My 3-year-old understands the concept of "it needs to charge." We struggled with this too, and took a hard look at ourselves. When the iPad was away "charging," it was VERY out of sight, out of mind. But when DH or I were surfing away on our devices, they see us and want the same. The best way for us all to curb this habit has been to just put the damn things away and talk to each other. but I agree that it's so hard!

You can turn off the video viewing and put a lock on youtube and safari. I did that. I don't mind as much if they want to play a few educational games or use it to color, but the endless viewing of videos was driving me nuts.

Anonymous wrote:All the Ipads have to go to the Ipad hospital for a few weeks to get fixed. Out of sight out of mind. Break the pattern and then decide on limits when they are "all better"

There is no difference between Ipad viewing and TV viewing.

Love it! The ipads are all broken. Cold turkey. Gives you a chance to change the pattern without hysteria. Kids understand "it's closed" and "it's broken" perfectly (just don't let them see them!)

Wi-Fi is not bad for anybody. Cmon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the Ipads have to go to the Ipad hospital for a few weeks to get fixed. Out of sight out of mind. Break the pattern and then decide on limits when they are "all better"

There is no difference between Ipad viewing and TV viewing.

What's wrong with Ipad viewing or TV viewing? I don't follow.

Please stop the baiting. It is tiresome.

What about the wi-fi? It is so bad for little kids! If they're watching Netflix, can't you stream that on the big TV while you wean off the ipad?

Anonymous wrote:All the Ipads have to go to the Ipad hospital for a few weeks to get fixed. Out of sight out of mind. Break the pattern and then decide on limits when they are "all better"

There is no difference between Ipad viewing and TV viewing.

What's wrong with Ipad viewing or TV viewing? I don't follow.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the Ipads have to go to the Ipad hospital for a few weeks to get fixed. Out of sight out of mind. Break the pattern and then decide on limits when they are "all better"

There is no difference between Ipad viewing and TV viewing.

I'm one of the self admitted over users above. I think the Ipad viewing is worse. If the tv is on, my kids will often continue to play or whatever, using it more as background sound. I don't like this, but they are at least playing. With the ipad, they are more inclined to just sit and watch..

+1 And it's a terrible way to watch a movie that was made for the big screen!

Anonymous wrote:All the Ipads have to go to the Ipad hospital for a few weeks to get fixed. Out of sight out of mind. Break the pattern and then decide on limits when they are "all better"

There is no difference between Ipad viewing and TV viewing.

I'm one of the self admitted over users above. I think the Ipad viewing is worse. If the tv is on, my kids will often continue to play or whatever, using it more as background sound. I don't like this, but they are at least playing. With the ipad, they are more inclined to just sit and watch..

For a day or two talk to your husband and really think about what is reasonable, how much time feels right, times of the day that you feel you need it etc. Then set your family limits and live by them strictly. It will be hell for a little while and then it will be okay. Your kids will go back to finding other things to do with their time including being bored which is good for them and their creativity.

All the Ipads have to go to the Ipad hospital for a few weeks to get fixed. Out of sight out of mind. Break the pattern and then decide on limits when they are "all better"

There is no difference between Ipad viewing and TV viewing.

Yes, we got caught in the cycle too w/ Netflix and we have Verizon Fios app too w/ our DD. What we did w/ DD who is in 2nd grade now is we set a timer on the weekends at to how long she can use the iPad (watch a movie/games, whatever). Usually it's one movie, then turn it off and maybe late afternoon an hour to use it. She no longer have privileges during the week b/c when we get home it's almost 6pm it's time to do homework, have dinner, nightly reading, and take a shower. She now had her own iPad mini but the same rules apply. Oh - there's no watching the ipad when we sit down at the table for a family meal. She'll sometimes watch in on weekend AM while eating breakfast but that's by herself at the dining table.

I have this problem, too. Mainly in the morning when someone wakes up earlier than I'm ready to get out of bed. It's like a drug that I can't break free of!

I'm with you.

I mean, I'm with you.

My problem is my husband. It's so easy to hand it off. The only thing you have to enforce is taking turns. We need strict time limits or we will casually let them use it too much.

My little kids - preschooler and Kindergartener - have started using our iPads pretty frequently. I used to limit the use to educational games, but dad opened up the world of Netflix, and now we're at the point where it's plopped in front of them at breakfast and just all the time, sometimes watching educational stuff, but also a lot of crap. It's like they have a tv that they carry around with them wherever they go and I hate it! But we've used it as a crutch for so long now I have no idea how to break the cycle. Has anyone else gotten caught in this cycle? If so, was there a way to break it without everyone losing their minds?