My Son Can't Get Enough of Electronics

My son also, I stopped buying on demand, and now buy only when he appreciates and not when he thinks I should buy for him.

I think males are "wired" for it. Every guy I have ever known has been enthralled by electronics and gadgets. You might just have to let this one be. Although if it is becoming detremental to his health then it is time that he gets an active hobby like martial arts or something.

As a parent, I believe we are the opportunity makers. It's our job to make sure they have balanced lives. Even though school is out, learning doesn't need to stop. Kids learn through play, so you're right to get him outside.

My advice is to unplug and say no. Offer a limited time at the end of the day....after reading, playing outside, sharing with a sibling or a friends, inventing something, destroying something, constructing something, hitting a few balls, chasing, and a chore or two.

My child is unplugged until many things are done: bed made and room cleaned up, reading done, practiced math facts, attended her activities (camp, swim lessons, art class, etc.), and set the table for dinner, which she can do that anytime after lunch. She's 6, going on 7, and gets it. No plug until it's done.

She may listen to music or sing all she desires (as long as it's not plugged into her ears...no iPod), while she does her chores, but that's it for being plugged in. Her plug in can be TV, computer, or Leapster for limited time. Once she's used it, it's over.

Stephanie

I don't believe that the electronics in itself is bad...but all things in moderation. When my children were growing up, we had a rule.."no TV, videos, video games(hand held included) during the week (with a few exceptions). Instead, the kids played games, skated, built forts, laid on the grass and watched the clouds go by, and brushed and played with the dog. They learned to enjoy reading, making up stories, doing crafts and cooking. My son took things apart and put them back together learning how things worked. At first you will really have to stick to your guns but it will be worth it. Good luck!

He has the boys cant get enough toys gene. You can just not buy them for him and request that of family and friends as well making it necessary to work harder to be able to purchase them himself.

Long ago, before I was married or had kids, I remember playing the Sims game one afternoon and before I knew it I had spent the entire day doing it. I know that the games can really suck time without the player realizing it. As parents, our job is to teach kids moderation and that requires the parent to set limits and monitor them. Personally my daughters do not play games for a variety of reasons: because they aren't that interested, we have a Mac and there are fewer games available, and I don't want to monitor this behavior. Good-luck!

Hi K.,
I'm not sure I understand what you mean when you state "your son can't get enough of eletronics?" Does he play video games, take things apart, built things, invent things???? If you mean that he takes apart and builds etc I congratulate you. A friend of one of my sons, now aged 27 yrs. used to build robots in his back yard. He now holds a Ph.D. in physiscs and is well respected. Other boys I now built radios etc from spare parts and have gone on to become electronic engineers and computer experts. I mean Bill Gates tinkered with electronics in his garage and see what happend in his life!
Keep on enjoying your life, S.

You are the parent - tell him NO! Take them away, redirect his free time, get him involved in something else.

Does he also tell you what time he is going to bed or what tv shows he is allowed to watch or what chores he wants to do or which homework he wants to do? Who is the parent here?

If he is ruling the roost at 10, you are in big trouble for the teenage years.

Get control now - it is not too late but it will take work.

Good Luck!

Get conytol of your child and let him know who is the parent and who is in control. You can do it

Hi K.!

Yea, this is a pretty common problem, huh? I know I struggle with it, as well.

My new "rule" was established over "Winter Break" when I COULD NOT STAND seeing him play anymore computer games! I know he was "bored", but it was getting out of hand!

I said (out of frustration), "For every minute you play on the computer, is the amount of time you have to read a book". You wouldn't believe the look on his face :o)

I think he thought I was kidding, and actually I think I was at first. But I went into his room, and pulled out a BIG book that he had, but never read. Now, he is expected to read BEFORE playing, because playing on the computer is an "earned" thing.

He has a new book for summer. There was no argument over it either :o) He knows that he has to "convince me" to let him play on the computer whenever he wants. So, in return, I get like 2-2 1/2 hours of reading out of him everyday!

Oh yeah....I didn't use this "rule" for EVERY electronic toy in the house, only the one that was/is still causing...... lack of activity.....

You might want to try that :o)

Good Luck!

Love, N.

Our neighbors across the street have a 12 year-old boy who had the same issue. He knows he is not allowed to play with video games and the like on weekdays and that he has time limits for how much he can play on weekends. If you try to get him to stop completely, he'll probably seek friends who have those items and play at their houses. That's what I did with items my mom refused to have in the house. So, my advice is to put limits in place, enforce the rules, provide and encourage alternatives (our neighbors have a basketball hoop and their son also plays trumpet and skateboards), and do not completely forbid electronics. There is such a thing as being addicted to video games, so if you think that is the case, you might want to talk to his pediatrician.

I know somebody that keeps all the electronics in the family room. No TV's, video games, computers, etc. are allowed in the bedrooms. Then she allows 30 or 60 minutes of "screen time" a day. And it's a privilege, so as long as her kids have earned their "screen time" they can choose to spend their 60 minutes however they want. When the timer goes off so does the screen.

Although there hasn't been many studies on video games/electronics as an addiction, they are an addiction. You'd probably prefer he'd use his 10 year old brain for something a little less mind numbing.

Good luck. Be sure to keep us posted on any suggestions that work for you...I think loads of people have this problem.

I limit my son to 1 hour a day. I bought a book from Sam's Club that is a workbook for 6th grade (math problems, language arts pages etc.) He can earn a half hour more by doing 4 pages in the book. It usually takes him at least a half hour to do those pages. He usually doesn't try to earn more than an extra half hour. He's learning, he's taking a break from the electronics and he's in charge of earning more time. I have to check the pages and I initial and date them so he can't show me the same page twice. Also if he goes to grandma's house she does the same thing.

What I do is a time limit. One hour for games on the computer, and two hours for learning games. As for the TV, three hours tops per session, unless we are having family movie night or something. Then for video games, two hours tops. During school time, homework has to be completed before any electronic games or TV watching. Summertime is pretty much "fair game", as long as he reads for thirty minutes and gets some practice done with subjects that he is struggling in during the week days.

My son is now seven, I have been doing this with my son since he was five. Now he just automatically stops playing on the computer, video games, or stops watching his TV shows when he knows his "time is up". Then he moves to other things such as playing outside, playing with his toys, reading a book, or calling up is friends (we have a limit on the phone too). Playing on the computer is not so bad, but there is eyestrain, and posture is important too, so if that is a concern, here is a website that might help there:

http://www.fitness-programs-for-life.com/computer-posture...

I still remind my son about sitting correctly while he is on the computer, but he is doing better! ^.^

Good luck!

M. *~

Set limits. Give him min- hours and only on certain days. Having to be constantly stimulated is not good. Encourage book reading and quiet activity time. Take him back to the basics, it will benifit him greatly though he may fight it, some day he will thank you. Try getting him involved in music lessons of choice.

If you are having troubles later with him sneaking when he is supposed to, take away all of the controllers, the mouse, and keyboard. I used to put mine in a bin and take them to work. My kids checked them out with me by showing that their homework was done. You can't play a system without a way to control it. I also threw the handhelds (DS, PSP, etc.) into the bin.

I hope this helps you and others.

Hi K.,

I am assuming that by electronics you mean video games or computer games? Set a time limit, use a timer if you need to. Or make a deal, such as if he cleans his room he can have 30 minutes, depending on what you have him do adjust the time accordingly, have him earn the time to play. With my guys they weren't allowed to play the playstation etc.. during the week while in school.

K., who is looking after your kids when you are working? If they are in after-school care there should not be any electronic games there. If they are being tended by a relative or babysitter at home, you should have clear instructions about what they are allowed to do. At age 10, I'm pretty sure your son has some homework to do every day. Now that it's summer, your kids should have some fresh air activity EVERY day. I would set a time limit for computer use, and make it a reward, and NOT an entitlement! If your son hasn't read,played outside,helped you in some way around the house or garden, then he does not get his game time! It's really quite simple. Good luck - set limits, or you'll be saddled with a zombie teenager who does nothing else but sit in front of the computer. What about learning to play chess, or doing a woodworking project with your husband? Boys love tools and building things.

Your post if pretty vague. When you say "electronics" what are you talking about. video games? computers? Everything these days is electronic and every business uses electronics so unless you're talking video games, I don't see the harm. If he's figuring out how to navigate around the web (as long as you monitor where he's going) or learning how to operate some other electronic device, it seems educational to me. If we are talking video games, that simple. Either take it away completely or give him specific times that he is allowed to play. Also, if you're worried that he's not getting enough outside exercise time, assign a specific time each day that he must be outside playing. They never seem to get tired of those games - it's up to us to make sure there is some balance.

We put a time limit on how long the kids can watch t.v., play on the computer or play video games. I really encourage playing outside. I am very old fashion and love it when kids can use there imaginations.

Who is buying these items for him? Whomever it is needs to stop doing so until your son can learn how to use them responsibly. And the ones he does have need to come with limits. Set them now. Take them away if he doesn't comply. You're the parent. Better late than never to set rules/expectations and to follow through. This ultimately teaches him to respect you. Please be firm and consistent. Things will only get worse as he gets into his teem years if you don't set boundaries now.

Dear K.,
I have a son who is 12 and loves electronics as well.
My friend's son would never even eat or know the rest of the world exists if she didn't limit his time.
Time limits are the key. Not only that, but what worked with my son and I'm helping her with hers, is that games, videos, etc are fine....but they have to be educational.
For instance, if you let your kid have 30 minutes a day of games, every other day, they can have 1 hour of educational stuff. If they fuss, then, the 30 minutes of play is replaced by 30 minutes of educational games or videos/dvd's. If they still fuss....then nothing for a week, including regular television. Electronics are a privilege, not a right. I suggest you find some great things that are interactive and educational and/or calming as well. My son has a fishing game for his PS2. His friends hate it! There is no shooting or flames or loud noises. It's like "virtual fishing". And my son loves to fish. You can choose to be at the river or on the ocean, choose your rod, reel and line, etc. It's like sitting on the dock of the bay if you can't get to the dock of the bay and it has very soothing unerwater sounds. There are so many educational things you can get for the computer or Playstations nowadays. My son loves doing puzzles on the computer. It makes him think. And, he thinks he's playing.
Their are lots of great, free sites for that kind of thing. Brain games as well.
You just need to shuffle his times with how he spends his electronic activity and get him outdoors as much as possible! It's summer...so take advantage of it. Picnics in the back yard or walks in the park. Family board game night is another way to get playing in that doesn't involve watching a screen of any kind. Doing that at least one night a week and having fun snacks is really great for the entire family!

If you figure it out, can you let me know?

FYI, I've been fighting the electronic battle for a decade, and I haven't won. If it makes you feel any better all of the guys in my son's dorm at college play video and computer games, and that seems to be all they do. Once in a while they study. Gaming and the internet has replaced drinking, drugs, sex and parties as far as I can tell. So maybe that's a good thing???

Hi-
My son is also 10 and LOVES all things electronic. During the summer months, he has a 3 hour limit every day for electronics. That includes TV, video games, etc. We will probably be changing this to a 2 hour limit. We want him OUTSIDE playing or inside reading or drawing.
Hope this helps a little.
~B. from Sacramento

What if it leads to a great career that he loves? Is there something you absolutely love, or loved as a child that you didn't get to do because someone judged you? Seems to be a reflection that reminds you of something. Please be patient with him and yourself. Please consider this an opportunity to do some soul searching and I wish you the best wisdom to come from this challenge.

Love, L.

At 10 years of age, your son is developing his own personality and interests. Be glad that he has found a passion! Our children are blessings that don't often fill our exact expectations, but each one is a "perfect" miracle! However, too much of any one thing can leave a child out of balance. Why not set time limits (with a timer) when your son can play with electronics after he's finished his homework? You might actually want to encourage him to pursue his interest with a beginners electrical "laboratory" kit. Best wishes.

I'm pretty sure that is normal, and cannot be stopped. It might help if you do not buy him anymore and make him save his own money. If he already has a playstation, refuse to buy the wii for example. Good luck! I'm sure you know men who are into every gadget... looks like he's a little one of those. : ) C.

If you mean that he plays too many video games. Limit access to weekends only for 1 hour.

My kids know - If the sun is out (cloudy or not) YOU are outside! So, my youngest asks, is it night time yet? HA!

Use the kitchen timer. If they don't stop the game to turn off the timer, quietly take the videos away - and return only a few at a time when he has shown responsibility.

Works for us. And really - no fuss. They haven't played any video games for weeks! They go into little phases and out of them in our house.

Mom of 1 girl, 2 boys, and a baby due in October.