Gaming every day

[anotherteapot]

DS8 wants to game on the ipad every night after school. At least one of his friends is always online at any given time after school and they seem to arrange to play on it every day.

I give him about an hour (sometimes less) every day with a visual timer but he is starting to ask for it more and more at the weekend.

Is this too much? Not one size fits all. He has a brother of similar age to play with. He also wants the TV in the morning before school but I only allow 20 mins or so before they have to get ready.

Why not let him “earn” extra gaming time through other activities? Doing extra reading or spellings practice, helping with household chores etc.

I don’t personally think that gaming, in moderation and as long as he keeps up with other interests and hobbies, is an issue - especially not if it’s also a social and friendship activity, playing with friends. Just be mindful of the balance and make sure there are other options for the weekends - if he’s asking at the weekends because he’s stuck in the house with nothing planned then perhaps he needs more playdates, family outings, hobbies, outdoor time etc.

My ds (8) is allowed to watch tv in the morning but no gaming. He can game after school but he's very good in the sense he knows when he's had enough. He usually is the one telling me that he's only going to play one more game then turn it off and do something else. I'm happy with that and we make sure we do crafts, LEGO and go out for walks etc.

I think the main thing is to make sure that he doesn't over do it so you both need to find the balance.

Personally, I think it's too much at that age.

Be careful.. that's how mine started and at 14 i had a serious problem with his gaming. I know that's a long time down the line but it's a slippery slope. Do you live with his dad and is he willing to back you up?

Yes DH (his Dad) lives with us and is on the same page. He also puts the visual timer in front of him and tells him to come off it. He also plays outside with Dad a lot.

He likes to play outside and plays sport twice a week. It's the fact that he says his mates are on after school every day. It's a tricky balance isn't it?