago.
I haven't quite decided how to work Saturdays yet. Where it's so blasted cold outside and there isn't much else to do, I'm going to let him play longer than one hour. I'm thinking three, which is a lot, but I'm rationalizing with the fact that he doesn't get to play at all on Sundays.
Comments
And kudos for the consistency. One of the things I'm going to try to be consistent on for teaching Owen (he's 8 months right now) is that cell phones, remotes, telephones & keys aren't toys. We'll see how that goes!
Your header picture is really nice. I can't believe how big your kids are now... so grown up. I remember when there was just 2 & they were really little!
Smart thinking girl! I 'll think I'll try it too! thanks!!