xbox, how much is too much

[41sarah]

My son is 12 and would play on his xbox all day everyday. We have always restricted him and he gets 2 hours on a school day and perhaps more on a weekend. he also wants to play on games above his age. He has some 15 which my husband looked at and decided are ok but really wants 18. He claims we are ruining his life and that he gets picked on because of what we say. I feel like I am swimming against the tide with my views but believe we are correct. Just wondered what others thought

I've restricted my sons' xbox activity to 3 hours in total over the weekend and nothing during the week. Like your son, my 13 yr would be on it all day if left to his own devices. These rules may seem strict and actually during the school holidays they seem to be a lot looser but actually, it really helps. I had to make the rules partly as my two boys would fight over who should be on the flaming thing. They'd both love to be on it more but lead pretty busy lives so 3 hrs per week is plenty. And stick to your guns re the age certificates, my sons mainly play on sports games which are ok for their ages and they seem happy with them.

weekends only during term time.

Holidays whenever they want and they have been up practically all night on occasion. aged 11 and 15

ds is 13, he is allowed about an hour on a school night and maybe 2 separate hours on sat and sun.

As for all his friends get this and that and we (his parents) are ruining his life. well they all say that!

We do not allow him to watch dvds or play games and that are 15s or 18s. I don't care what other people's parents do. We have made exceptions for some older movies that we are familiar with and are confident the're ok for him i.e. Gremlins.

I think you are doing the right thing, if you let him have four hours a day he would still probably whinge.

If he is as addicted as you say, I wouldn't let him have 2 hours every school day. I would let him have 2 hours once in the week and maybe 3 hours each weekend day.

If it wasn't this, it would be something else that he would tell you that you are ruining his life with.

I'm sorry that you have an addicted DS, but I think once you get him out of the habit of playing every single day, it will be better for him, and for you. I don't think the addiction is your fault at all, btw. Some are like this. I have two DSs, elder one is not addicted, will not play for weeks/months and then will play a whole day and I don't mind that. DS2 used to be a bit addicted, but luckily has grown out of that. He's 13, like your DS. Doesn't really play in the week, but if he gets a new game, as he has last weekend, then he can play a bit more in the week, but now otw he only plays sometimes at the weekends as he's usually out doing stuff.

Does your DS do any activities? Football/cadets/scouts? If not, I would really get him involved in something so he wouldn't have enough time to play so much XBox.