How do you control TV or computer time?

[snowman.022851697]

[quote]owever, I do not allow for the \"sometime more depending if they have finished their work or revision\" as it opens room for kids to take advantage and manipulate. For eg, some kids will finish work quickly (untidy and with mistakes) and the issue of \"why last time can but now cannot\" etc. So if my kids have extra time, they will either read or play with their lego/puzzles/origami etc. [/quote]
Fair point but actually you can check on their work before allowing them to be on the computer. That was what my parents did to me when I was younger

[cnimed]

HappyFaye:

i let them watch TV for an hour and play computer for half an hour per day as discussed and agreed and sometime more depending if they have finished their work or revision. But somehow, they just can't seem to stop by the agreed time and i am always quick in jumping and 'screaming' when the time is up :frustrated:

Just switch it off yourself. If you want to reinforce the point, you can unplug the set as well and just move on to the next activity.. Actions speak louder than words.

Do they get to select their programmes? That may help them decide how to use their tv time for maximum satisfaction.

[HappyFaye]

deminc:

HappyFaye:

i let them watch TV for an hour and play computer for half an hour per day as discussed and agreed and sometime more depending if they have finished their work or revision. But somehow, they just can't seem to stop by the agreed time and i am always quick in jumping and 'screaming' when the time is up :frustrated:

Just switch it off yourself. If you want to reinforce the point, you can unplug the set as well and just move on to the next activity.. Actions speak louder than words.

Do they get to select their programmes? That may help them decide how to use their tv time for maximum satisfaction.

I did switch off but I was hoping they can be more 自动。Yes they decide what they want to watch but they seem to love all kinds of shows.

As for the extra time, it is allowed only when they do a good job in work or revision after my checking.

Things are ok when I am at home but when my in-laws switch on the TV, their eyes can be glued to the TV even though those shows are oldies chinese movies :stupid:

Hmmm, it didn't occur to me that banning TV totally during weekdays is an option. To me, TV is a form of relaxation. When I am tired or stressed, I just sit down and stare at the TV to let my mind relax. But I know total banning is tough because my in-laws love to watch TV.

I am hoping to have an auto-shut down for TV and computer :oops:

[Mamalicious Alicia]

Hi mummies,


I agreed with verykiasu2010 mummy,
you need to pre-negotiate the time slot / amount of time allowed, and stick to it strictly, and that is it

Before any activity, it is good to talk to your child about the rules and safety issues. In this case, they need to stop watching TV after the allowed time. This will ease any troubles later.

If you keep practicing communication to them before any activity, they will learn to abide by the rules. Having said tt, you need to be

1) Firm
2) Stick closely to the rules, especially the safety issue

If they breach any of the rules, they will not be allowed to continue. i.e. playing at the beach---rule/safety issue: no swimming---if they go into the water, stop activity.

For our first son, we did not enforce these rules and it became very hard to implement them later. So with our second child, we train him young and he listens and abide by our rules (although sometimes he wines too).

Good luck. Be firm. if you need more ideas, you can read
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Stop-Your-Child-From-Watching-Too-Much-Television&id=3843965
or

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Your-Child%27s-Computer-Addiction

-I like the 'Buy or download a program that restricts computer use' idea

Mamalicious Alicia

[Mamalicious Alicia]

Hi mummies,


I agreed with verykiasu2010 mummy,
you need to pre-negotiate the time slot / amount of time allowed, and stick to it strictly, and that is it

Before any activity, it is good to talk to your child about the rules and safety issues. In this case, they need to stop watching TV after the allowed time. This will ease any troubles later.

If you keep practicing communication to them before any activity, they will learn to abide by the rules. Having said tt, you need to be

1) Firm
2) Stick closely to the rules, especially the safety issue

If they breach any of the rules, they will not be allowed to continue. i.e. playing at the beach---rule/safety issue: no swimming---if they go into the water, stop activity.

For our first son, we did not enforce these rules and it became very hard to implement them later. So with our second child, we train him young and he listens and abide by our rules (although sometimes he wines too).

Good luck. Be firm. if you need more ideas, you can read
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Stop-Your-Child-From-Watching-Too-Much-Television&id=3843965
or

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Your-Child%27s-Computer-Addiction

-I like the 'Buy or download a program that restricts computer use' idea

Mamalicious Alicia

[Herbie]

TV time is hard to control at home… especially after 7pm… cos the KING will be home to relax after a day of hard work.


For computer time, i am still trying to figure out a way cos my kid has project work but he/she will get distracted and start to go to other website and not doing the real work… this is the biggest headache which i am facing rite now.

My advise for laptop/tv is never have them in the kid’s room cos you will never gradually lose them and they will be in their own world… place the laptop in the living room

[verykiasu2010]

all my PC/lap top at home must login with password to access it


and i change the password regularly…so everytime the kids need access to PC / internet, need me to login for them

placing laptop in common area is best option

[Oppsgal]

Try setting an alarm clock next to the tv or computer, say like half an hour. When goes off, then tell the kid need to off, time is up.

[Herbie]

i think working out a weekly schedule with the child and stick to the schedule will also help to continue tv and computer time…

[cyn-w]

agreed ... a weekly schedule would be good TV time for me is usually family time too .. we'll watch the shows together with my boy


this website, i think, is very useful and quite relevant=) it is recently launched by MDA, working with TOUCH community services! part of a cyber wellness campaign. http://www.cyberwellness.org.sg/Knowledge