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He's 7 and he wants his first Gameboy. I want to get it for him but I don't want him to play too much like I see many kids doing. What type of restrictions do you recommend so he doesn't get overhooked on the game playing? For example, I know one parent who only allows her kid to use his Gameboy at home and only during certain days/hours. Do you have any ideas? If you'd let your child play without restrictions, please don't answer. Your opinion doesn't apply here. Thanks.

2006-10-31 08:56:33 · 16 answers · asked by carademenzo 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting Parenting

16 answers

I got my 6 & 3 year old girls hooked on Gameboy (Actually it's Nintendo DS, but I still call it Gameboy). They LOVE the New Super Mario game. The reason I let them play is because I grew up with video games and I'm a firm believer that it improves many brain functions like strategy, hand-eye coordination, patience, persistence, reward, etc...

Now THEY ask to play it EVERY time they come to my house (which is 4 times a week). And I'm in the same boat. I don't want them to get addicted to it. So, I use it as a reward system. If they do their homework, chores and do all that I've asked them to do, they can each play it for :30 minutes on weeknights.

Since I only have them over on alternating weekends, I let them go wild with it on the Saturdays I have them. No playing on Sunday. But, you MUST enforce a rest period every :30-:45 minutes to protect the eyes and force them to get up and about.

If your kid can learn a little discipline, this is a great tool to enrich his/her brain and it's certainly not mindless and passive like TV is. Good luck!

2006-10-31 09:01:12 · answer #1 · answered by jimjones3 4 · 1 0

For what it's worth, I have a nephew, not a son. However, I did buy him a Nintendo DS for his birthday, and worked out with my Sister what his access would be.

Keeping it at home and only allowing it for certain times of day is a good one. He may want to bring it to a friend's house occasionally, as two systems can be linked so two players can play at once. You can decide for yourself if you allow that.

Also, do not let him play it in the dark. The screen does appear clearer, but it kills the eyes.

My sister also put a homework rule into play, where he is not allowed to touch it until his school work is done. He will think this is a drag, as it will keep him away from games longer when he comes home from school. Still, you can craft this into a good habit for him. After a while, he just started doing his homework when he came home.

Finally, for whatever it is worth, the Nintendo DS has dropped quite a bit in price, and is probably a better choice. It plays all of the Gameboy Advance games, and is still in the middle of its development life. In a year or two, there won't be any more new Gameboy games. This has less to do with child care advice, of course, and more to do with being aware of the various game systems.

Good luck!

2006-10-31 09:08:34 · answer #2 · answered by Ciaoenrico 4 · 0 0

I got my son his first gameboy sp when he was 4 and the gamboy DS when he was 6. He is very smart and a very good kid, so ive never had a problem. My rules are homework needs to be done and be responsible for it (getting broken, lost or stolen) And video games will not be a priority, that has to be balanced with reading and playing/physical activity- hes been very good- it all depends on the child

** i like Bill Schwizers answer, he is right **

2006-10-31 09:02:00 · answer #3 · answered by ♥kailababy♥ 3 · 0 0

Whatever you decide, remember that the more of a forbidden fruit you make it, the more he will want to play it, and he will have ample time to do so over friends houses as he gets older...and that may not be a good thing if the friends with the video games he wants to play aren't positive friends for your child to have.

I would honestly wait to limit time until it becomes a problem. If it's not broke, no reason to fix it. If it turns into a problem, I would limit it to car trips, waiting rooms, and just before bedtime. You may find that if you don't limit it right out of the gate, it may not hold his interest for hours on end like you notice with other children. All children are different, after all.

2006-10-31 09:00:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

My mom had a really cool idea when it came to the game systems in our house. Everyone was allowed an hour a day during the week after that it was put up and on the weekend it was her descression, depending on what we were doing. This way we had family time, dinner, and homework done. This way there arent too many rules just one that strictly inforced. And if we did bad in school she would take that time way during the week and on the weekend.

2006-10-31 09:13:06 · answer #5 · answered by bbear20 4 · 0 0

Keep it in your possession and only let him have it after he is done with any homework or chores and when he's had good behavior at home and school. And have a set amount of time, like an hour, that he can play. And lay out the rules beforehand.

2006-10-31 09:00:56 · answer #6 · answered by 飞行高 3 · 1 0

Instead of restrictions, get him only a couple of games at most every couple of months. That way, it'll get old real fast and he'll play sparingly. Otherwise he'll play it all the way through and have nothing new to play for a couple of months.

Be sure to check with his relatives and friends' parents when it gets near Christmas and his birthday and stuff, and let them know about this rule you have. That way he won't get 10 new games in a single day for Christmas!

2006-10-31 09:01:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Only let him play after his homework is done. School should come first. Also don't let him play until dinner is finished. Let him play from lets say 6-8 or something like that. Weekends you can give him some more time. But if he has homework,again that comes first.

2006-10-31 09:01:53 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Brown Eyed Girl ♥ 5 · 0 0

I'm a girl and I had a gameboy, but lost interest in it shortly. I gave a little boy my gameboy and I never see him playing with it. He'll grow out of it. My little sister got a nintendo ds and never touches it even though she wanted it soo bad.

2006-10-31 09:00:06 · answer #9 · answered by fourcheeks4 5 · 1 0

1. All homework done before playing!
2. All chores done " " "
3. Keep passong grades!!!!!!
4. No time missed from school
5. Do good in school

2006-10-31 08:59:03 · answer #10 · answered by purpleone726 3 · 0 0

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