Gorgeous weather, DS only intersted in PS2 and computer agh!

[Mumofagun]

What the hell do you do apart from pull the plug out and ban them TV, PS2, bloody computer based games etc. Anyone else falling foul of Club Penguin?! DS is 8. His mate was round. In the last few days with such lovely weather I have suggested bike rides, filled up a bing dinghy in the garden with water, told them they could plant plants (ok maybe boring), etc etc.. We do not live in an area where it is unsafe, it's quite urbany / rural, and they can roam about to an extent. What do I do, cos I feel like banning everything!!

Sounds like a plan mumofagun ...not that I ever mn outside

my DS2 lives by the computer. He has LF autism and spends about 6hours on the thing a day watching youtube videos over and over again this is his favourite which he watches at least 100 times a day He can relay the 'soundtrack' to it spot on.

When he is not on it DS1 is on club penguin - fotunately DS1 is an outdoorsy boy and hates tv but DS2 would stay on it day and night if we let him (although it does give us a break and he can manipulate it all really well)

Janeite I think you are talking sense. We live in a world where these things are sort of the norm now but as you said, the regulation about the amount of use is down to us as parents. I know I have fallen into the trap that I never did when DS was small, i.e using the TV as a babysitter. It never happened. However, whilst I know what is too much, sometimes I honestly haven't got the alternative. Circumstances often dictate, that I can't give DS the attention that I possibly should, although I want him to be independant of me and my ideas. I do believe a kid has to be bored sometimes to get creative. On the other hand.......... i have to put up (alone) with the "I'm bored, there's nothing to do.." and I cave in!

Stillenacht, great video! Does DS2 like doing the real thing? I have no experience of autism whatsoever. What would happen if you started to limit DS2's time on the computer?

Ooh, the posts are going all funny?

No the're not, I didn't flip. Ignore me.

hi mumofagun he loves the real thing and flaps (waves arms about madly as he is excited) whenever we go to Legoland etc...prob is he can't stand waiting for the ride to start. We are lucky that we get on before anyone else but even then he goes mad (tantrums etc and it becomes very stressful) as we wait for everyone else to get on ride. he absolutely loves them - many children with autism love these types of rides (and many don't too).

I could limit his time but he has learnt so much language from it (he was totally non verbal until he was 3-working age of 9 months - and now at 5.9years he is about working age of 22months) and he really enjoys it (there is not much he does enjoy - he can't play in the normal sense of the word - still plays with lights and sounds toys meant for babies). His average day is flittering between the computer, 'playing' (eyes down on the floor watching the trains obsessively)with his Thomas the Tank engine set up, and squealing over In the Night Garden.

Well today - DS1/DS2 (7/6) had:

45 min on Wii
1 hour in garden on water slide
45 min on Wii - played with him for a while
45 in garden on water slide
30 min on Wii
LUNCH with grandparents (2pm)
1 hour in garden on water slide
Watched Wipeout USA
Bath
Books / Bed

That for me is a successful today! DS1 is the computer addict, DS2 really can leave them alone. It was the first time that I have approached it like that - with you can do what you want but you need to have a break after 45 min/ 1 hour.

Stillenacht, I believe that these things do also provide certain skills for individuals and it's obvious in your case that it is a real tool in your toolbox, so fantastic that it has brought your DS along so well. Speech, hand/ey co-ordination etc. BTW, who sits at the front and gets wet first!!

Cat, you're right, it's a daily negotiating thing. Must stop. Cos I don't get him straight from school our evenings are shorter, hence I get the: "what, but I've just got in, you mean I'm going to bed now, you mean I can't......." cos times between me getting him afer work and bed are quite limited, and within that time he has to fit in, 1) homework, 2) food 3) Vision Therapy (on the computer which he hates!!), 4) chill out time 5) bed time 6) Cubs / swimming etc!!!! and..... it's Sooooo unfair if he cant't go on Bloody Club Penguin!!!!

Right, going off to bed now, realise I have to be a bit firmer I think. I've let things slip for his convenience and mine! I need to get myself back on track and start setting the firmer boundaries that were once there. He never had any complaints till I let the boundaries slip I think. I won't be draconian, I like to see him and his friends play but I just feel this bloody IT stuff is taking over our lives and I don't necessarily think it's a good thing for an 8 yr old. Be firmer (on I am about to get the backlsh from DS!!) Yet another parenting woe!! See how it goes......Thank you all. If I end up advertising IT stuff on Ebay I'll let you know!

night mumofagun ...tbh i was bemoaning how much time DS2 spends on puter today to DH and am kind of glad its also the case with NT children (as DS1 not that fussed i thought it was DS2s autism which attracted him to it)..perhaps its a boy thing