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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

What do you do with your kids?

45 replies

plumpmom · 29/12/2019 16:40

AIBU in wanting some screen free time in my house? My kids are constantly on games on the PlayStation and my DH isn’t working so he’s sat on it too. It’s like living in a gaming cafe. So I’m wondering what do you all do when you’re at home all day long together?

OP posts:

Strongmummy · 29/12/2019 16:41

Go to the pub by myself

Ohyesiam · 29/12/2019 16:42

Put a time limit on it

Alkaloise · 29/12/2019 16:43

How old are the kids?

Lipperfromchipper · 29/12/2019 16:43

Go out for a family walk, bike ride/scoot, surf etc

Inside activities usually Lego, board games and colouring.

Original poster

plumpmom · 29/12/2019 17:11

Does anybody live with kids and a husband who game all day long? Does it make you feel like a nobody?

OP posts:

Loveislandaddict · 29/12/2019 17:13

My dc are always on their phones.

You need to stipulate screen-free times. Ie. No screens at meal times, go on family walks or trips to cinemas, all watch a film together,

I know it’s easier said then done

Stilllivinginazoo · 29/12/2019 17:16

We have no phones at mealtimes,gaming hours are limited to few hours at a time
If reject "family time"(out on bikes/walking in nature/board or card games/dvds and pop corn together )gaming time is reduced.not for everyone but when asked what they'd like to change 6months ago everyone recognised how segregated they had become and wanted structured time together

ThreeAnkleBiters · 29/12/2019 17:17

Depends how old they are, mine are 8 and 5 we play games (Labyrinth, don't say it, monopoly, hungry hippos, jenga etc), do puzzles, kind of sit around and chat, watch films, sometimes all sit reading our own books, go for walks. I sympathise with you though, DH is a bit of a gamer and if I didn't put my foot down there'd be a lot more screen time. Does feel like having a third child when he's moaning as much as the kids when it's time to get off.

Mumof1andacat · 29/12/2019 17:19

Box set to watch in your bedroom with xmas chocolates!

Purpleartichoke · 29/12/2019 17:21

Well, sometimes I game too. It’s surprisingly good bonding time.

We also play board games and do science experiments.

kerkyra · 29/12/2019 17:22

I'm single but my 12yr old ds would be on his ps and phone all day if he could.
It's ok when he is at school but during the hols I try and do one thing in the day with him to get him off,even a walk to the shop to get some milk or take the dog to the woods.
He has only recently(last year) got into these devices and I wonder how parents of younger kids manage.

I feel a bit of a spare part just like you !

Sofast · 29/12/2019 17:23

We play board games, mine are still young enough for toys so we play, we craft and bake. I'm an unashamed "glitter mum" though. We get fresh air to and walk the dog and have little bike rides

Sofast · 29/12/2019 17:25

Should also add that we have watched a film together almost every day of the hols. We need some down time

SalmonFajitas · 29/12/2019 17:26

A lot of the time we're just hanging out together e.g. DC1 building a lego set, DC2 doing a drawing me vaguely reading my book, DH doing a sketch. Sometimes we play board games together or all sit down to watch a film. Meal times are definitely screen free.

BronzeSilverGold13 · 29/12/2019 17:35

I have no advice just wanted you to know I feel your pain. I don't have kids that game but DP is out of work at the moment and all he does is play computer games... I'm at uni and working and he complained about having to hoover 3 times a week.

poppycity · 29/12/2019 17:49

Definitely implement screen free hours. There's also a good list you can adapt that says something like (this is a weekend one).

Screens are for after...
Making your bed
Getting dressed, brushing teeth
Reading for 45 minutes (signed off by an adult)
Playing outside for an hour
Playing a board game or making something (sketch, paint, build)
Completing your chores (wash breakfast dishes, sweep kitchen floor)
An hour of family time
Walking the dog
Breakfast and lunch has been eaten

Usually means they don't get to free time until well after lunch. And if they've enjoyed something else like playing outside with kids on the street, screens are forgotten about.

RandomUsernameHere · 29/12/2019 17:50

Invite friends or neighbours round? My two watched a bit of tv in the morning but have been outside most of the day playing football and on their scooters with the neighbours. It is a lot harder when there aren't other kids to play with though.

BlueJava · 29/12/2019 17:52

DH and two 17 yo DS are all gamers (DH mostly works though to be fair). I never stop them or limit them but we try and make sure we do lots of other stuff together (watch a film/TV show, play board games, get the DS to cook something for all of us etc). We're on hols over Xmas and NY so have been skiing and doing other sports every day.

WorraLiberty · 29/12/2019 17:54

Does anybody live with kids and a husband who game all day long? Does it make you feel like a nobody?

No. Why would you allow your kids to do this?

When do they get fresh air and exercise? Read? Socialise, learn new things, play board games etc?

misskatamari · 29/12/2019 17:57

Mine are 4 and 5 but do enjoy gaming, and we have some we play as a family, so I'm mindful of making sure we don't play too much. We try and get out for some fresh air every day, either scoot/walk/trip to the park.

When at home we enjoy reading, baking, crafting, colouring, jigsaws, and love board games. Depending on the kids ages, there are some really great ones out there. We love cooperative ones, my two have just got Out foxed for Christmas, which is good for little ones. For older ones, forbidden island/desert are fun and for teens pandemic is fantastic. We've just got Sagrada and Azul for Christmas as well, which are both really different and fun, and my 5 year old has managed to play a simplified version with me.

ineedaholidaynow · 29/12/2019 18:00

Walk the dog, board games, puzzles.

PS4 is in the lounge so there has to be consideration for other members of the family, if they want to watch tv etc

Barbararara · 29/12/2019 18:10

2 hours of screen time in the evening at weekends. The rest of the time dc play alone or together, read books. We play cards and board games together, and they help with the crossword. Occasional family movies are additional to the screen time quota. We go away for weekends together but if we’re at home don’t tend to do much with the dc in the way of outings though we might walk for an ice cream or go our for a meal. In summer they pitch in with gardening.
Neither dh or I are gamers so that definitely helps. And I won’t lie that the hour and a half before screen time is a hell. Frankly I believe that boredom is beneficial.

chillandrelax · 29/12/2019 18:31

Mine would be on screen all day if they had the choice. Yesterday I dragged them out for a bike ride, we watched a film and I played games with my youngest. Today we have been for a walk and played a couple of games. It's hard but I think they need fresh air once a day and then they can chill. I'm making an effort to put my phone down too.

Allyg1185 · 29/12/2019 18:34

What the hell is a glitter mum??

PullingMySocksUp · 29/12/2019 18:35

A glitter mum likes doing crafty stuff with glitter. I’d guess.

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