Video Games!! - Murrieta,CA

My son is the same age and we got the WII last year for Christmas. I had almost wished we hadn't of gotten it because I noticed a change in his behavior. So I really limit the playing time...and soon he stopped asking to play. Over the summer he hardly played at all. With the cooler weather he is playing a bit more....maybe once a week if that. Kids this age seem to get obssessed with things...I wouldn't worry too much about it. My son is that way with Star Wars stuff, but I would limit the playing.

Yes, it's normal. My Mario obsessed son is 8yrs old. My kids (also 6yr old daughter) are only allowed to play the Wii on the weekends or if they are off school for a holiday. They don't act bummed during the week anymore because they are used to the rule - they find other things to do, mostly draw (after they have finished their homework).

Sounds like my house! I have two boys... ages 8 and 11. We had to quickly establish some rules regarding video games... these apply to everyone in the house... even my husband!

No video games at all during the week. None. They have the "privilege" of playing on Fridays after school and all day on Saturdays. Sundays have been declared a "brain day"... or a non-electronics day.

If anyone misbehaves during the week... they lose the "privilege" of playing video games on Friday and Saturday.

Even with all of this in place, my boys still draw the characters in the video games and even play-act out some of the story lines while they are running around the backyard. My youngest... when he wants to take a break from playing anything... outside or inside... will hold up his hand and say "PAUSE!" I think it's funny.

I think this "obsession" type of playing is normal.

My son was sort of this way when we first got our Wi and he was that age too. Now he is almost 11 and although he will play and play and play if you let him- it is not the OBSESSION it seemed to be a couple of years ago.

Just stick to your guns with time limits and not allowing him to play everyday, etc. He will act all obsesso for a while and even complain about it and tell you how long his friends get to play, etc. but just be firm and don't change your rules.

Boys that age really like to draw cartoon characters- for some it is anime guys or superheroes, etc- for your son it is Mario! I wouldn't worry too much about that part of it. At least Mario is a fun and pretty harmless character.

As for other toys- not to be mean, but kick him outside! If my son has friends over and it is nice out, I do not hesitate to kick them outside with some lightsabers or a basketball or whatever! Video games are off limits at our house on warm sunny days. (of course this does not mean that my son didn't try to get over to his friend's house where he could play all day).

But seriously, just tell him 'Only bores are bored!' and give him 3 options for things he can go out and do or play. Either he picks one of those 3 things (and once he does and starts playing, he will have fun whether he thinks he will or not) OR he gets to help M. do chores. Pick something icky like cleaning the toilet bowl, and he will choose a board game or playing with toys or something VERY quickly!

Remember the M. phrase 'Video game time is a PRIVILEGE, not a right!!" I have said that so many times *I* was sick of hearing it, lol, but that attitude does seem to have worked.

I can relate. Your son is a very typical first grade boy. Our son also can get obsessed with video games. It sounds like you have good limits already in place, so I wouldn't attempt more.

As far as encouraging more active behavior, I've found I have to take the lead -- either schedule classes that are active or take the kids outside and play ball, etc. Kids just aren't as independent and outdoorsy as they used to be. I remember spending my childhood outside but that's just not how it is today. Just do the best you can as a parent to encourage the physical activity and a little video game time won't cause any harm.

They love these things. If you are limiting already, I would not necessarily limit further for two reasons. One it's a great thing to take away for punishment. Maybe your boy never needs to be punished, but mine do. Second, if you make if forbidden it becomes more attractive. I found my kids would go through phases with things. Usually the phase lasted about 6 months. They would move on to something else and sometimes come back to a previous activity.