Please help me with Nintendo switch rules

[howtobehuman]

DH bought a surprise Nintendo switch for Christmas. The second it was opened I started feeling stressed but didn't want to be a spoil sport so went with it. Eldest DS has some sort of SEN, yet to be diagnosed but basically he struggles massively with big emotions and needs strict boundaries, not to be too overstimulated etc - obvious stuff but more essential to him probably than the average child. Anyway it's already an issue as he begs for the Nintendo then get hysterical if we say no. I decided from the beginning it could be something they could do with DH only as it limits the time they could play and I can avoid the begging. It's not enough though, DS found it earlier and started playing it then kicked off massively when I took it away. So we need to get strict rules in place. I was thinking zero mon - fri as DH often works late and then just 1 hour sat & 1 hour Sunday. Does that seem ok or a bit harsh?

You can set parental timer controls on the device - and these also deal with things like ‘giving 5 minute warnings’

We got a switch and I will be limiting it. Realistically they won’t be on it Monday-Thursday due to afterschool activities. I will allow them flexible time at the weekends depending on homework/chores/ other commitments. Any moaning when they are told to come off and they will not go back on till the next weekend. However we will play as a family as well.

They really raise your heart rate, make you feel excited yet you’re sitting still. Sitting still ramped full of adrenaline but no physical outlet.

See I don't understand this logic. A good book does exactly the same, it raised your heart rate and makes you feel excited but no one ever suggests that you have a timer on how long you can read a book for??

I would say 1 hour at the weekends is too little the switch cost you hundreds of pounds. If you're worried about them playing on it and only going to let them use it for 2 hours a week then I would wonder why you bothered getting it to be honest.

3 and 6??? They would t be allowed one in my house. I've had terrible trouble trying to ration my 10 yo dd to an hour a day on her kindle games and in the end took it off her. Her behaviour has improved dramatically. No more hysterics over no being able to play. She's NT.
stick to your guns OP. Others disagree and tend to have a free fir all where gaming goes but having seen the damage done then I'm very against lots of time gaming.

PerverseConverse I agree, it's just not my thing. Maybe I'd be different if my son was laid back and easy but ever since he was little I've seen the effects and I don't like it. I took the I pad away years ago, it was locked away until it was forgotten about and has been in the cupboard ever since. Now he's a bit bigger and I know it's something he can enjoy with his dad I feel the pressure to lighten up 😕

3 year old is fine, chilled out and doesn't play much on it anyway.

You're obviously not a fan of technology, which is fine. However, having an Ipad locked in the cupboard, and a switch which is used for 8 hours a month seems like a colossal waste of money. Why not just get sell them?

The iPad was a work one, so not paid for. & the switch was bought by DH, I wouldn't waste my money on it.

I pad is about as old as DS so probably not worth selling. It was needed for some work project at the time.

See I don't understand this logic. A good book does exactly the same, it raised your heart rate and makes you feel excited but no one ever suggests that you have a timer on how long you can read a book for

Right, so have you ever played a computer game like fortnite I’m guessing not.

The last time I checked, a book doesn’t have flashing images, rewards depending on how you perform, sounds etc etc

I wouldn't waste my money on it.

But surely his money is also family money? Switches aren't cheap £250 for the console, easily £30 for games, and usually more. That's a lot of money that could be spent on other things which benefit the family for more than 8 hours a month.

As for the Ipad if you don't use it then I would sell it, you may not get loads for it but better something than it sitting doing nothing.

1 hour a day at the weekend isn't going to give them much game play.

You can set a limit on the Nintendo parent app, plus you can stop game play from it if they kick off.

DS has autism, and loves his switch. He is allowed on an hour a night, from 6-7 during the week, and only once food eaten, bathed and no school work. He is allowed 2 hours at the weekend at his choosing.

We had one too.

Realistically we have hardly any time to get it out during the school week so it really won't be an issue Monday - Thursday.

I think I'd maybe not set such s strict time limit on Saturday & Sunday. I've found it works better to get it out later in the day and put it away at tea time, but I'm not going to set an absolute limit. If behaviour has been good and weather is rubbish i might want it for longer etc!

I think 2 hours a day during school week for a 6 year old is rather a lot, by the time he ate dinner etc that's nearly the whole evening.

PS with the parental controls & time limits, does it turn off or just sound an alarm?

I've been pushing it over playing Zelda nothing seems to happen?

I thought your proposed rules were ridiculous till I saw how young your DC are. I think your DH probably bought it for himself rather than the kids!
Let them play on it whenever they want for now and see how it goes. Then think about guidelines for them if they won't come off it after being given a 10 min, then a 5 min countdown.

I think I'll just keep it as a weekend thing but maybe be a bit more flexible on time