Video Games - Hendersonville,TN

None. There are NO video games in my house. When my kids were little they were allowed to play educational games on the computer, which was not hooked up to the internet. Now that they are teens, they have laptops and will occassionally play a game on line.

Dear T.,
It depends on the age and the content, for sure, but regardless, it's not a "habit" you want to foster.
My son has video games, even guitar hero, which is pretty fun, but he rarely plays them. He's usually too busy doing other things.
Video games as a treat once in a while is fine. However, I know too many kids who will do nothing but sit and play video games if they have their way and it can become an issue.
I personally don't think they should do it every single day, but in moderation, say 30 minutes, tops, should be fine. If you have educational video games, that's different and you can play along too.
My son can take them or leave them so I don't worry about it.
If it's rainy or he has friends over and they want to spend and afternoon playng, I don't mind. He likely won't touch them again for another month if not longer.
Like with everything...keep it in moderation.

Best wishes

I let my boys play within reason, especially if it is a day that we can not get outside. The key to any form of entertainment is moderation. I make it a rule that chores and homework must be done before video games.

My family sounds similar to Shane's. We don't have specific rules about the games.. computer or DS, or Wii. But neither of our kids are "hooked" on them. I often think it is BECAUSE we never made it that big of a deal.. just like it isn't a big deal to have sweets around... If you make it off limits, then it becomes that much more enticing. Most things in moderation is sort of our motto.

Our kids would much rather be outside playing or playing board games or with action figures that have been in the attic for awhile than any electronic stuff. They are almost 9 and almost 12 yrs old. They each have a computer (not hooked to internet) in their room (gifts from extended family). Our daughter likes ISpy games and KidPix.. our son likes Call of Duty for PC, but also Indiana Jones and StarWars Lego games. Mostly, they ignore that they are there. Daughter likes to do Kung Fu and obstacle course games on Wii, and MarioKart with her brother. Oh.. and the yoga, lol. She even asked me for her own yoga mat and she will do the entire workout. But all this only averages out to about an hour a week. Lately, they have both been interested in the free TimezAttack game I recently downloaded (a math learning game) to my online computer. The Wii hasn't been on their entire spring break, by their own decisions... not mine.

If their grades slip, then all electronics are disallowed until appropriate improvements are made. This includes not watching any Netflix that might have arrived-- weekends included.

If you have a child who is an only, I can see how they might be more inclined and seduced into playing stuff all the time. And I have seen that with some of my kids' friends who are onlys (or might as well be due to age big age gaps in their family). But with our two, they would rather play with real live actual interacting people! lol.

If they have been sofa potatoes too long on any given day, I (or my hubby) just says..." after this round/game/show/15 minutes that is going off. Ya'll find something else to do." And they do.. with usually no complaints whatsoever. They happily spent the entire day yesterday with an old He-Man set out of the attic, and then camped out in the back yard last night with NO electronics.

HTH

as far as I am concerned any time is too much. They use it to get out of chores homework and everything else. I have had 3 teenagers in the house and the constant fight over you are playing it to much. Only one was mine If I had known what kind of monster I was creating I would never have allowed them. The other 2 were steps and thought they should control the tv to play video games.

See my answer on the call of duty question someone else just asked for more details...but short and sweet no school nights, after dark on weekends (active during the day!) and until an appropriate time for their age (my daughter is 8pm, teenagers I know are 11-12, tweens 10-11pm).

that's a toughie. my boyfriend spends alot of his freetime playing video games....and i came from a household where my dad didn't care how long i played because he was usually gone (TDYs in the Air Force). I may have played a good amount (3 hours a day), BUT i graduated in 11th grade and always had chores. so, if they have everything else done, why not let them entertain themselves. i think that if they have chores, homework, etc done, then why set a standard "limit"? i'm gonna do the same with my son when he's at an age to be able to play like my dad let me...and...i learned to read at age 4 1/2 from video games. lol.

Depending on the day, weather etc. My son plays 30 min to an hour. Weekends a little more, not all at one time.

My 12 year old son is only allowed to play on weekends/non-school nights. So he can play Friday evening, as much as he wants on Saturday, most of the day Sunday until it gets dark because then it becomes a school night... and he is allowed to play on any days off of school. Fortunately, he is usually so busy with other things on weekends that he doesn't play very much. He mostly just plays when friends are over or sometimes with his dad. We keep the video games out in the living room-- NOT in his room, which I think is so important because otherwise they just play and play and you never see them, and they lose track of time and don't even stop to eat!!

Also, he and my 10 year old daughter have the same time restrictions on their DS games, but I'll let them break the "no school night" rule sometimes for special reasons-- for example, if their dad is working late and they have to come with me to attend a meeting or something I'll let them bring their DS

No more than 3 days a week no more than 1 1/2 hours each time. He has to have done all homework, cleaned his room, and have been well behaved. When I say turn it off, it goes off. Sometimes I even make him go outside for an hour and play before I let him play video games. Hope this helps!

I have a little different take on this. My 2 girls, 11 and 15 self-moderate and I don't worry about their time; it doesn't consume them. My son, 17 will play endlessly if allowed. And, here it is, we allow him to, to some extent.

He is ADD (which translates to hyper-focused when it comes to things he likes) and cannot separate himself on his own. We use parental controls to make sure he's off at 10 at night.

Here's the thing. I talk to him a LOT about his game (World of Warcraft) and have decided there are many positives:
1. Many things he is unable to do in his real life (because of his ADD), he can do here: plan, carry out a logical sequence, have patience for a long term goal, practice difficult tasks, do boring repetitive tasks to achieve a goal, work together with team members, be a team leader, keep track of a myriad of details and execute them effectively, be an expert.
2. He is very social, has great friends (in real life). When I pick him up after school he is surrounded by an eclectic bunch of 5-10 kids (popular and un-) and they give him hugs as he leaves! Friends ask him for advice on personal issues. He goes out with his bunch from time to time.
3. He is going to be a counselor in training this summer (7 weeks!). A real honor and something he is looking forward to, despite the necessary hiatus from WOW.
4. He does not drive around, he's not out at all hours, he doesn't drink or smoke or take drugs, we know where he is.
5. He joins us for meals, DVD movies, outings, etc.
6. He has great, solid self esteem.
7. He does well enough in school.

So...this leads me to conclude that there may not be a pat answer for your kid. It is all about balance, priorities, and what this particular kid needs. And, trust your intuition. Sometimes what the experts say just does not fit your situation. Then you bravely chart your own course.

H.

my kids arnt in to them but i say about an hour a day is normal