Like many other parents, we too are concerned about the fact that at our time kids, in particular boys, seem to find nothing as entertaining as computer games. I remember the good old times when I was a boy and much of my time was occupied by playing outside, creating a board game of my own, reading and exercising. Now all I see boys do most is sitting behind a PC or a console and spending hours and hours killing virtual enemies!
Now, I am not an expert in this field and don't want to claim any theories, however common sense tells me that when a boy of 12-14 finds nothing entertaining but sitting in front of a screen and spending hours with games that involve killing and fighting, this cannot be all healthy and positive.
My own son has a certain screen hours per day. Last week I had to take his laptop and store it because after three ultimatums he still could not keep within the limit of the agreed upon screen hours. I made it clear for him that this was not a punishment. This was simply a way to help him get back to control. So for one week he experienced life without laptop and in fact life without any screen, except for a limited TV time.
I was thinking that he would be totally frustrated during that week, however, to our amazement, he actually appeared to become more lively, happier and more involved with us. After a week he himself agreed that he felt much better during the week when he had no screen time.
Of course the era is the era of technology, computer games are part of this and I am not a horrible dad. So after a week I allowed him to have his laptop back. However we both agreed that his screen time needed a revision. We both agreed that more than limited hours per day, it was important to make sure not every day included games. So we (meaning my son and myself, and of course with the support of my wife) agreed that he would only have limited screen time four days a week, which means for three days of the week he will not have any screen time for games and computing.
We told him that for us, the last week, was like we had our innocent and cheering son back. He has promised us that he will not go back to that game trapped situation.
We will see about that!
Now, I am not an expert in this field and don't want to claim any theories, however common sense tells me that when a boy of 12-14 finds nothing entertaining but sitting in front of a screen and spending hours with games that involve killing and fighting, this cannot be all healthy and positive.
My own son has a certain screen hours per day. Last week I had to take his laptop and store it because after three ultimatums he still could not keep within the limit of the agreed upon screen hours. I made it clear for him that this was not a punishment. This was simply a way to help him get back to control. So for one week he experienced life without laptop and in fact life without any screen, except for a limited TV time.
I was thinking that he would be totally frustrated during that week, however, to our amazement, he actually appeared to become more lively, happier and more involved with us. After a week he himself agreed that he felt much better during the week when he had no screen time.
Of course the era is the era of technology, computer games are part of this and I am not a horrible dad. So after a week I allowed him to have his laptop back. However we both agreed that his screen time needed a revision. We both agreed that more than limited hours per day, it was important to make sure not every day included games. So we (meaning my son and myself, and of course with the support of my wife) agreed that he would only have limited screen time four days a week, which means for three days of the week he will not have any screen time for games and computing.
We told him that for us, the last week, was like we had our innocent and cheering son back. He has promised us that he will not go back to that game trapped situation.
We will see about that!
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