Controlling kids TV time?

Question

I have a 13 year old and a 7 year old, who I am convinced are addicted to TV and electronic games. I would like to find out from those with similar problems how they handled it. Is there any equipment that would monitor TV usage by household member and enable usage time? A big problem I have is finding alternaitve activities. How do you respond when they say "Well what do you want me to do instead?"

Answer 1

I could give you the politically correct answer and tell you TV is bad for children etc. When I raised my children I worked and did not forbid them to watch television, to be honest it brought me some quiet time I needed and the children enjoyed themselves. They have grown into responsible adults and they are doing fine.

Answer 2

I have a 15m, 12yr and 13yr and I don't let them watch that much t.v. during the week (this also includes computer & video games). We have direct tv and I have set their viewing hours, channels and what types of things they can watch. So for us during the week m-f there is no tv. In lieu of that we play games or do crafting stuff after homework and chores. On the weekend they have a max of 4hrs of tv. Most of the time they don't get to watch it because we're out doing stuff together. As far as the computer goes we have this thing called cybersitter which monitors all the computer usage and I think it also has a time limit on there. We also have their computer in the common area so we can control how long they're on the computer. The main thing is that we set time limits for them and they know not go past it or deal with the consequences.

Answer 3

We've always had TV sets, but had no TV reception until my son was a sophomore in high school, when I found I really needed high speed internet for my work-at-home job. We discussed TV programming (he'd previously only watched videos....with which I could control the junk content.) When my son said he didn't know when he'd have time to watch television, I knew it was time! He's now 19, goes to college, but here at home he still doesn't have a TV in his room. Think about it. Just get RID of it!!! When we traveled, or he visited friends and family with television, it was a treat to watch.
You really can do this. The electronic games, just lock them up and save them for a reward. I'm not kidding.
My son built a tree house and a climbing wall in his "free" time. Also, baseball team, skiing, and special movie nights...he could have whoever he wanted over, as many as would fit, and I provided soda and munchies. At 19-20, they're still all coming here.
Reward reading. Reward chores done without nagging. If you must have some TV time, let each child pick an hour or so twice a week...they can save it up to see a three hour movie. Offer them a dollar for every hour they give up. It'll hurt at first, but everyone will realize eventually that they don't have time for tv. Go with me on this one!!

Answer 4

My kids arrive home at 4/pm. From then until 9/pm which is bed time for all. There are only 5 hours. During that time they must do homework, get clothes ready for school the next day, set table, eat dinner, wash and put away all dishes. Walk the dogs, Shower and do any chores not done that morning like vacuuming, putting away laundry.Practice their instruments. It leaves very little time afterward. I got them a weight lifting set. They lift weights, listen to music, talk on the phone, surf the internet ,read, and play games during their down time.
One of them works part-time during the week so he has even less time. During Football Season, and Baseball Season we have to work practices and games into it so we adjust the bed schedule accordingly which runs us about an hour later.
On the weekends they have other chores which must be accomplished in the mornings. Then they are free to do what they want. Go to the skating rink, movies, hang out with friends, invite friends over or play sports with them.
They all began playing music in the 4th grade with recorders and then moved on to assorted other instruments and marching. If your kids are interested in this it is a great activity. For the 7 year old however, there are things like t-ball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football. Check with your local recreation dept. to see what is available. As long as they are getting good grades in school you don't have to worry too much.
You can also offer to go for a walk with them.

One side, note. Although we have a 62" t.v. we do NOT subscribe to Cable or Satellite. Whatever we catch by the Antenna is what we view which is usually just the news. We purchase or rent movies to view on weekends. It is a really hard thing to do but we unsubscribed last year and it was the best thing we ever did.

Answer 5

What do you need equipment for? Just go in and turn the tv off. If they want to put up a fight, then they should start to lose privledges.

They will come up with something else to do if they are truly that bored. They may scoff at your suggestions, but if they are truly that bored and realise there is nothing better to do, they will do it.
*read a book
*do a puzzle
*play a game
*go outside to play and get exercise (shoot hoops, kick the soccer ball around, bikeriding, sliding or skating [if it's cold where you live])
*is there a Boys and Girls Club near you, or recreation centre near you?
*let them have friends over
*let them pick a new hobby; cooking, scrapbooking, knitting maybe?

Answer 6

Video games are only played on weekend in my home and even then they must have their rooms clean, chores done and have eaten and gotten dressed. They must take a 2 hour break from 11am till 1pm and then they can play again but up until dinner and then it's done for the day. Saturday and Sunday. that's it. Afterschool is for homework and outside play. If outside is not an option, then read a book, draw a picture or whatever. If any of my sons say "I'm bored, I have nothing to do" I get them started on a chore, and insist they do it or they loose gaming priviledges that weekend. They KNOW better than to tell me they have nothing to do, especially when I've got such a full plate of chores and work.

Answer 7

YOU have to make time to find things for them to do. What is the weather like where you live? Can they play outside? Try going to the library and buying your 12 year old some books, or get out a deck of cards and teach them how to play (insert game of your choice), The 7 year old will be even easier to entertain, coloring books, markers, paints, Your local Wal Mart will have tons of education games for them, and therein lies another answer, compromise, buy them EDUCATIONAL video games to play, You can come up with lots of ideas on your own just by evaluating their personal intrest, maybe a pet. anything Use YOUR imagination, if you want them to use theirs.

Answer 8

play cards or board games together, puzzles, riddles, joke books, paint, draw, act out a play or scene from tv, go outside and exersize, get indoor physical activites like punching bags, or dress up if they are girls, very low poundage dumb bells for the 13 yr old maybe? Lots of different stuff.

as for getting them away from the in the frist place? parental controls, take the controlers for video games away, take away all games, take away all power cordes, or tell them no. If they disobey then take away other things as punishment and keep taking away tv time and video game time tll they dotn get to play all week or month.

Answer 9

i had that problem too. there is a such tv control and vidieo game control were it limits the amount of thime they use/watch it. u can agust the time. the game/tv will turn off once there time is up. if they turn it back on they will have to fill in the password which only u should know. hope this helps.

Answer 10

In today's world, you should be glad a 13 year old is watching TV, cause most people in that age group are out drinking or having sex....so that's a blessing. It's normal for a 7 year-old to be constantly at electronics, wait til he/she is 11. *wink*