How do limit the PC/iPad use?

[Outofnappies]

Just that really - 2dc aged 6 and 5 both very happy to watch films and youtube (kids) on their iPads, but they are total zombies when watching and 5 mins soon becomes " can't/wont put it down, even for eating" or they wake up early and want to watch it. How do you limit its use successfully, so it's not an obsession? We have now got to the end of our tether And hidden them, much better, so far, but I am just wondering if there is a way to have the best of both worlds...

Basic rules - putting them down to eat, for example just wouldn't be up for negotiation. Meal times are times for conversation, not screens.

If you don't want them to watch them when they wake up early, then take them away the night before (although that actually seems like the best time to watch them to me, so they do something quietly while you snooze, but....)

You - as the adults - decide on the limits you want to impose, and set them out clearly - whether that's not being allowed to watch them at certain times of day, or giving them the opportunity to choose the time, but limiting the length, or whatever suits you. However, once you decide, then stick to it.

We use the kitchen timer in our house. You could also use the microwave timer. They get 10 minutes on the i-pad each. (2.5 years and 4.5 years).

The kitchen timer is your friend! use it! I use the timer to have 'races' for who can tidy up all the toys before the 'ding' happens.

No ipad upstairs is the rule in our house. Mind you, we only have one and it's MINE (as I keep reminding them).

We've always had a basic 'nothing electronic any time before lunch' rule. This was partly for my benefit to make sure I didn't use the TV as a babysitter.

Followed by a 'if you whinge when asked to turn off then I'm less likely to let you have it again' rule.

Definitely 'not upstairs' rule.

We also have 'if you ask for TV when we're out you're less likely to get it' rule.

Plus 'either agreement that at XXX we'll go out' rule or 'not until we've been out' rule.

Basically, you are the parent. Decide what you want and enforce.

5 and 6yo... their ipads...

Is this a joke?

The PC is easy - so long as you have windows 7 onwards, family controls enable you to put a timer on the account the kids use. Don't make it an admin account and do password protect any account that is an admin account.

Kitchen timer here too. They picked one out especially for timing computer usage.

And iPad and other handheld stuff live on top of bookshelves so DC can't reach them without an adult.

Turkey you clearly don't have climbers. Mine would happily ransack the house for ours at 2.5 and 4. They will climb shelves no prob. We have agreed house rules - yes when mum and dad lying in and they are in bedroom. No once we up. No at meals. No if there are better things to do. Yes after tea for 30mins if good etc

kiwiinkits I admire you but really, 10 minutes!

Mine are older and I am more relaxed, basically if i am on MN or iplayer then they are allowed on the ipad too.

Cartoon, no thankfully have been spared climbers!

Keep iPads out of sight when not in use reduces the nag-factor. My DC are still only small so they get a sticker for giving up the ipad without moaning. I also try to only use it at specific times/places which has also helped reduce the endless asking for it.

My 5 year old DD doesn't have any iPad time, I'm sure we would never hear the end of it if we did. Now she is in school we limit the TV until weekends only. She is so busy with swimming/ a couple of play dates a week/ cooking after school/ drawing/ making stuff up at the table she hasn't really noticed I don't put it on. And if it needs to go on for any reason I put a show on she watches it on demand so once it's over we just switch it off. So tempting to just leave on for aaaaages otherwise!