Video games: What is your system for how much time dc get to play?

[Sue G in PA]

We just got a GameCube from my SIL. I swore I'd never get a video game system for the dc but I couldn't pass up a freebie! So, now I'm trying to decide how to allot time and how much time each day for the dc to play. Obviousy, nobody plays until after ALL schoolwork is done. We just started using the Handipoints website and the dc LOVE it so I'm thinking about using the points to reward video game time. Any other ideas or suggestions? Also, about how much time do you give your dc? I'm thinking about 1/2 hr. day. Too much? TIA

[Mx5]

Our kids get 1.5 hours / day in 30 minute segments and must rotate turns. They use cheap Dollar Store digital timers to keep track of time. Naturally, no turns until they are done with school work and chores. I do have 5 kids, and 4 of them like to "game". Since I have several systems, there is usually no bickering.

We love the Wii. I love to watch the kids boxing each other, bowling, playing baseball, etc. They work up a sweat and laugh so hard. It really is a family system.

They play more in the winter. In the summer they are outside a lot more (we live in MN) and we have an Intex pool for lots of hours of splashing fun.

[JudoMom]

Our boys get 30 minutes on Saturday and 30 on Sunday. They have to have the playroom and the bedrooms clean before they can play. We don't have time during the week, and 1 of my boys especially leans toward the obsession side when it comes to video games. Knowing he can't play until the weekend helps him to focus on more important things during the week.

[KH_]

We don't have a game system, just a PC that they have some games on (and can play some online games). My dc are 8 and 6 and have a 30 minute time limit per day (excluding Sundays, just because we try to spend the day as a family). We also use a token based economy, so they also must have credits they can spend to play. My ds can be a little obsessive about his gaming, so that's one reason for the time limit. (And all schoolwork and piano practice must be completed before computer time.)

[Mx5]

Our kids get 1.5 hours / day in 30 minute segments and must rotate turns. They use cheap Dollar Store digital timers to keep track of time. Naturally, no turns until they are done with school work and chores. I do have 5 kids, and 4 of them like to "game". Since I have several systems, there is usually no bickering.

We love the Wii. I love to watch the kids boxing each other, bowling, playing baseball, etc. They work up a sweat and laugh so hard. It really is a family system.

They play more in the winter. In the summer they are outside a lot more (we live in MN) and we have an Intex pool for lots of hours of splashing fun.

My 17yo realized that his time gaming was interfering with his social life. He does have a part time job and a full course load at home. He came to this realization when he voluntarily, on his own accord, quit gaming for 2 weeks. He felt better, had more time to run with friends, and overall saw that gaming was a thing to be done in moderation. This lesson was better than all the lecturing and control efforts I've put forth.

[Michelle in GA]

We have a Wii, and they do not exceed an hour a day.

[Adrianne]

Right now they both get 30 minutes a day total of "TV time" 7 days a week. This includes all electronic media, including TV, video games, computer etc.

There time is taken together so at the end of the day, they had 60 minutes total (two boys times 30 mins each). No TV time until school work and chores are done, and everything is straightened up.

Right now we are having attitude adjustment problems so TV time is the first to go. My dh says " television is a priviledge, not a right" (he-he. Sounds like his dad).

On sick days, they may have TV but no video games. And on days off they may get a little more tv time.

We are contemplating however, only allowing video games on the weekends as we are having attitude problems that I think are linked to an obsession with the video games.

Adrianne

[j.griff]

We don't limit our kids game time. We are open to using everything as a learning tool, even things that others claim have no educational value.

[freethinkermom]

Wii and an xbox 360 for set top consoles, each family member has their own Nintendo DS handheld and we have two PSPs that get shared. We have no restrictions except that school work must be done and parents get the big tv (where the consoles are) in the evening. Both boys play some pc games too.

Technological literacy is necessary today, and will be even more so when our kids are grown. To me restricting video game time is similar to how people used to think reading time should be restricted.

When they have friends over that have time restrictions those kids are always the ones that go nuts and obsess and only want to play video games when they are here, but their friends that are not restricted are always the ones that are happy to do other stuff too.

At least with my boys, I think since they know they can play whenever they want, it becomes less important and frees them to persue other interests.

[Peek a Boo]

i don't limit total time, just how they get the privilege :-)

1. excellent attitude.
2. schoolwork done.
3. helpful attitude.
4. chores done.
5. excellent attitude.
6. rooms clean.
7. excellent attitude.

and if they DON't get off the game NICELY when/if I request it, they lose the privilege for a week.
i haven't had to ground them from the gamecube too much. We also use the timers to take turns.
I think 1/2 hour a day at first won't be enough --if you can arrange a gamecube marathon to help them get it ingrained, that will help. Set up a simple timed schedule, complete w/ outdoor break and snacks. There's a bit of a learning curve --once they get past that it will be easier to limit it to 30 minute chunks.

enjoy!

[GothicGyrl]

Like j.griff, I refuse to limit play time. The only hard and fast rule I have is that all work--school and chores, are to be done before play time.

Otherwise, I do not require permission to get on the pc, permission to play the video games or watch tv. They are free to do as they please with their own play time.

And just as I suspected, this works. They are very good at limiting themselves, very good at making their own decisions, do not live on the game systems or computers (unlike their mother) and there are never any fights.

Everything in my house has some type of educational value. I refuse to see it any other way.

[orangeblossom]

one hour a day to use however they wish. Their options are the internet, XBox, Wii, a DS and even an OLD Nintendo system (which they do play periodically).

We also have a student store (points accumulated based on school work completed and correct) where they can purchase extra time every two weeks and we take away "screen time" as a punishment.

Right now the kids have both been off screen time for 3 days due to punishments...dd gets it back tomorrow and ds gets it back the day after (provided they behave).

[mysticamethyst]

I am so the odd one here. My kids do not get a limit on their game system time. We actually even have them all, well not the ps3 or xbox360. The each have their own tv in their room with their own computer as well. Now, with all that being said, they hardly play on their games anymore, the novelty wore off long ago. On their tv's they are almost always watching one of the many differnt Discovery Channels. Because they each have their own computer(always a handme down from dad) they can play many multiplayer games with each other; as well as homework assignments. I honestly rarely see them play the actual video games, we have them all because the were gifts or they saved their monies to buy it; as well as all the games that go with it. I get them one game for birthdays and one for Christmas that is it. I am strict with the games they are allowed. There are only 3 cartoons my kids like to watch, agian I am very strict with what they are allowed to watch. They know that if they break rules or have bad attitudes they lose ALL electronics for a minium of a week. Plus, they also know nothing is allowed to be used until chores and all school work is done. They all but one love to read and will spend hours doing so. What they don't like doing is playing outside, but then nor do I. I cannot stand being outside, unless the weather is almost perfect. We do go for walks daily, swim in the summers, and roller skate on Sundays. They by no means spend 8 hours a day in front of a game more like 2 total and tv is a bit as well but mostly educational. This got way longer than expected but felt like I should explain otherwise I will like a horrible parent.

[TCoppock]

My son plays mainly on the weekend. If I notice during the weekend he is spending his whole day playing video games I will have him get off and go outside or read a book. I'm not super strict about time but do not want to see him fixated on video games. He actually prefers reading so I stock up on new library books and rarely have problems with video games.

[lynn]

My oldest is very responsible about completing his work and getting his chores done and does get off his PSP when asked and just doesn't abuse his time and his attitude stays good.

My middle child would forget the time and be up until midnight if we didn't set limits for him. He gets his work complete and on occasion has to be reminded to do chores.

My 8 year old puts off schoolwork, chores and gets a nasty attitude when on his to long so he can only have his for 30min at a time on weekends and has to earn this with reading and playing outside and doing an extra chore if he didn't do his own with a good attitude and timely. We are working on this.

This being said it is a privlege and one that will be lost for a day or so for back talk, attitude etc.

[Patty Joanna]

Hi, Sue. We have a 360 and a DS (for those nights on long road trips when Dad will *never* stop driving). With a couple of exceptions, these are the rules: One hour of games on Wednesday, if piano practices were all completed (basically, earns 10 minutes per practice day) and one hour for being our kid on Sundays. He generally chooses the 360. By the way, this is "glowing screen time"--he can be on computer for fun, whatever, but it all counts as "glowing screen time".

The exceptions:
1. On a long driving trip, after dark, he can watch the DVD or play the DS...because I'm not kidding about Daddy doesn't stop.
2. Family movie time or checking emails or doing school work on computer doesn't count against that time.

Truth be told, I am very abivalent about whether this was a good idea at all, but it is what we have done, and so be it. I am pretty sure that there is something very compelling about games for my son, and I'm not sure that I like it. But perhaps we will benefit by learning to master obsession early on.

And by the way, he lost all games for 4 weeks a couple of times for bad attitudes about school. He is on the verge of doing so again.

Urgh.


The exceptions are these:

[Dot]

However, my son, 13, has never been into video games. He's got a Nintendo DS, but only 3 games for it. We've never restricted TV either, but he only watches about 2 hours a week. I think the incessant "need" that some kids have comes from setting so many limits, but I understand some kids need those limits. I count myself as lucky, since we've saved so much money not buying the games.

[mcconnellboys]

They don't own any gaming systems and I don't let them play online very often. They go to a local gaming place to play with their Dad, too often in my opinion, LOL, but it's not weekly.... They play at the houses of their friends.... What can I do? refuse to allow them to ever visit anywhere?

Regena

[Stacy in NJ]

of total screen time daily, this includes: Wii, PS2, TV and computer games. They're only allowed screen time after school time and chores are completed.

[Pretty in Pink]

we have a playstation 3, a gamecube, oldest ds has a nintendo DS (handheld), and middle ds has a leapster (handheld). the boys are not allowed to play the regular systems on weekdays at all, unless dad asks them to stay up a little late and play a game w/ him. he does that about once a week.

they are allowed to use their handhelds from 8 - 9 p.m. when they are in their beds with just the reading lamp on, IF they finished their lessons and chores that day with no problems.

we are pretty relaxed on the weekends and let them play off and on, i'd say they play 1-2 hours on saturday.

[Rich with Kids]

My system really bit me in the fanny. The deal was they could play when it rains. Well...it's been raining for 5 or six days off and on. I let them play for about an hour then I move them on to something else. My thing is if they've finished their schoolwork, and the house is clean, they can play if it's raining. We have P.E. everyday, so I know they're getting some exercise.

[Ferdie]

Weekends only unless I give them weekday time for a special circumstance.

[Laura R (FL)]

We have a Wii and there is no limit on play time. Like others, everything must be done (school and chores) and they ask before they play. Well, my youngest does. My almost 14yo dd seems to have graduated into the adult world already, LOL! :001_rolleyes: Maybe it's a girl thing, but I don't have a problem with them spending excessive time on the Wii. They just got Guitar Hero last week and they are loving it, but after 30-45 minutes, they're done. Now the Internet is a different story....:D

[Laura Corin]

My boys get an hour each day at the weekend. They have Gameboys at present and are about to receive Nintendo DS (Shhh!).

During the summer break they get extra screen time: an hour a day.

Laura

[Tracey in TX]

DH loves technology, so we have way too much electronics stuff:

PS3
Wii
Game Cube

PSP
DS Lite (each child has own)
GBA

I don't monitor time b/c it's used in bursts. If it's too icky (hot/cold/rainy) to be outside, they play. Otherwise I lose interest in the sounds after about 30 minutes so they get booted of the system. Unless DH is playing--then it could be hours of boy play together.

[Kelli in TN]

Wii, and it varies from day to day.

The important thing is that they NEVER, EVER got on there without permission.

I dole out Wii time based on how the day has gone, how much they have been outside, how much more there is to do in the day.

One day I had a lot of chores that needed doing so we did 30 minute rotations. One kid got 30 minutes of comuter time, one kid got 30 minutes of Wii and one kid got 30 minutes of chores. I set a timer and after the 30 minutes the kids switched. We did 3-4 rotations of this. They LOVED it. I will do that again sometime.

[Tracey in TX]

Wii, and it varies from day to day.

The important thing is that they NEVER, EVER got on there without permission.

I dole out Wii time based on how the day has gone, how much they have been outside, how much more there is to do in the day.

One day I had a lot of chores that needed doing so we did 30 minute rotations. One kid got 30 minutes of comuter time, one kid got 30 minutes of Wii and one kid got 30 minutes of chores. I set a timer and after the 30 minutes the kids switched. We did 3-4 rotations of this. They LOVED it. I will do that again sometime.
Brilliant! Tried to rep you, but they said I need to spread the love:)

[runningirl71]

I'm always interested in seeing what others are doing with their kids in regards to electronic games. And, from what I've read, it seems like we're all different. I'm a little surprised to see so much liberty in this area considering this is TWTM forum and TWTM does talk about limiting tv and computer time, if I remember correctly.

To answer Sue's original question, I really think it is going to have to depend on the child and what you are comfortable with. I like Kelli's idea of doing a rotation of chores/gaming. That sounds like a great idea. I've had problems in the past deciding how much time to give and what isn't "too" much. I give out 2 hours a week and the kids can decide how and when they are going to use it. If it is during the week, it can only be used at free time, after all work is done. If for some reason they dilly dally and have "homework" no game time.

I DO have one that will obsess over game time and I just haven't felt like I could give him unlimited time. I agree in theory that if you don't limit time, it doesn't become a big deal, but I have tried this over summer breaks before and my son would get on for hours at a time, and to be honest, it really doesn't seem healthy to me. I have a friend who doesn't put a limit on game time (she has a 15 y/o boy) and she told me the other day that he has been inside for 3 days on the computer. Doesn't want to be with friends, doesn't want to do anything but play his games. I KNOW this is an extreme case, but when do you draw the line? You gotta know your kid's personality and take that into consideration. I set rules in other areas of my kid's lives (what kind of clothes they can wear, bedtime, etc) why wouldn't I set rules for game time?

I am in no way saying that those who don't set a limit on game time don't have rules, not saying that at all. It sounds like most of you would take away gaming if you felt it was being abused. I'm just saying I know kids who have been given unlimited time and they have become obsessed/addicted to playing. The neighbors across the street don't have the rules my kids do and alls they talk about is gaming. I really think it is more personality than whether someone gets limited/unlimited time if they obsess about it. That's why parents need to parent! :)

I hope you find out what works for your family!

[Dayle in Guatemala]

We have a GameCube, a DS, and a Sega Genesis and they are only allowed to play on the weekends if their attitudes, chores, and school work has been good all week.

[Jen3boys]

I don't have anything against game systems in general, I just don't want them in our house! We've had enough problems with my older two watching too much tv when we had cable. I've noticed the past few years that the less tv they watch, the less they want to watch. I don't mind if they play appropriate games when we're visiting someone. We seem to get enough activity w/the computers without problems.

[RoughCollie]

Our kids have a 2-hour daily limit, Saturdays and Sundays only. They aren't allowed to have screen time during the school week. I haven't decided what to do about summer.

[kpupg]

using the points to reward video game time. Any other ideas or suggestions? Also, about how much time do you give your dc? I'm thinking about 1/2 hr. day. Too much? TIA

We use it as a reward also. All school work, chores, and other obligations must be met before anyone is allowed to sit down to video games. It is the reward that produces results when other rewards fail :001_rolleyes:

When the kids were younger, 30 min a day was the max. Now they are older and play some online games (to me, computer and video games are interchangeable) which are more involved, so they can have up to 1 hour per day. Often our two will play simultaneously in the same online game, which is pretty fun.

Karen

[Faith]

We have a PS2 and Gamecube. My teens are allowed 1 1/2 hours a day on it. More on weekends.

[Joanne]

We haven't had a time limit applied in years. When we did, my kids were much younger and I used a voucher system for TV and computer.

Now, we have general rules:

1) All chores and schoolwork must be complete and with an acceptable attitude.

2) You may not choose tv or computer if there is someone wanting to play outside (a neighborhood kid).

3) Getting off/shutting it down upon parental request, without issue, is mandatory. Failure = loss of screen privilege.

4) If your playing or viewing is deemed to contribute to attitude, issues, edginess (I've observed a certain kind that develops from too much screen), screen privileges will be severely restricted by a parentally determined amount of time.

5) I do not allow group computer play (one kid playing, a group watching). During social events (sleep overs, daycare clients present, "play dates") screen entertainment is discouraged unless the weather is bad or Mom says "ok". I'd rather they play "for real".

My kids go in cycles. They've gone weeks without much interest at all, but a new game or renewed interest (let's say Runescape has an update) will create a temporary hyperfocus. During those times, the rules above still apply but they play more. It smooths out rather quickly.

If I had a child prone to screen addiction (I've had some in my daycare and observed some in friends), I'd have strict time limits.

[Tap, tap, tap]

We don't limit play time. The kids have a Wii and a Gamecube. They also both have DSs. They pretty much monitor it themselves. We have a general rule of an hour a day...but no one really enforces it. It it more of a guideline for the kids. I do walk by on occasion and ask how long they have played. Just a heads-up kinda question more than anything.


When they first get a new game I let them have a few hours a day with it and then the newness wears off and they are back to normal.


The kids don't play everyday anymore, and there are some weeks that they don't play at all. Were a busy family and that may help to keep them focused on a more active life that zoning in front of the TV.

I should also add that if it became a problem I would have no qualms limiting it more firmly, but so far they monitor themselves well.

[Eliana]

Although we do not have video games in our home, philosophically I am with Jenn and the others who don't have a real system... partly because I am lazy! Monitoring who was on what for how long would drive me up the wall!

...but, more seriously, I believe that it something needs to be artificially limited like that, then it doesn't belong in our home. Dh and I need to feel that each thing available to the kids, or that they are doing regularly is intrinsically valuable. There are many things which don't make in into our house b/c of this.

There are some things which are in our house, but not generally available - the computer and the DVDs we occasionally watch on it are the two which come immediately to mind.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer on this; I think it comes down to which approach best matches a family's overall style...

[Kristine out of lurking]

I'm finding this thread very helpful. My 9yods does obsess over PS2. A year ago, I decided he could play at 4:00. He took this to be gospel and e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y. at 4:00, he thinks it's time to play. Otoh, my 13yodd can play whenever she wants, which is maybe 2-3 times a month.

I do wonder what would happen if he were given unlimited time. Would the novelty wear off? I don't know if I can stand to find out... He's usually allowed 45-60 mins. a day, and if he goes over, he turns into a monster. I know it's just sensory overload.

I'm trying to figure out how to work summer. I want to tie in outside time, screen time, and reading time. But I want to plan it carefully; he's usually a pretty laid back kid, but he takes some of this scheduling SO seriously.

It's interesting the huge differences in time, from just short periods on weekends to unlimited time. I just wish I knew what the best answer is for MY house, lol.

[TraciWA]

Ours get time on Saturdays, after chores are done. Our problem seems to be getting the three of them to "share". "Mom, I just want to play by my self" :glare:

[Part-Time Homeschooler]

My dc are only allowed to play with their Nintendo DS on the weekends (Friday after school, Sat & Sun) for 20-30 minutes per day, sometimes a little longer if they haven't watched any TV that day. The game is put away out of their reach the other days of the week.

[Lynn in WI]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Gamecube! (We just got ours last fall--nice to know there are newer newbies out there than us!)

30 minutes/day after school is done.

I do like the idea of linking it to chores and attitude and may switch things up a bit now that our school year is winding down.

If you need ideas for Gamecube games our favorites are Zelda: Ocarina of Time; any Mario Kart Racing or Mario Party; Need for Speed and my oldest son loves the Madden Football games.

Fun, fun, fun! (Can you tell it was a LONG winter here?)