To ask how you manage child's screen time?

[Rollmopsrule]

Hi
Just wondered how everyone else manages it.

My son has been banned from all screen time for the last few weeks as a punishment. He will be allowed to have them back from the weekend but I want to manage it more effectively.
A bit of background is he is majorly addicted. Becomes moody/ rude when I ask him to put games away even if I've given a pre warning and constantly tries to bend the rules. I've seen some of his friends, they enjoy playing but move on to something else after a while. He's just completely absorbed and would play for hours if he could and sees his other activities such as sport as getting in the way. He's 10 and doesn't have a phone yet so I see this as my last year to try and teach him about healthy usage.
Over the past few weeks without video games his mood and manners have improved so much. He is a pleasure to be with and tbh I'm a bit gutted he will have them back.
I was thinking an hour a day then none on a Sunday?
Just curious how others manage it with a child that's so addicted?

Two things

• telling DS how much I hated his mood/manners when he gets into "game mode". And making it clear that it's not gaming time I object to so much, but the attitude that comes with it. He thus knows that he gets more time if he behaves more amicably with me.

• provide alternatives. My DS is now 13 and between after school activities, homework etc he doesn't actually have too much time free. If I do think he's spending way too much time on the PS4, I'll get him to come and read with me or cook something (obviously you pick something that your DS will find rewarding).

Thanks for your reply RedSky.
Yes he doesn't have a huge amount of free time either.
I will definitely highlight it's his attitude not the actual gaming that is the problem. I like the idea of providing alternatives. He just gets so grumpy it sucks the joy out of it!
I think I'm going to draw up the rules then stick to them like glue. He's proven in the past he can't self manage at the moment.

For DS...no iGadgets or computer screens Monday to Friday. He has a bit of TV before school. Weekends, when home (rarely) he can have a free for all.
He was completely addicted, which was my fault entirely so we had to go cold turkey.
For both kids, no screens in the car at all.

I'll add, we sorted his bedroom out to make all his old favourite toys and games easily accessible. He now has options to go to rather than screaming how bored he is and unable to find things easily.

I had 3 lads and feel
Your pain and I absolutlry agree with RedSky approach.

Good luck op you are so right to tackle this for his sake

We have 1 hour on weekdays. But only after homework and before 7pm, not allowed first thing at all.

2 hours a day at weekends, but it does not take precedent over family/other stuff and will be removed immediately if there is attitude issues.

I've had to get super tough with DS as it really affects his behaviour and attitude (he's 11) phone time is also included in his 'gaming time' and all things are taken away overnight.

I love periods when its banned!!!!

Dd is only 9, so might change, but she does activities every day after school, swimming x 3, football x 3 mainly, so she doesn't have time to spend too long on it, so I've never had to ban or restrict it. Works for us.

I know a parenting worker who used to advise that the hour allowed was spilt into two 30 minutes, so they do something else for minimum 30 mins in the middle (dinner, homework, annoy mum, whatever).
She also advised 30 mins on weekdays and an hour on weekends.
Mine are too tiny for this to be an issue yet but I'm hoping to be ready when the time comes!

Thanks to everyone for your ideas.
On reflection I think because of the level of addiction he needs some screen free days a week because it literally takes over his day. He does loads of after school stuff so I've looked at our week and decided on the best fit so it will be an hour split on alternate days, longer on Sat only if we are in and none on Sunday. Hes not allowed in the car anyway or at bedtime.
I'm also going to buy a spare wheel joystick thing so I can occasionally join in some of the games. Some of my best memories are playing video games with my Dad. He used to get well into it! Not sure if an over enthusiastic Mum will be cramping my son's style!
This last few weeks he's been drawing loads. Its been lovely to see his creative side. I just want to accommodate the gaming hobby he loves in a healthy way but not at the expense of other talents/hobbies.
Thanks again

My kids are younger at 6 and 4. We don't limit screen time at all. They use their tablets for early morning cartoon watching but normally choose to play with toys after school. If they've been on too long at the weekend I can normally suggest something they'd rather do e.g. a board game.

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I don't really. He's not allowed on the xbox before school but other than that we don't really have any rules. In theory he's not meant to be on it after 7pm either but if I collect my husband from the station from work later than that he stays on it until we get back which can be closer to 7.30.

He does do other things like athletics and swimming, but there's no doubt he does have too much screen time.

However, he gets his homework done and is doing well at school. If that changes, I'll change my stance, but at the moment it ain't broke so I'm not fixing it.