My son spends too much time playing with his ps4 and I am afraid that it will affect his studies and health. What should I do?
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Child too much playing
- Thread starter Stella Martin
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Taking it away completely may do more harm than help; you should establish a clear set of rules on videogame usage; I.E. no more than an hour on weekdays, no more than two hours on weekend days. No gaming before chores are done, etc.
Trying to find an outdoor activity he enjoys may also help, maybe a team sport (football, baseball, soccer) or an individual sport (tennis, running, track, etc).
It´s about finding balance, I love videogames and due to rules set by my folks growing up I was never too much in-front of a screen.
And by the way, if I did not comply with the "videogame usage rules" of my home or if I failed on any of my grades I did got my gaming console taken away until I improved or got better.
What I´m trying to say is: don´t take the games away right away, talk to your son and establish the rules, take the games away if rules are broken.
Trying to find an outdoor activity he enjoys may also help, maybe a team sport (football, baseball, soccer) or an individual sport (tennis, running, track, etc).
It´s about finding balance, I love videogames and due to rules set by my folks growing up I was never too much in-front of a screen.
And by the way, if I did not comply with the "videogame usage rules" of my home or if I failed on any of my grades I did got my gaming console taken away until I improved or got better.
What I´m trying to say is: don´t take the games away right away, talk to your son and establish the rules, take the games away if rules are broken.
I hate to state the obvious but if you feel your child is spending too much time playing on the PS4, then set limits on his usage or take it away outright. I'm a big fan of setting limits, i.e., telling your child he or she needs to accomplish certain goals before having some time with x,y or z.
Act like a parent and fix the problem? The solution should be obvious.
Set rules and limits. When they break the rules, let them feel the consequences. "no whining" should be part of the rules. They learn fast IF you keep your word (both ways).
Give normal sanctions: no "6 months without youtube"-stuff so that they learn you never break your word.
My 6yr old never whines when I say it's time to turn off the TV, cause she knows whining will only make it worse.
And whatever you do; always keep calm even when they are going berserk. Calm = control. Control = power. (even if you are going mental on the inside, never show)
And if it's on an iPad: iOS12 brings easy parental controls with screen time. max 1 hr on youtube a day and the iPad will block the app. Cool stuff.
Screen time should be a reward for proper positive behavior. Get an A on a test? Get an hour of screen time. Clean your room and do all your chores during the week? Get an hour of screen time.
My suggestion you have fix the time for playing games not everytime like 2 hours its good for playing games.
Indeed, I am having a hard time seeing how this could be something one would ask the interwebz about.