How do you control TV or computer time?
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My DS is also ‘addicted’ to games but I stress to him that he has to complete his work before he can play. So far, he has been quite co-operative.
Only thing is when he is done with his work, he will fight with the sister to let him play immediately.
So, now we are following a fix schedule to work out with the 2 elder ones and discipline them. -
i think the word ‘control’ doesn’t sound good… we help the kid to plan their time… teach time good time management…
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Best way is to not let them get into the habit in the first place. My kids are all under 6. We control TV and computer time by not getting them into the habit of watching TV or playing computers.
When DS1 was about 2, I did get into the habit of letting him watch TV so that I could get things done around the house. But I realised later it was bad, because he would keep asking to watch. So I decided to nip it in the bud and entertain him in other ways. Now he doesn’t ask to watch TV at all. DS2 will ask to watch Thomas or Bob the Builder once in awhile, but I just have to tell him that it’s not showing and he accepts it.
Having said that, they are all still young and relatively easy to control. I suppose it gets harder as they get older. -
HappyFaye:
[/quote]actually, there is a way for the auto shut down.deminc:
[quote=\"HappyFaye\"]
I am hoping to have an auto-shut down for TV and computer :oops:
For computer, get a Parental Control Software or get the Kaspersky Anti Virus software which has parental control built in. This application allows you to specify when the computer should be turned on or the duration that the computer should be turned on. Once the time is up, the child no longer has access to the computer unless the password is given.
As for TV, I would suggests getting a carpenter to build a little box around the power point where your TV is connected to. Get a lock to lock up the box. Put a timer and program the timer to turn and off at specific times of the day. When the timer is off, electricity to the TV is cut off. -
actually if you’re using windows vista or windows 7 there’s built-in parental controls provided your son/daughter’s account is standard (not admin). it should be in the control panel, and you can specify the time when your child is allowed on the computer. when the time limit is approaching there will be a small popup to tell the child that he/she is approaching the time limit set by the parents. there is no task in the task manager so the child cannot get around by using the task manager. however you can edit the bios time and I believe there’s another bug in vista which has something to do with logging off and leaving it logged off throughout the limit. I found those out myself and of course I won’t share how I do it (not that I like to keep it secret) although there’s a lot of info on Google
EDIT: maybe not parental "control". Parental control suggests that the child is an "animal" that needs to be "controlled". I dont like the way most people refer it to as parental "control". It makes us sound inferior. maybe "time management software" will be more appropriate. -
insider:
Child control - sob sob... This is so true...snowman.697:
EDIT: maybe not parental \"control\". Parental control suggests that the child is an \"animal\" that needs to be \"controlled\". I dont like the way most people refer it to as parental \"control\". It makes us sound inferior. maybe \"time management software\" will be more appropriate.
hahaha...snowman...I like this!
Emmm...maybe more cases of 'child control' than 'parental control'...kids control their parents as if those parents were like animals...
Thank cimman & snowman for your advice. Will definitely try out when my kids get out of hand again. Right now they are very tied up with school activities and hardly have time to play computer... Which is a good news to me
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Is there any guide lines, what’s the normal hours spend on tv/computer f/ kids?
My son is 6 yrs old. He seldom watch tv coz his scheduled quite pack already. He’s more into playing the legos. So if I let him watch TV, he’ll be very happy n clap his hands. Hehehe -
MummyThreeStreams:
I have the same experience. DD is 2 and am stay home mum.Best way is to not let them get into the habit in the first place. My kids are all under 6. We control TV and computer time by not getting them into the habit of watching TV or playing computers.
When DS1 was about 2, I did get into the habit of letting him watch TV so that I could get things done around the house. But I realised later it was bad, because he would keep asking to watch. So I decided to nip it in the bud and entertain him in other ways. Now he doesn't ask to watch TV at all. DS2 will ask to watch Thomas or Bob the Builder once in awhile, but I just have to tell him that it's not showing and he accepts it.
Having said that, they are all still young and relatively easy to control. I suppose it gets harder as they get older.
i sometimes still have to rely quite heavily on TV / DVD to babysit while I run other errands.... personally think it is ok since I let them watch shows which I handpick and know has educational value instead of cartoons....what are everyone's views and own experience on letting them watch educational programmes? -
Haffilicious:
Haffilicious, just to share, when my DS was 1yo, I also had to rely on TV quite a bit. I was working part-time then and by the time I fetched him back fr CC it would alrdy be 4pm. Once reach home had to do all the chores and cooking, so he would watch TV for about an hr plus non-stop. He watched baby einstein and leapfrog VCDs. But once I became SAHM few mths before he turned 3, I decided to put a stop to this reliance on TV as I noticed DS started squinting his eyes very often. So I did a timetable for him, with no TV included inside. The stuff we would do can be anything from educational games, flash cards, worksheet games, tracing ... to taking a walk outside picking up leaves (his fav activity), bringing him for swim, playgrd etc. Everyday I would follow this timetable and of cos there are times I can't follow 100% but its ok, I just put a note what we did still. Everyday is very packed with activities, leaving me with no free time (the sad part, but very satisfying), except when he naps for 2-3hrs. Rarely he will ask for TV shows, but its only 1 show if necessary and I always make him promise it will only be 1 show, nothing more. After that it's back to timetable routine. He is so far very cooperative and doesnt complain. I guess its easier to start any changes when kid is young, cos u will see less resistance, and adaption period is also faster.
I have the same experience. DD is 2 and am stay home mum.MummyThreeStreams:
Best way is to not let them get into the habit in the first place. My kids are all under 6. We control TV and computer time by not getting them into the habit of watching TV or playing computers.
When DS1 was about 2, I did get into the habit of letting him watch TV so that I could get things done around the house. But I realised later it was bad, because he would keep asking to watch. So I decided to nip it in the bud and entertain him in other ways. Now he doesn't ask to watch TV at all. DS2 will ask to watch Thomas or Bob the Builder once in awhile, but I just have to tell him that it's not showing and he accepts it.
Having said that, they are all still young and relatively easy to control. I suppose it gets harder as they get older.
i sometimes still have to rely quite heavily on TV / DVD to babysit while I run other errands.... personally think it is ok since I let them watch shows which I handpick and know has educational value instead of cartoons....what are everyone's views and own experience on letting them watch educational programmes?
The shows I let him watch are always VCDs which I feel are educational (but only if necessary)
-Leapfrog (teaches reading/math) highly recommended, as he learned all his letter sounds mainly from here!
-Mickey mouse (math)
-Super Why (reading)
-Sid the Science Kid (science)
-Bubble Guppy (general knowlege)
-Diego (animal knowledge) -
Ah… Another great topic of discussion…
When I am around, things move better… Cos I make deals aout watching TV in advance. I find that telling the kids what is going to happen, or at least what the plans are… Then give them choices to make, and then cut a deal that is amicable and fair works.
Of course, since mummy and particularly my SIL kids are uncontrolled, there are two sets of rules in the house since the kids are all together. The other side prevails in my absence as they create havoc for the caregivers, and are allowed to create havoc since young. There goes the discipline, out the window.
During these testing times, if I am around, I take a slightly different approach… I think of group games and discussions, away from the TV. Even a short walk downstairs is good. It is very precious time with Daddy so they get to talk to me and me alone.
This is not the ideal, but it is for now the best way I can think of…
I wonder if anyone faces a similar situation and has another mechanism…
Cheers!
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