Our kids have to earn their computer time. They get points for doing certain chores (like allowance) and then have the option to use their points for either money to go shopping with or television time or computer time. I know. . .I know. . .we're so mean! ;-)
I guess I am old ball out once again!! As long as my me or my husband isn't on the computer and their school work is done I dont' really care how long they are on it. And like I said Samantha has her own laptop anyway. Same with tv. I don't limit their time to watch. We don't have cable so it is pretty much pbs most of the time but not always. I don't let them watch trash. In my house earning tv or computer time or any type of points system just wouldn't fly.
No, you're not. Lots of moms have said they don't limit time. And the only reason I do is because of the way my boys are.
There is me, hubby and two girls age 4 and 11. But 11 year old has her own. She does use the one in our home office for school work though - things like dictionary.com and any type of research for papers and assignments. She uses her own to make movies and use all the other fancy schmancy programs she has.
Oh, Tiff, if you were not the odd one out at times I would not have anything too raise my eyebrow over. LOL. Just kidding. Actually, Tiffany your influence one me has been nothing but positive. I would explain in more detail but then we would be way off track. lol I limit my kids ONLY because we have one computer and two kids. I don't think it will take their brain away. I don't think you have to feel guilty about the computer babysitting your kid. Just be aware of how they spend time online. Know your kid...that is the most important thing. YOu need to do what is best for your child's personality.
see monkey mama. . .to me. . .you don't sound odd at all. You only have 3 people using one computer. We have 5. . .and the twins are not that far away from enjoying their own little games. . .so that will make 7. And I work from home as a freelance writer. So. . .earning the computer time with allowance points actually solved several issues for us. . .one of which was the division of computer time among several people.
This makes me think.... My mom is buying my boys their own Leapsters for Christmas. Even the baby (20 months). I guess I might have an issue there. Since they can carry it everywhere with them. I'd hate to raise them to be those people I see who can't put their PSP down long enough order their food in a restaurant. I saw this one guy the other day who was with a group of friends. Everyone else was having a blast but he was so engrossed in his game that he didn't order food, participate in conversation, or laugh even once. How is that fun? Off point, sort of. Anyhow, I guess I'll have to set some limits so they don't grow up thinking that is an acceptable way to live.
Now if I had a PSP I would have a hard time putting it down also. lol. Seriously...that is why I don't want one. lol. Amie, I was worried about the Leapster thing also. My dh and I explained to my kids that rules would be set on time limits and all that. Well..it was never needed. They just don't obess over it. YOu may be surprised. I mean when they first get it they may go nuts. Allow them a week to go nuts after that it will wear off like all toys. lol. My 2 year old LOVES her brother's Leapster! It is good your little one will have his own. Again...passing fancy. Besides the batteries run out rather quickly anyway. lol.
Especially if I accidentally leave it on all night, right? No really, you gave some good advice. I guess I'll just let them go wild for a week and see what happens. Then set limits from there if I need to.
none of us have a limit on the computer. I can easily spend a hour or two on it, the same goes for my older two. The computer is a newt hing for DS since he learned how to use the mouse. He spent 30 minutes at one site and another 30 at anther with a break in between. My oldest will spend a hour on it too. Plus I leave it on to hear music since I don't have a radio downstairs. We also play our CDs on it. This computer has been in use alot more since we started homeschooling last November.
I don't limit anything to be honest, so you're not the only oddball. We have no bedtimes, no TV restrictions, no game restrictions, no computer restrictions. Everyone has their own computer with internet access. I've never had a problem.
Well I am glad I am not the odd ball out this time! Ava girl you know I love you!!! I think we have a mutual respect/learn from each other thing going on eh?? Okay after reading further I must say that if I had more kids all fighting for time on the computer then I would certainly see the need to limit each persons time. That makes total sense. Colorado mom first I have to say I love Colorado and we are going there next year on our family vacation!! Woo Hoo I can not wait. Secondly we also don't really have bedtimes. Usually my youngest will go to bed at 9 but sometimes it is 10, if she is cranky is could be 8 and on a weekend it may be 12. Samantha can go to bed when she is tired. It works for us.
Guess I can go ahead and add a real reply. LOL We all share one computer. Usually it's limited by whenever it bugs me that Christian's been on too long. LOL Or, if he's been on for a while anyway and it's "MY" turn. If the little kids are wanting on, I try to make sure they get "about even" time if they want it. I don't really watch a clock or anything on them. Usually they get tired of it before I tell them to get off. DH made a rule for Christian (8) that he can't get on the computer before 4pm. This is because he was waking up in the middle of the night and coming to get on the computer. He thought he was awake, he should stay up. (Even if he'd only been asleep for 3-4 hours. LOL Go to bed at 1am... Hey, getting up at 5am to play on the computer is fun!! And stay there until noon when mom gets up and says, "how long have you been up?") So that's really our only rule right now regarding it. I foresee a time when we'll have to count hours though.
I have a son who would be on the computer 24/7 if given a chance. Also a daughter who would be like that with the TV. Basically, it's a matter of what you consider a problem. If you feel there IS a problem, then you need to get control of it. If there's NOT a problem in your family, then go with the flow!
My 17 yr old is a complete night owl while I am a morning person. Sometimes she is going to bed when I am getting up! But my 10 yr old on the other hand, he has been putting himself to bed at 9:00 for years now. I can't even remember the last time I "made" him go to bed. He was probably 5...he did a stint in Catholic school for K and he needed the rest...he's a non-conformer like him 'ol mom, and back then if he didn't get enough sleep he was nasty to everyone. As far as the computer and stuff, well I tried those security programs you get to filter, but to be honest it filters too much for my taste, even with all the options, so I gave up about 2 years ago. :roll: I was tired of overriding the thing. I use the video games as leverage when I need to, but he will typically take the games away from himself before I do when I tell him they are starting to interfere with life. He just did that tonight in fact. The same goes for the cell phone with my daughter, thats real good leverage.:twisted: Anyway, I think they both have a healthy understanding of the dangers of the internet, the real life consequences for going over minutes on the cell phones, and what kind of TV programs to invest your time into watching.
Jackie.. very well put! I never feel guilty when the tv is on all day long. My little ones will sit and watch it for a while, or play on the floor and look up on occasion, or they will go to their room and when they hear a show come on they want to here they are running to sit down and watch it. My oldest will snag the computer any chance he gets, and could sit here from dawn to well.. I would like to say dusk, but really it's more like dawn a few days away. But he is usually looking something up that fascinates him and once he learns about it he will hunt for games that fit the theme. I see it as no big deal, as long as he stays away from THOSE sites..lol, but for other families this is not appropriate for.
