Guest guest Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 I limit my children's time - understanding that one of Adam's obsessions is computers. They are only allowed to play games for half an hour on school nights - after homework - and an hour on weekends. Any other time must be devoted to whatever research he's doing at the time.FawnFrom: Jenn <jennteel@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 10:23:34 AMSubject: ( ) Games Addictions My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 I don't know your children but ifit were mine I would remove all gaming systems from the house when they are sleeping. then once the craziness dies down talk about the fact that you want to bring it back but you need to work out ground rules for using them or they will have to stay gone. Create a chart and stick to it, otherwise they disappear when they are sleeping again. i would not do it around them because that is just antagonizing to them but them being gone will get their attention. I am not sure what kind of games a 3 year old can play- if you are talking v-smile and leapster or xbox and Wii, but I think the American Academy of pediatrics says only 30 minutes of technology a day at that age. The risk of attentional difficulties and aggression from aggressive games is also higher, so I personlly woudl nip that in the bud. From: Jenn <jennteel@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 10:23:34 AMSubject: ( ) Games Addictions My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Limit PC time and stop buying games, he is 3 so parents are the ones that are in control. I have seen my step son become and addict to games since he was 3, he had games instead of a baby sitter, now he is 18 and he is an addict to games, parents are the only ones that can control until they are 10 at least. After that is harder, but by then they have different habits, and they have learnt to play outdoors. From: Jadczak <bjadczak@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 4:58:35 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Games Addictions I don't know your children but ifit were mine I would remove all gaming systems from the house when they are sleeping. then once the craziness dies down talk about the fact that you want to bring it back but you need to work out ground rules for using them or they will have to stay gone. Create a chart and stick to it, otherwise they disappear when they are sleeping again. i would not do it around them because that is just antagonizing to them but them being gone will get their attention. I am not sure what kind of games a 3 year old can play- if you are talking v-smile and leapster or xbox and Wii, but I think the American Academy of pediatrics says only 30 minutes of technology a day at that age. The risk of attentional difficulties and aggression from aggressive games is also higher, so I personlly woudl nip that in the bud. From: Jenn <jennteel@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 10:23:34 AMSubject: ( ) Games Addictions My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 We are bad, I guess. As long as homework gets done and their chores get done (Putting clothes away, showers, vacuum, clean animal cages, garbage out, etc) whenever we ask......we let it slide. There are days when if I could, I'd sit in front of the tv all day and night. I'm like that with reading. So,,,I can't blame them for wanting to do what they want to do.Like I said, as long as they can still get their stuff done.....I'm good. Oh - and if they can relate to others when needed - they have free reign. Robin "I'm singing.... I'm in a store and I'm singing.......... I'm in a store.... and I'm singing..............." From: Fawn Kazmierczak <lostfranklingirl@...>Subject: Re: ( ) Games Addictions Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 3:38 PM I limit my children's time - understanding that one of Adam's obsessions is computers. They are only allowed to play games for half an hour on school nights - after homework - and an hour on weekends. Any other time must be devoted to whatever research he's doing at the time.Fawn From: Jenn <jennteel@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 10:23:34 AMSubject: ( ) Games Addictions My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Jenn, Why did you introduce videogames to a 3-year-old? On 2/16/11 11:26 PM, " and/or Robin Lemke " <jrisjs@...> wrote: We are bad, I guess. As long as homework gets done and their chores get done (Putting clothes away, showers, vacuum, clean animal cages, garbage out, etc) whenever we ask......we let it slide. There are days when if I could, I'd sit in front of the tv all day and night. I'm like that with reading. So,,,I can't blame them for wanting to do what they want to do. Like I said, as long as they can still get their stuff done.....I'm good. Oh - and if they can relate to others when needed - they have free reign. Robin " I'm singing.... I'm in a store and I'm singing.......... I'm in a store.... and I'm singing............... " From: Fawn Kazmierczak <lostfranklingirl@...> Subject: Re: ( ) Games Addictions Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 3:38 PM I limit my children's time - understanding that one of Adam's obsessions is computers. They are only allowed to play games for half an hour on school nights - after homework - and an hour on weekends. Any other time must be devoted to whatever research he's doing at the time. Fawn From: Jenn <jennteel@...> Sent: Wed, February 16, 2011 10:23:34 AM Subject: ( ) Games Addictions My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated. -- “We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones. Most people are never going to die because they are never going to be born. The potential people who could have been here in my place but who will in fact never see the light of day outnumber the sand grains of Arabia. Certainly those unborn ghosts include greater poets than Keats, scientists greater than Newton. We know this because the set of possible people allowed by our DNA so massively exceeds the set of actual people. In the teeth of these stupefying odds it is you and I, in our ordinariness, that are here.” – Dawkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 We set up a reward system. Our daughter (6) has to read up to 20 pages in a book, do a math page or do a chore in order to earn 1/2 hour of tv or to earn game time. May try something similar? Also, we found that our daughter did very well with educational games, and up until she was 4 that was all she was allowed to play. She got to have fun and I felt good as she learned something while she was at it! Amie > > My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I don't agree using computer games as a reward, in the long run it backfires and the child see it as rewarding so when he feels sad he will go to computer games to make them feel better. Doing this you are building up a form of consolation and support for the child through computer games, is like rewarding a child with food, the results are that the child will develop (not always) into an emotional eater, and risk obesity. Again computer games should not be rewarding. From: Amie <amiedawn1@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 12:37:47 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Games Addictions We set up a reward system. Our daughter (6) has to read up to 20 pages in a book, do a math page or do a chore in order to earn 1/2 hour of tv or to earn game time. May try something similar? Also, we found that our daughter did very well with educational games, and up until she was 4 that was all she was allowed to play. She got to have fun and I felt good as she learned something while she was at it! Amie > > My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Actually, this, too, is a very personal issue. Computer games are incredibly rewarding for many - kids and adults. For some, it's going somewhere alone with a parent. Others, it's stickers. Some, it's tv. Others it's getting to buy something. Robin "I'm singing.... I'm in a store and I'm singing.......... I'm in a store.... and I'm singing..............." From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: Games Addictions Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 11:48 AM I don't agree using computer games as a reward, in the long run it backfires and the child see it as rewarding so when he feels sad he will go to computer games to make them feel better. Doing this you are building up a form of consolation and support for the child through computer games, is like rewarding a child with food, the results are that the child will develop (not always) into an emotional eater, and risk obesity. Again computer games should not be rewarding. From: Amie <amiedawn1@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 12:37:47 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Games Addictions We set up a reward system. Our daughter (6) has to read up to 20 pages in a book, do a math page or do a chore in order to earn 1/2 hour of tv or to earn game time. May try something similar? Also, we found that our daughter did very well with educational games, and up until she was 4 that was all she was allowed to play. She got to have fun and I felt good as she learned something while she was at it! Amie>> My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 and it doesnt really matter what the reward is, the same issue applies. if it is food, they will become obese, if they play computer games, they will be co-dependent on a game, but that isnt necessarily true either. some types of rewards are better for some kids than others. you just need to reward with what works. And one way is not better than the other. it is a personal choice. Sycamore Art StudiosSycamore Art SchoolDeborah GustlinGraphic & Web DesignArt classes for K-12www.sycamoreartstudios.comwww.sycamoreartschool.comHome: 408-710-0892 Business: 408-710-6070From: and/or Robin Lemke <jrisjs@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 2:03:40 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Games Addictions Actually, this, too, is a very personal issue. Computer games are incredibly rewarding for many - kids and adults. For some, it's going somewhere alone with a parent. Others, it's stickers. Some, it's tv. Others it's getting to buy something. Robin "I'm singing.... I'm in a store and I'm singing.......... I'm in a store.... and I'm singing..............." From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: Games Addictions Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 11:48 AM I don't agree using computer games as a reward, in the long run it backfires and the child see it as rewarding so when he feels sad he will go to computer games to make them feel better. Doing this you are building up a form of consolation and support for the child through computer games, is like rewarding a child with food, the results are that the child will develop (not always) into an emotional eater, and risk obesity. Again computer games should not be rewarding. From: Amie <amiedawn1@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 12:37:47 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Games Addictions We set up a reward system. Our daughter (6) has to read up to 20 pages in a book, do a math page or do a chore in order to earn 1/2 hour of tv or to earn game time. May try something similar? Also, we found that our daughter did very well with educational games, and up until she was 4 that was all she was allowed to play. She got to have fun and I felt good as she learned something while she was at it! Amie>> My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 It is always a personal choice, but there are differences in rewards, some rewards are destructive some are constructive, like everything in life. There are rewards that are better than others. I am not saying that all children that receive computer games or food will become addicted, what I am saying is that if you use something, anything as a reward, it becomes something that the child when he/she grows up will see like a consolation prize, which is not good with certain rewards, like food or in this case computer games. Again that was just my opinion, it will always come to a personal choice (in this case the parents choice) From: Deborah Gustlin <sycamorestudios@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 5:25:59 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Games Addictions and it doesnt really matter what the reward is, the same issue applies. if it is food, they will become obese, if they play computer games, they will be co-dependent on a game, but that isnt necessarily true either. some types of rewards are better for some kids than others. you just need to reward with what works. And one way is not better than the other. it is a personal choice. Sycamore Art StudiosSycamore Art SchoolDeborah GustlinGraphic & Web DesignArt classes for K-12www.sycamoreartstudios.comwww.sycamoreartschool.comHome: 408-710-0892 Business: 408-710-6070From: and/or Robin Lemke <jrisjs@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 2:03:40 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Games Addictions Actually, this, too, is a very personal issue. Computer games are incredibly rewarding for many - kids and adults. For some, it's going somewhere alone with a parent. Others, it's stickers. Some, it's tv. Others it's getting to buy something. Robin "I'm singing.... I'm in a store and I'm singing.......... I'm in a store.... and I'm singing..............." From: chris Dunn <christineshello@...>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: Games Addictions Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 11:48 AM I don't agree using computer games as a reward, in the long run it backfires and the child see it as rewarding so when he feels sad he will go to computer games to make them feel better. Doing this you are building up a form of consolation and support for the child through computer games, is like rewarding a child with food, the results are that the child will develop (not always) into an emotional eater, and risk obesity. Again computer games should not be rewarding. From: Amie <amiedawn1@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 12:37:47 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Games Addictions We set up a reward system. Our daughter (6) has to read up to 20 pages in a book, do a math page or do a chore in order to earn 1/2 hour of tv or to earn game time. May try something similar? Also, we found that our daughter did very well with educational games, and up until she was 4 that was all she was allowed to play. She got to have fun and I felt good as she learned something while she was at it! Amie>> My 3 year old has a major addiction to games. Mostly pc games but also ipod, cell phone, etc. First thing when waking up he demands games on the pc. We have had to hide the wii and xbox because it has gotten so bad. He will have a tantrum when I tell him no. I don't know what to do. Do I continue to monitor and limit games or do I allow it because it stimulates him better than anything else? I already have a 15 year old that is a pc addict. I don't want a repeat. Any suggestions are much appreciated.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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