Does forcing a child to do something active in exchange for screen time create a situation where exercise become like broccoli and wii dessert? Forcing a child to do things outside seems likely to make the child resent having to do outside activities.

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you from experience that it will only get worse. Set strict limits NOW!

We let our 12 year old have free reign on video games while we were dealing with a sibling with a severe illness as well as an elderly parent in hospice. We took the path of least resistance and are now paying the price.

Our DC is at a very expensive, engaging outdoor sleep away camp and is having major video game withdrawal issues.

This isn't always true. When our DS got Wii (at 7) he was obsessed. Like OP's DC, he wanted to play all the time and complained when we were out because he wanted to be home playing Wii. We set some limits, but not a ton. Our kid is sort of an obsessive kid (one interest at a time). But like his other obsessions, he got over it in time (about 4-5 months). Now he plays once in a while, but not all the time. He doesn't ever complain when we're out because he wants to be home playing Wii. It was just new and exciting, and now it's out of his system.

OP, sometimes it helps to designate one weekend day the screen time day, and one day non screen time.

So let him use his Wii time for more hours Saturday, but Sunday is family day.

So he might not be thrilled about going on a family hike on Sunday, say, but at least he won't feel it is eating into his Wii time.

We told our child(age 11) that he may use internet/tv/Wii/DVDs for any 2 hour period each day (during the summer) between the hours of 4 and 9 PM. He may choose the hours and they do not need to be in a row. He needs to come to dinner though and sit all the way through it and clean up with the family, but as much as possible we will work with his timing when scheduling mandatory family events in the evening hours. So all day long, he is aware that computer games just are't an option -- and therefore there's no whining.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn't he just lose the Wii if he whines? "We're doing
X." If he whines or is a PITA, he can't play on the Wii that day. He can adjust his attitude and maybe play the next day (or whenever he would normally be allowed).

Because she made him earn it in the first place. Not fair then to take it away.

I disagree. Rules can change when circumstances change. If DC whines, he's not going to get what he wants. That should be a global rule, not just for the Wii. He can play the Wii if the family has no other plans AND if he doesn't misbehave. Misbehavior ALWAYS means not getting treats. (Special foods, special trips, friends over, special toys.)

I can tell you from experience that it will only get worse. Set strict limits NOW!

We let our 12 year old have free reign on video games while we were dealing with a sibling with a severe illness as well as an elderly parent in hospice. We took the path of least resistance and are now paying the price.

Our DC is at a very expensive, engaging outdoor sleep away camp and is having major video game withdrawal issues.

Anonymous wrote:We pretty much had to stop cold turkey. There was no video games on weekdays, but they were crazy on weekends. Sometimes I get so busy that I could not monitor constantly and they would keep it on without me knowing. Done. I took them all. I was fighting all the time. I also refused to buy games, etc. and they knew I HATED it. I regret every buying the games.

I'm in awe. Here I would do the same but I don't get to decide, everything must clear with "DH". It is futility.

We pretty much had to stop cold turkey. There was no video games on weekdays, but they were crazy on weekends. Sometimes I get so busy that I could not monitor constantly and they would keep it on without me knowing. Done. I took them all. I was fighting all the time. I also refused to buy games, etc. and they knew I HATED it. I regret every buying the games.

Ours on on the main TV in the house so they have to ask, Also they know that if it's a nice day out don't bother asking because they are only going to be sent out to play.

Anonymous wrote:My DS is seven and here is what we do. No DS and iPod on the weekdays. He has to earn the time on the weekends by having good behavior at school and doing well academically. Since he turned 7, he has gotten sassy a lot and there is more backtalk so I've added home behavior to the equation. He lost all of his time last weekend due to backtalk and he knows why he lost it. He gets to play on Sat. and Sunday mornings when he wakes up until I get up. That's it. No more. It doesn't interfere with any weekend plans b/c the time ends by 9-10am on the weekends.

this is what we do too. We have three boys and they know there are no video games of any sort on school days/nights. I find that they get into the games and refuse to participate in other activities so we just eliminated the games. In all honesty, there is very little time during the school week anyway. The weekends are more their time and can choose to play an hour or two a day if they want-surprisingly enough they don't.