Is having computer at home essential ?

[HelloDolly]

I'm not keen on them playing computer games but I have some Spanish CD roms i'd like to start using and wondered if one naturally led to the other ?
Are you able to discipline the children's computer time even if you can't discipline yourself

I guess you could say to them - if you do all your research/homework/educational stuuf first then you can play a game but limit it to 15 mins or something?

only for me

have got the kiddies one now tho as I was being too greedy with my time here

they don't have internet tho, so they don't spend hours there...only as long as they need:). might change as the boys get older tho. (the girls are more interested in MY make-upgrrrrr)

How old are your children HelloDolly?
My boys are 7 and 8, and so far we've had no problems disciplining their computer time. It is very much a privilege - and it can be removed as a punishment.

We control what sites they have access to, and also their time allowed. They didn't use the computer at all until they were 5.
DS1 is allowed 30 mins per day max school days, 60 mins at weekend. Usually uses this most days now.
DS2 is allowed 30 mins - often doesn't use PC at all.

DD doesn't really bother too much with it. DS likes CBeebies, I think its educational so I don't limit their time but they are only 6 and 4 but may do as they get older.

HelloDolly, if you can't discipline yourself, you'll be on here all the time and your sons will not have the chance to waste their time playing computer games, surely?

Seriously, I don't see why Spanish CD ROMS should naturally lead to computer games. roisin's suggestion about limiting computer time seems reasonable. However, some computer games can be educational - for example, you might find some games on the Internet to help your children learn Spanish.

Whoops! I've just realised I assumed your children were boys, HelloDolly - sorry if that's wrong!

You can get KIOSK software.
BAsically configures amachine only to do certain task.
Like play Spanish CDs.

Or if you want to save some cash and do it yourself you can set up profile for them yourself that allows them only to do certainthings. Policy Editor is good for locking down cettain things.

Or replace the shell so they dont get near the desktop and cant add their own programmes.

Lots of ways round them playing games

Not all computer games are bad. DS learned loads about ancient and medieval history from computer games like Age of Empires. The internet is a fabulous resource for homework. DD has been "writing books" and party invitations using Word since age 5. However they both object to anything overtly educational.

Modern versions of Windows allow you to create a login that stops them using any s/w you don't approve of.

We've got into using Google Talk as a way of improving DS's abioltiy to generate sentences and spell words. During the summer hols we hope to get a few kids from his class chatting online this way.

The NASA site has some good educational stuff too.