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I feel like a parenting failure
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I am a Mom of 3 boys (now 22, 18, 13) from what I am seeing in your responses to everyone's advice is that you allow this kid to run your life because it is just too hard for you to draw the hard line and stick to it... You said the only thing he likes to do is watch tv and play with is friends... if he is not listening then you take away the tv and his friends until such time he can do as he is told. He is 9 years old, you are the parent. Parenting is hard, having to draw the line in the sand is exhausting but at the age of 9 he is running your household and will only get worse as he gets older because he knows that he can do what he wants because you are at your wits end. I would remove all the tvs in the house, put the one tv in your room so you and your husband can watch tv and your daughter can have TV time as well. I would lock up all the remotes and electronics every single night and also put a passcode that only you or your husband know to even get into the devices... Most of all he should be grounded until such time the trust was earned back. And before anyone jumps all over me about how cruel that is, again we have raised 3 boys, who knew from a young age that when we said something we meant it. Not listening to us was being disrespectful and would did not tolerated disrespect. The hardest thing as a parent is following through with what you have said. You are not a failure, parenting is not easy, they don't come with a handbook and you only learn by making mistakes along the way. STOP letting this 9 year old child run your household. His lack of respect for you is concerning... are your children responsible for chores daily? Do they have any responsibility to the house and the family? Another poster stated children need discipline and structure and that is soo true. They need to learn the value and responsibility of being part of a family if they are going to be functioning adults in society. If they can work a remote/tablet they are more than capable of loading/unloading the dish washer, bring the garbage to the curb, putting their laundry away, vacuuming the living room etc. Our boys have had age related chores since they were young, responsible for doing their own laundry at 10 (because ya know, they are boys and well I wasn't washing crunchy clothes)
Again I am not trying to sound like super Mom here, I am just talking out of experience, you sound exhausted and have already thrown in the towel (being said strictly from reading your responses to others advice) it will get a whole lot worse if you can't nip this in the bud now. Also there is no shame in going to therapy, my oldest was a terror on wheels and we ended up going to counseling because he was trying to divide the home and I was having none of that... you would be surprised what causes our kids display destructive/disrespectful behavior. (he was being picked on at school so when he was home he was trying to bully us) Was soo worth the money seeing that counselor. Not saying your kid has an issue going on, just throwing it out there. Good luck... 4 -
DeficitDuchess wrote: »
How's figuring the math of, someone else's post count not; a waste of time?
Well it is simple, took maybe 12-15 seconds.. and wasn't in front of kids2 -
You're giving your kids too many choices. My parents didn't "offer" to take us on a walk, to the park, or on a family bike ride. If I didn't want to go? Too bad, it's family bike ride time here's your helmet. If I whined and complained the whole time? My parents ignored me and talked amongst themselves while I sulked. Eventually my behaviour modified because the buttons I was trying to push weren't working and I wasn't getting anything I wanted.
Good luck
I agree with @bronnyd
Don't let him tell you what he is or isn't going to do. You were not put on this Earth to wait on him hand and foot. Kids need to know there are consequences for their actions.1 -
DeficitDuchess wrote: »
Actually most, serious acts of; defiance & endangerment're a direct result of, the child previously; being spanked! I've seen many, children hit; their parent because their parent hit, them 1st and/or the child did something dangerous to; actually get hit because the child was so, desperate for their neglectful parent to; pay attention to them!
I was very rarely spanked as a young child and only when the situation warranted it and would never consider hitting them back. All of my friends were raised the same way, in a loving home with a very well-known "bright line" that we did not ever cross without knowing BEFOREHAND that there were serious consequences on the other side. None of us were defiant, or hit our parents. However none of our parents neglected us for television or the internet either. I completely agree that spanking in anger, yelling and violence are no way to steer a child to respect a parent's authority and when done so it that way can cause lasting damage.
However, I do believe that there is a correct way to judiciously use corporate punishment for certain children that respond to it. Some children are inherently "pleasers" and respond to discussion and never ever need to be spanked. Other children are "testers" and want to push the boundaries to see where that "bright line" is---do my folks mean what they say? do i really have to mind or can i push a few more inches? I was never spanked in anger or in a rush. The few times that I was spanked it was for very serious offenses and there was a discussion and a thought period beforehand and I never not one moment doubted that my parents loved me and had my best interest at heart.3 -
Gimsteinn1 wrote: »So let me get this straight, your kid is showing interest in video games and how to work those and you're punishing him and now he feels like he has to hide it from you in order to get what he wants and likes?
Sit down, open minecraft and play with the kid. He seems to love this *kitten* so why are you so against it?
Video games are a great way to learn. Trust me I know. I have a 6 year old and a 4 year old who's fluent in 2 languages cause of video games and youtube. They both look up videos to watch them and learn how to do stuff in the games they play.
Everyday my children have to do a few things before they get to play with their Xbox or the Ipads.
The 6 YO needs to finish her homework, wash one load of laundry and tidy up her room
The 4 YO needs to take out the trash and tidy his room.
And they both have to go to bed on time and eat healthy food if they wan't to keep their Xbox and Ipads or they don't get to play the day after. Works like a charm.
When that's done they can do what they want. If they wanna go out to play they go out, if they wanna be on the computer then they can do that.
I'd much rather they play video games where they have to interact and use their mind to do stuff and solve puzzles rather then sneak around stealing my phone to watch youtube.
And by the way... I live with a video game designer who makes good money making this *kitten*. If your kids are showing that much interest in games, sign them up for a programming course and encourage their interest. This could end up being their career.
This is awesome!
I don't think the problem with this kid is the fact that he is playing video games. It is the fact that he thinks he is ENTITLED to play them any time he wishes even to his own detriment in school performance. You are ensuring that your children are EARNING their video game time which is a different situation entirely.1 -
I'm at the end of my rope here. Seriously. My son is a very sweet kid... but he's seriously pushing my limits.
He got into watching Minecraft Youtube videos a couple months back because my husband let him. He seriously ended up glued for hours, which I didn't like, but it was the week end so I let it go.
Almost all parents are dealing with it these days. I've gone through the same with both of my boys, and still having periodic issues with my 13 year old. For us, we just had to take a hard line and create guidelines for just how much time is spent there. We put chores and homework first, and they must earn computer/game time. If work is not done, and done well, then they don't earn it. That simple. If they try to sneak in time, or such they get grounded from everything for a few days. I also have full control of all internet access for home devices and cell phones, and I have turned that off when needed to make my point.
I mean, I don't care they play games and watch videos, but only if they earn that time, and that it isn't the only thing they do. I love taking the boys outside and in the garage to do DIY work, and they get a good sense of accomplishment which can help them understand productive things can be satisfying. And I talk to them A LOT about productivity overall, showing them how to do little things each day to make bigger accomplishments.
I also keep both boys busy with sports and such almost every day.
Now, I also see that as they get older and start hanging out with friends the computer time and such starts to fade anyway, but the quicker you help direct them to balance out productive needs over entertainment wants the better they will be.
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Actually most, serious acts of; defiance & endangerment're a direct result of, the child previously; being spanked! I've seen many, children hit; their parent because their parent hit, them 1st and/or the child did something dangerous to; actually get hit because the child was so, desperate for their neglectful parent to; pay attention to them![/quote]
It's very difficult to read your sentences with all the weird punctuation that doesn't belong, but I highly disagree with this statement. My brother and I were both spanked as children and this did NOT happen to us, nor did it happen to my own daughter or his 3 daughters. This is a blanket statement that does not apply to everyone. Sorry if spanking is frowned upon nowadays, but let me tell you - we had respect for our parents and all they had to do was give us the "look" and we immediately stopped misbehaving. I only had to swat my daughter once on the butt to get my point across and never had to do it again. She did not grow up fearful of me and she's a very respectful 19 yr old now.4 -
He never cared for a point system. We have one on the fridge and he doesn't care about a possible reward he might get in a week.
He doesn't care about anything.. has no interest in anything else. He gets to spend time with friends every Sunday but he's still downstairs watching TV on Monday at 4am.
Parenting isn't easy. I homeschool my four kiddos and work from home. I've got one with cognitive delays and one with ADHD. Communication, consistency, and structure are key. Kids are kids, regardless of any disorders or disabilities. They can smell the waffling parent a mile away, and will exploit it for their own benefit. They know that if one parent regularly disagrees with a point, that one parent becomes a tool for whatever emotional/material gratification the child is after (something I recently learned during my divorce - yikes). They also pick up on the lack of communication in a household. If you all are not sitting down as a family to brainstorm ideas, or don't have a routine that you follow for activities, you can easily confuse a child, and make him feel less validated.
Let him have a voice. Don't shoot down his ideas. He may also want to try to differentiate himself more from his twin sister. Recognize his individuality in a positive fashion, and really listen to what he is communicating, both verbally and nonverbally. The reason he's drawn to Minecraft is because a parent has taken the time to show him this activity. There was something about that attention he received that he does not normally receive at home.
He can get both the attention he needs and feel more involved in the family if you are a disciplined and consistent parent. I would think this would be the cornerstone of any household with children that has to spend a large part of their day away from each other because of work, school and other activities. Admittedly, I've only met a few parents that assume it's the school's job to make a home schedule and the friends' parents job to raise/fill up the day for their child/children. Don't give up, and you won't be a failure. Good luck
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My friend uses Disney Circle. She has complete control over the kids devices, if she asks them to do something and gives them a time limit and they don't, she just completely shuts off the wifi no matter what they were doing at the time, they won't be able to keep doing it. At night before you go to bed, shut off the wifi so they can't access anything while you are asleep.0
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I hesitated to answer you. I'm 62 and grew up with 5 brothers and have 3 sons of my own now--23, 29 and 30. Franci, I've seen alot of your posts over the years. The problem here is that your son has no respect for you as a disciplinarian. This problem will get worse as he gets to be a teenager. What can you do now? As you've seen--not much. He's only 9, but the dye is cast. My question here is--where the heck is your husband? Your husband started his son on this lovely journey with no rules set down. It's up to him to step in. I'd just tell him to fix things now. What you're doing is not working. Males respect someone who is powerful, and they keep testing. It's the same with animals. If that puppy grows up to be a dog that does whatever he wants, I won't be surprised. I don't mean to be critical, I've seen alot of parents whose children don't listen to them. You have to start when they're babies. You give them love and cuddles, but when you say something, they should listen. I thought I was so mean with my boys (my sisters in law all said so), but now my sons talking among themselves about their cousins say "well what do you expect, they grew up doing whatever they wanted". I wish you luck here.4
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snowflake954 wrote: »I hesitated to answer you. I'm 62 and grew up with 5 brothers and have 3 sons of my own now--23, 29 and 30. Franci, I've seen alot of your posts over the years. The problem here is that your son has no respect for you as a disciplinarian. This problem will get worse as he gets to be a teenager. What can you do now? As you've seen--not much. He's only 9, but the dye is cast. My question here is--where the heck is your husband? Your husband started his son on this lovely journey with no rules set down. It's up to him to step in. I'd just tell him to fix things now. What you're doing is not working. Males respect someone who is powerful, and they keep testing. It's the same with animals. If that puppy grows up to be a dog that does whatever he wants, I won't be surprised. I don't mean to be critical, I've seen alot of parents whose children don't listen to them. You have to start when they're babies. You give them love and cuddles, but when you say something, they should listen. I thought I was so mean with my boys (my sisters in law all said so), but now my sons talking among themselves about their cousins say "well what do you expect, they grew up doing whatever they wanted". I wish you luck here.
This is a tough situation to be in and I sympathize with you. That being said, you, your husband, someone needs to take the bull by the horns and get this kind of behavior under control. I have 3 kids (one of which is a 9 year old boy) and they have all pushed my limits to a certain degree. However, they know I mean business when I ask them to do something, punish them, whatever. You mentioned that even getting them to bed is a nightmare. Why??? You are the parent. They do not get a say. It's time for you to get tough and start laying down the laws and sticking to your guns. The idea of taking the remotes to bed is a great one, but you mentioned that you can't leave it up to your husband to actually member to do it. You/he has to follow through. It sounds like your son knows he can get over on you which is why he could care less about being punished because he knows someone will not follow through, maybe forget to bring the remotes to bed or forget to pad lock the power cord and he will get what he wants anyway.
You are the parent. He is the child. What you say goes. Follow through.
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Trying to reply in order...
I'm a SAHM, as I've mentioned. I'm awake in average 2 hours every morning before my kids... I have my coffee and browse the web/read the forums. Then I make them lunch and get them ready for school.
Then I'm alone all day. I have lunch at my computer after the gym, other than that I do chores, cooking, groceries, go for walks etc. Then I pick them up from school. If they play after school, that's home at 4.15pm. I help with homework, make dinner. After dinner I usually try to go for a walk (and try to get them out with me) or just do things in the house until bedtime.
They really don't see me at the computer that much (plus now with the puppy I'm outside with her every 30 minutes or something). On week ends, if we're not doing something, I'm usually out running errands, at the gym, or going for a walk. I go nuts if I sit more than an hour or so, so there's really not that much sitting around. I used to play video games all day, sure, but I've changed a lot in the last 4 years (they actually bore me now).
Also I have absolutely no problem with my kids playing games or being on their tablet actually. It becomes a problem when they complain when you ask them to put them down, when they get on them instead of doing what we ask them to do (homework, going in the shower) - that's when they lose them. That's how the whole thing started really... he got punished because he sneaked upstairs to watch tv instead of doing his homework, then started sneaking to do it even though he was grounded for a week (at the time).
About 'the talk', I've done it a few times, but yep, another one is in order.Gimsteinn1 wrote: »So let me get this straight, your kid is showing interest in video games and how to work those and you're punishing him and now he feels like he has to hide it from you in order to get what he wants and likes?
Sit down, open minecraft and play with the kid. He seems to love this *kitten* so why are you so against it?
Video games are a great way to learn. Trust me I know. I have a 6 year old and a 4 year old who's fluent in 2 languages cause of video games and youtube. They both look up videos to watch them and learn how to do stuff in the games they play.
Everyday my children have to do a few things before they get to play with their Xbox or the Ipads.
The 6 YO needs to finish her homework, wash one load of laundry and tidy up her room
The 4 YO needs to take out the trash and tidy his room.
And they both have to go to bed on time and eat healthy food if they wan't to keep their Xbox and Ipads or they don't get to play the day after. Works like a charm.
When that's done they can do what they want. If they wanna go out to play they go out, if they wanna be on the computer then they can do that.
I'd much rather they play video games where they have to interact and use their mind to do stuff and solve puzzles rather then sneak around stealing my phone to watch youtube.
And by the way... I live with a video game designer who makes good money making this *kitten*. If your kids are showing that much interest in games, sign them up for a programming course and encourage their interest. This could end up being their career.
This is actually exactly the way we did things before it escalated out of hand, lol. My daughter's counselor was saying to let her have 15 more minutes of tablet as reward or whatnot... but we never even restricted it in the first place, as long as they were respectful and did what they were supposed to do first.
So yeah, I want to follow through (I told him, no tv for a week, and if he stops he can watch it again in a week, but he just doesn't stop), and I am, it just doesn't do a thing, which is what's driving me nuts.
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You're not the failure, society is.
If you weren't worried for your son, you might be closer to it.
I'd recommend playing games with him a bit, but make sure he knows there are allowable times, maybe an hour or two a day where he can play it.
@Gimsteinn1 hits the nail on the head.
This time is only after doing some chores/homework.
Bed time stays, all tech stays out of the bedroom.
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I would start saving up money to send my kid to junior military school/camp if he was really acting that selfish. I would be too worried that things could get worse as he gets older. It's a serious option.
Sometimes parents need to recognize their limits. Smart kids get scared and change their act quickly when they face motivational discipline from an expert.
Call a few Junior cadet schools/leadership camps and share your story. Make sure the boy is part of the conversation and follow through with any choices so the kid knows you are serious.
If a parent is all talk and no walk then they are a doormat for kids to step on.2 -
Trying to reply in order...
I'm a SAHM, as I've mentioned. I'm awake in average 2 hours every morning before my kids... I have my coffee and browse the web/read the forums. Then I make them lunch and get them ready for school.
Then I'm alone all day. I have lunch at my computer after the gym, other than that I do chores, cooking, groceries, go for walks etc. Then I pick them up from school. If they play after school, that's home at 4.15pm. I help with homework, make dinner. After dinner I usually try to go for a walk (and try to get them out with me) or just do things in the house until bedtime.
They really don't see me at the computer that much (plus now with the puppy I'm outside with her every 30 minutes or something). On week ends, if we're not doing something, I'm usually out running errands, at the gym, or going for a walk. I go nuts if I sit more than an hour or so, so there's really not that much sitting around. I used to play video games all day, sure, but I've changed a lot in the last 4 years (they actually bore me now).
Also I have absolutely no problem with my kids playing games or being on their tablet actually. It becomes a problem when they complain when you ask them to put them down, when they get on them instead of doing what we ask them to do (homework, going in the shower) - that's when they lose them. That's how the whole thing started really... he got punished because he sneaked upstairs to watch tv instead of doing his homework, then started sneaking to do it even though he was grounded for a week (at the time).
About 'the talk', I've done it a few times, but yep, another one is in order.
This is actually exactly the way we did things before it escalated out of hand, lol. My daughter's counselor was saying to let her have 15 more minutes of tablet as reward or whatnot... but we never even restricted it in the first place, as long as they were respectful and did what they were supposed to do first.
So yeah, I want to follow through (I told him, no tv for a week, and if he stops he can watch it again in a week, but he just doesn't stop), and I am, it just doesn't do a thing, which is what's driving me nuts.
You try to get them to go for a walk? At 9 years old, they don't have a choice.3 -
We had the same problem with my 9 year old when he was 8 and became a YouTube addict. We just decided to take a two week media fast - the whole family. Instead of looking at screens we went outside, played board games as a family, had Lego building contests and, honestly, spent a lot more time together. The kids also got back into reading and doing crafts (although the clean up was kinda epic). And my husband and I started a couple new hobbies together. The first few days totally sucked, I will confess. Whiny kids who were sooooooo bored, but I kept telling them "your boredom is not my problem" and handed out chores for whining. After the first three days or so the kids got the hang of it and barely seemed to miss the screen time. These days they have to earn screen time, and we lock all the electronics at night so no one can sneak, but overall things are better. You are definitely not a bad parent!3
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TavistockToad wrote: »
You try to get them to go for a walk? At 9 years old, they don't have a choice.
Yeah, sure. But I gave up trying after a while because all the crying and whining was just not making it fun for anyone (my daughter is the worst though)... and it was just much more enjoyable for me to go alone. Heck we tried hiking. For months. All the wailing and complaining and crying didn't stop one bit after those months. At some point it's just completely ruining family time and you end up resenting each other and believe me, it's not doing your family any good either.
But otherwise, when I want to go somewhere, we're going, whether he wants to or not. I just don't see the point of making everyone miserable just to prove a point though... when I am alone all day to do the boring stuff (and we have other things to do at night, like homework and getting showers).
Obviously during Summer break I have to drag them everywhere though, but it's definitely not fun for anyone (not looking forward to that).0 -
Gimsteinn1 is very wise.
I have 4 kids, 36, 34, 31 and 27, all played video games. All of them now have Master's degrees and 3 of them work in the computer field. One is a teacher who builds game consoles as a hobby. Did they try to play video games or watch tv at homework time? You bet your sweet A. I basically "sat" on them, they did homework at the table and I sat there with them. It was boring but bonding.
I think the situation has gone out of control, it's time to bring it back. You said it's been going on for months. Do you want to live in a war zone?
Stop with the punishments, they aren't working and it's just making him sneakier. Find a compromise that YOU can live with. Sit him down and say "This is how it's going to be..." and lay it out, however you decide to settle it and it is not up for negotiation. I think all this talk about smashing routers, hiding chords and spanking isn't going to help you establish control.
You need to work on your "Mom" look, the one that has kids cringing, not because they are scared of you but because they know you are really angry. There should be a password on your phones and any computer your kids have access to, and change it frequently. If they really get you, they get no access. But keep any punishment to a level YOU can live with, having the kid sit in the car for an hour while his sister plays means you are going to sit in the car for an hour (boring)2 -
JeromeBarry1 wrote: »My Minecraft kid is 20, has not graduated high school, and works at an Arby's asking, "Do you want waffle fries with that?"
Is that what your son wants?
... Arby's has actually pretty good waffle fries.
seriously tho', it could be a lot worse. Maybe he's just taking his time and needing to learn the hard way.
We have two kids. One is trying to figure life out on her own (trial and error); the other is playing it by the book and seems to be doing everything right (whatever 'right ' is)
Hang in there.0 -
We don't watch TV at all except after the kids are in bed. We don't like sports at all, but we always offer to go out for walks, go to the park or something... he doesn't want anything with it. If he ends up coming, he complains the whole time (she's worse than him about that actually).
I don't mind signing him up for things, I've just wasted a bunch of money on things he kept complaining about having to go to already and really don't have money to throw away that way (who does?). I can NEVER find something to do on week ends that they want to do either, so frankly I've pretty much given up at this point.
As I said.. my kids don't want to do anything except hanging out with friends and watching TV.
We ditched the television, that's right... no TV.
Sorry kids, read a book, walk the dog, do some push-ups.2 -
You remind me of my oldest sister and my nephew. Don't be hard on yourself. All the best.0
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Honestly though, that one is on me, but I'm a SAHM. I'm pretty active but I would probably completely lose my mind without Internet and/or TV (and my (not 5yo but 3yo because they replaced my broken 4yo phone with that one) phone doesn't have unlimited data either so I can't completely rely on that). Plus all my recipes are online... and I got to feed my family.
We'll try to figure out how to cut off the wifi from 11pm to 6am though.
Kids learn by example. Do not expect from your child to do as you say. If he sees you spending most of the day offline (e.g. turn the internet on only for limited hours in the morning), if he does not see you watching TV, if he sees you going to the gym, participating in athletic events, if you join the local pool together, if you go for bike rides and daily walks, this is what he will learn. If you and his dad spend hours with a phone glued on your hands or the TV in the background, you can talk to him about finding other interests until you turn blue, but he will have no clue what you are talking about. Lead by example. Your child is 9 years old. He copies you. He cannot do things you really do not want him to do. You control his lifestyle, there is very little he can or cannot do if you really mean it.3 -
Oh, I have 3 kids and have heard it all from "but my friends can play/surf the internet for 8 hours per day" (and they are not lying), to "I hate sports" and "I am not going for a walk, who does that?". I do not care. They throw tantrums , and then they try new things, and eventually figure out something they like, or something their best friend does or make new friends and the previously boring activity becomes interesting, or they see some progress in a specific sport and get proud. It takes some initial effort and commitment from the parents part. But the kids do not run the show!2
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Yeah, sure. But I gave up trying after a while because all the crying and whining was just not making it fun for anyone (my daughter is the worst though)... and it was just much more enjoyable for me to go alone. Heck we tried hiking. For months. All the wailing and complaining and crying didn't stop one bit after those months. At some point it's just completely ruining family time and you end up resenting each other and believe me, it's not doing your family any good either.
But otherwise, when I want to go somewhere, we're going, whether he wants to or not. I just don't see the point of making everyone miserable just to prove a point though... when I am alone all day to do the boring stuff (and we have other things to do at night, like homework and getting showers).
Obviously during Summer break I have to drag them everywhere though, but it's definitely not fun for anyone (not looking forward to that).
Sorry to hear that, it must be tough.
So what do you do for family time?1 -
As annoying it would be for you to not get to watch a tv show each night, I would just put all the TVs away and make sure there is no internet access at night (router). I think the fact that your son is sneaking around at 4:30 AM and doesn't care at all about consequences is a singnal things are out of control and completely need to be changed. Both you and your husband need to get on board with it too. One parent can't be on their phone while the kids are around or it won't work. Become a TV-free family until the kids are older and their frontal cortex a little more developed. Read a book at night for a while or do something else with your husband, like a board game, or just talk, or swap back rubs. Read Lord of the Rings or some other long novel to your kids maybe, something they will get into and want to hear every night. I would give your son his toys back so that he actually has something to play with instead of wanting to watch videos/TV. He needs to re-lean how to be imaginative again, kids have this ability but too much TV or screen time makes the brain lazy and kids forget how to play pretend. Let them hang out with friends on weekends with no TV or video games, and you don't have to find something for them to do, they need to learn to entertain themselves sometimes. Eventually, the kids will figure out something to do and having friends to figure that out with is more fun sometimes than doing it alone. I don't think you are a terrible parent but maybe some of the choices about allowing so much screen time didn't work for your kids (some kids can handle it some can't). Don't try to find reasons why not to try something new, just find something new, because what is going on now isn't working for you.0
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Again--where is your husband in all this? You are not the only parent.2
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Gimsteinn1 wrote: »So let me get this straight, your kid is showing interest in video games and how to work those and you're punishing him and now he feels like he has to hide it from you in order to get what he wants and likes?
Sit down, open minecraft and play with the kid. He seems to love this *kitten* so why are you so against it?
Video games are a great way to learn. Trust me I know. I have a 6 year old and a 4 year old who's fluent in 2 languages cause of video games and youtube. They both look up videos to watch them and learn how to do stuff in the games they play.
Everyday my children have to do a few things before they get to play with their Xbox or the Ipads.
The 6 YO needs to finish her homework, wash one load of laundry and tidy up her room
The 4 YO needs to take out the trash and tidy his room.
And they both have to go to bed on time and eat healthy food if they wan't to keep their Xbox and Ipads or they don't get to play the day after. Works like a charm.
When that's done they can do what they want. If they wanna go out to play they go out, if they wanna be on the computer then they can do that.
I'd much rather they play video games where they have to interact and use their mind to do stuff and solve puzzles rather then sneak around stealing my phone to watch youtube.
And by the way... I live with a video game designer who makes good money making this *kitten*. If your kids are showing that much interest in games, sign them up for a programming course and encourage their interest. This could end up being their career.
Brilliant post!
We did much of the same raising our three and they are doing wonderfully. There have been ups and downs, but we allow them to fail, but use these failures as teachable moments to come back from. My son was close to failing this year and now proud of his near straight A's. We established limits, provided guidance, and have them all contributing to the household as they can. This gives kids the responsibility and pride that comes with it. Video games can be a great teaching tool if used correctly - many require extremely complex team building and problem solving abilities.
I have spanked when appropriate, but our go to is pushup position - begin! My 6 year old daughter can bang out 20 solid pushups. I use this as my corrective behavior - by the time they finish a set they usually forget about whatever they were upset about and the attitude is corrected.
To the OP - this sounds like a classic case of do what I say, not what I do. What shared activities do you have? You and your husband need to redefine your roles as parents - the leaders in the household.0
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