screen time
L. Amphay
Hello,
I'm new to unschooling basics, and I haven't read the archives. I'm lucy, and I live in Texas with my husband, and four kids. I would say we are extremely relaxed, but leaning toward unschooling more, and more.
For the past month I've given up restricting electronics. Two of my kids ( 12, 8 boys) literally go from the computer, to the ps 2, to the t.v., constantly rotating. Today a neighborhood friend came down, and asked my 12 yo to play, and he refused saying he was busy. The weather is wonderful for playing outdoors-- soon it will be way too hot!! I had a problem with him saying no because of the nice weather (although I didn't say so), sitting still most of the day, and he has the freedom to play all the time!! I've heard differing arguments about the restriction of electronics:
1) They will eventually fill up on them, and will take breaks...or slow way down. If the type of games were limited I could see this, but we have many games, and they all play runescape online...which is very involved, and the interesting stuff on it never ending, and they are always adding new "quests" to the game. Cable TV also provides endless "new" watching opportunities. Right now they don't care to go outside, and explore. If the teenish age kids did this I would think it was part of the phase, but the eight year old???
2) The other side of things: If you limit the electronics they will be forced (yikes--not a good word) to find other things to do. They do find other, very interesting things to do, build, and play--but that sometimes also includes begging for more game time.
I'm trying to decide how to handle this issue, how to document, how to answer the question from a neighbor who I am friendly with (and she is a teacher), "Are they getting their work done?" They knew about my not restricting electronics, and wanted to know how it was going...hence the question.
Another concern is my kids have been interested in a few things, but not with the passion I hear about from other unschooled kids. One son was interested in dinosaurs (passionately) for 5 years--all sorts of neat things came from that experience. One son is interested in wars, and there have been other things along the way, but not as many as I would really like to see, and NONE from my eight year old.
I'm looking forward to reading all the posts, and exploring the archives. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.
Lucy
Lucy
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I'm new to unschooling basics, and I haven't read the archives. I'm lucy, and I live in Texas with my husband, and four kids. I would say we are extremely relaxed, but leaning toward unschooling more, and more.
For the past month I've given up restricting electronics. Two of my kids ( 12, 8 boys) literally go from the computer, to the ps 2, to the t.v., constantly rotating. Today a neighborhood friend came down, and asked my 12 yo to play, and he refused saying he was busy. The weather is wonderful for playing outdoors-- soon it will be way too hot!! I had a problem with him saying no because of the nice weather (although I didn't say so), sitting still most of the day, and he has the freedom to play all the time!! I've heard differing arguments about the restriction of electronics:
1) They will eventually fill up on them, and will take breaks...or slow way down. If the type of games were limited I could see this, but we have many games, and they all play runescape online...which is very involved, and the interesting stuff on it never ending, and they are always adding new "quests" to the game. Cable TV also provides endless "new" watching opportunities. Right now they don't care to go outside, and explore. If the teenish age kids did this I would think it was part of the phase, but the eight year old???
2) The other side of things: If you limit the electronics they will be forced (yikes--not a good word) to find other things to do. They do find other, very interesting things to do, build, and play--but that sometimes also includes begging for more game time.
I'm trying to decide how to handle this issue, how to document, how to answer the question from a neighbor who I am friendly with (and she is a teacher), "Are they getting their work done?" They knew about my not restricting electronics, and wanted to know how it was going...hence the question.
Another concern is my kids have been interested in a few things, but not with the passion I hear about from other unschooled kids. One son was interested in dinosaurs (passionately) for 5 years--all sorts of neat things came from that experience. One son is interested in wars, and there have been other things along the way, but not as many as I would really like to see, and NONE from my eight year old.
I'm looking forward to reading all the posts, and exploring the archives. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.
Lucy
Lucy
---------------------------------
How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messengers low PC-to-Phone call rates.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joanne
Hi Lucy...welcome!
You said that you just gave up restrictions on electronics a month
ago. Maybe they're getting their fill right now. Maybe they just
really, really enjoy gaming.
One of the best pieces of advice I picked up from these lists is to
be there, right along side your kids when they're doing something.
Hang out with them while they're playing. Grab a control and play
also. The three of you can go online and look for gaming sites and
cheat codes for their favorite games.
Also, I curious...where do you live that it'll be to hot soon to go
outside. We live in Florida and my kids play outside in the morning
and evening in the summer because it's just to hot in the afternoon.
Maybe you can also think up some fun things to do out of the house-
take them to a park or a hiking trail or go bike riding with
them,,,maybe you can even invite their friend.
As for answered questions from your teacher-neighbor-friend....for
right now, I'd say as little as possible until you are more secure
with what you're doing. That's what worked for me. I have to get
things all right in my own head before I can talk to people about it
(not my husband-just other people). How about handing her an
unschooling book...maybe one of John Holts which she may enjoy ebing
she's a teacher. Or maybe direct her to a website. When she asks a
question, you could say something like "I like that you're
interested in learning more...here's some information I picked up
for you."
Well, I hoped some of this helps. I'm on the journey also amd
reading the archives helped me a great deal.
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
http://foreverparents.com
--- In [email protected], "L. Amphay" <l_amphay@...>
wrote:
would say we are extremely relaxed, but leaning toward unschooling
more, and more.
to the t.v., constantly rotating. Today a neighborhood friend came
down, and asked my 12 yo to play, and he refused saying he was
busy. The weather is wonderful for playing outdoors-- soon it will
be way too hot!! I had a problem with him saying no because of the
nice weather (although I didn't say so), sitting still most of the
day, and he has the freedom to play all the time!! I've heard
differing arguments about the restriction of electronics:
could see this, but we have many games, and they all play runescape
online...which is very involved, and the interesting stuff on it
never ending, and they are always adding new "quests" to the game.
Cable TV also provides endless "new" watching opportunities. Right
now they don't care to go outside, and explore. If the teenish age
kids did this I would think it was part of the phase, but the eight
year old???
do. They do find other, very interesting things to do, build, and
play--but that sometimes also includes begging for more game time.
(and she is a teacher), "Are they getting their work done?" They
knew about my not restricting electronics, and wanted to know how it
was going...hence the question.
One son was interested in dinosaurs (passionately) for 5 years--all
sorts of neat things came from that experience. One son is
interested in wars, and there have been other things along the way,
but not as many as I would really like to see, and NONE from my
eight year old.
You said that you just gave up restrictions on electronics a month
ago. Maybe they're getting their fill right now. Maybe they just
really, really enjoy gaming.
One of the best pieces of advice I picked up from these lists is to
be there, right along side your kids when they're doing something.
Hang out with them while they're playing. Grab a control and play
also. The three of you can go online and look for gaming sites and
cheat codes for their favorite games.
Also, I curious...where do you live that it'll be to hot soon to go
outside. We live in Florida and my kids play outside in the morning
and evening in the summer because it's just to hot in the afternoon.
Maybe you can also think up some fun things to do out of the house-
take them to a park or a hiking trail or go bike riding with
them,,,maybe you can even invite their friend.
As for answered questions from your teacher-neighbor-friend....for
right now, I'd say as little as possible until you are more secure
with what you're doing. That's what worked for me. I have to get
things all right in my own head before I can talk to people about it
(not my husband-just other people). How about handing her an
unschooling book...maybe one of John Holts which she may enjoy ebing
she's a teacher. Or maybe direct her to a website. When she asks a
question, you could say something like "I like that you're
interested in learning more...here's some information I picked up
for you."
Well, I hoped some of this helps. I'm on the journey also amd
reading the archives helped me a great deal.
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
http://foreverparents.com
--- In [email protected], "L. Amphay" <l_amphay@...>
wrote:
>I'm lucy, and I live in Texas with my husband, and four kids. I
> Hello,
>
> I'm new to unschooling basics, and I haven't read the archives.
would say we are extremely relaxed, but leaning toward unschooling
more, and more.
>my kids ( 12, 8 boys) literally go from the computer, to the ps 2,
> For the past month I've given up restricting electronics. Two of
to the t.v., constantly rotating. Today a neighborhood friend came
down, and asked my 12 yo to play, and he refused saying he was
busy. The weather is wonderful for playing outdoors-- soon it will
be way too hot!! I had a problem with him saying no because of the
nice weather (although I didn't say so), sitting still most of the
day, and he has the freedom to play all the time!! I've heard
differing arguments about the restriction of electronics:
>breaks...or slow way down. If the type of games were limited I
> 1) They will eventually fill up on them, and will take
could see this, but we have many games, and they all play runescape
online...which is very involved, and the interesting stuff on it
never ending, and they are always adding new "quests" to the game.
Cable TV also provides endless "new" watching opportunities. Right
now they don't care to go outside, and explore. If the teenish age
kids did this I would think it was part of the phase, but the eight
year old???
>will be forced (yikes--not a good word) to find other things to
> 2) The other side of things: If you limit the electronics they
do. They do find other, very interesting things to do, build, and
play--but that sometimes also includes begging for more game time.
>how to answer the question from a neighbor who I am friendly with
> I'm trying to decide how to handle this issue, how to document,
(and she is a teacher), "Are they getting their work done?" They
knew about my not restricting electronics, and wanted to know how it
was going...hence the question.
>but not with the passion I hear about from other unschooled kids.
> Another concern is my kids have been interested in a few things,
One son was interested in dinosaurs (passionately) for 5 years--all
sorts of neat things came from that experience. One son is
interested in wars, and there have been other things along the way,
but not as many as I would really like to see, and NONE from my
eight year old.
>archives. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.
> I'm looking forward to reading all the posts, and exploring the
>call rates.
> Lucy
>
>
> Lucy
>
> ---------------------------------
> How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
L. Amphay
Joanne,
Thank-you for your thoughtful response! I'll have to find a book, or article to have handy for her. We live in Texas--the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
Lucy
Joanne <billyandjoanne@...> wrote: Hi Lucy...welcome!
You said that you just gave up restrictions on electronics a month
ago. Maybe they're getting their fill right now. Maybe they just
really, really enjoy gaming.
One of the best pieces of advice I picked up from these lists is to
be there, right along side your kids when they're doing something.
Hang out with them while they're playing. Grab a control and play
also. The three of you can go online and look for gaming sites and
cheat codes for their favorite games.
Also, I curious...where do you live that it'll be to hot soon to go
outside. We live in Florida and my kids play outside in the morning
and evening in the summer because it's just to hot in the afternoon.
Maybe you can also think up some fun things to do out of the house-
take them to a park or a hiking trail or go bike riding with
them,,,maybe you can even invite their friend.
As for answered questions from your teacher-neighbor-friend....for
right now, I'd say as little as possible until you are more secure
with what you're doing. That's what worked for me. I have to get
things all right in my own head before I can talk to people about it
(not my husband-just other people). How about handing her an
unschooling book...maybe one of John Holts which she may enjoy ebing
she's a teacher. Or maybe direct her to a website. When she asks a
question, you could say something like "I like that you're
interested in learning more...here's some information I picked up
for you."
Well, I hoped some of this helps. I'm on the journey also amd
reading the archives helped me a great deal.
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
http://foreverparents.com
--- In [email protected], "L. Amphay" <l_amphay@...>
wrote:
would say we are extremely relaxed, but leaning toward unschooling
more, and more.
to the t.v., constantly rotating. Today a neighborhood friend came
down, and asked my 12 yo to play, and he refused saying he was
busy. The weather is wonderful for playing outdoors-- soon it will
be way too hot!! I had a problem with him saying no because of the
nice weather (although I didn't say so), sitting still most of the
day, and he has the freedom to play all the time!! I've heard
differing arguments about the restriction of electronics:
could see this, but we have many games, and they all play runescape
online...which is very involved, and the interesting stuff on it
never ending, and they are always adding new "quests" to the game.
Cable TV also provides endless "new" watching opportunities. Right
now they don't care to go outside, and explore. If the teenish age
kids did this I would think it was part of the phase, but the eight
year old???
do. They do find other, very interesting things to do, build, and
play--but that sometimes also includes begging for more game time.
(and she is a teacher), "Are they getting their work done?" They
knew about my not restricting electronics, and wanted to know how it
was going...hence the question.
One son was interested in dinosaurs (passionately) for 5 years--all
sorts of neat things came from that experience. One son is
interested in wars, and there have been other things along the way,
but not as many as I would really like to see, and NONE from my
eight year old.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Thank-you for your thoughtful response! I'll have to find a book, or article to have handy for her. We live in Texas--the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
Lucy
Joanne <billyandjoanne@...> wrote: Hi Lucy...welcome!
You said that you just gave up restrictions on electronics a month
ago. Maybe they're getting their fill right now. Maybe they just
really, really enjoy gaming.
One of the best pieces of advice I picked up from these lists is to
be there, right along side your kids when they're doing something.
Hang out with them while they're playing. Grab a control and play
also. The three of you can go online and look for gaming sites and
cheat codes for their favorite games.
Also, I curious...where do you live that it'll be to hot soon to go
outside. We live in Florida and my kids play outside in the morning
and evening in the summer because it's just to hot in the afternoon.
Maybe you can also think up some fun things to do out of the house-
take them to a park or a hiking trail or go bike riding with
them,,,maybe you can even invite their friend.
As for answered questions from your teacher-neighbor-friend....for
right now, I'd say as little as possible until you are more secure
with what you're doing. That's what worked for me. I have to get
things all right in my own head before I can talk to people about it
(not my husband-just other people). How about handing her an
unschooling book...maybe one of John Holts which she may enjoy ebing
she's a teacher. Or maybe direct her to a website. When she asks a
question, you could say something like "I like that you're
interested in learning more...here's some information I picked up
for you."
Well, I hoped some of this helps. I'm on the journey also amd
reading the archives helped me a great deal.
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
http://foreverparents.com
--- In [email protected], "L. Amphay" <l_amphay@...>
wrote:
>I'm lucy, and I live in Texas with my husband, and four kids. I
> Hello,
>
> I'm new to unschooling basics, and I haven't read the archives.
would say we are extremely relaxed, but leaning toward unschooling
more, and more.
>my kids ( 12, 8 boys) literally go from the computer, to the ps 2,
> For the past month I've given up restricting electronics. Two of
to the t.v., constantly rotating. Today a neighborhood friend came
down, and asked my 12 yo to play, and he refused saying he was
busy. The weather is wonderful for playing outdoors-- soon it will
be way too hot!! I had a problem with him saying no because of the
nice weather (although I didn't say so), sitting still most of the
day, and he has the freedom to play all the time!! I've heard
differing arguments about the restriction of electronics:
>breaks...or slow way down. If the type of games were limited I
> 1) They will eventually fill up on them, and will take
could see this, but we have many games, and they all play runescape
online...which is very involved, and the interesting stuff on it
never ending, and they are always adding new "quests" to the game.
Cable TV also provides endless "new" watching opportunities. Right
now they don't care to go outside, and explore. If the teenish age
kids did this I would think it was part of the phase, but the eight
year old???
>will be forced (yikes--not a good word) to find other things to
> 2) The other side of things: If you limit the electronics they
do. They do find other, very interesting things to do, build, and
play--but that sometimes also includes begging for more game time.
>how to answer the question from a neighbor who I am friendly with
> I'm trying to decide how to handle this issue, how to document,
(and she is a teacher), "Are they getting their work done?" They
knew about my not restricting electronics, and wanted to know how it
was going...hence the question.
>but not with the passion I hear about from other unschooled kids.
> Another concern is my kids have been interested in a few things,
One son was interested in dinosaurs (passionately) for 5 years--all
sorts of neat things came from that experience. One son is
interested in wars, and there have been other things along the way,
but not as many as I would really like to see, and NONE from my
eight year old.
>archives. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.
> I'm looking forward to reading all the posts, and exploring the
>call rates.
> Lucy
>
>
> Lucy
>
> ---------------------------------
> How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone
>---------------------------------
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joyce Fetteroll
On Apr 10, 2006, at 11:46 PM, L. Amphay wrote:
this freedom is only temporary and they need to pack in as much as
they can before the restrictions return.
If someone would only let you have a small square of chocolate once a
week, how would you react to being let loose in a room full of free
chocolate? If you feared the restrictions would return, would you
limit yourself to a "reasonable" amount of chocolate?
A month of unrestricted play isn't enough. They need to gain
confidence that they can walk away and still be able to play when the
come back. They need to make up for the time when they couldn't play.
what will it mean?
watch.
Make sure they have other opportunities. Don't try offering when
they're in the middle of a game ;-) Try discussing at the beginning
of the week or the day before of places to go and making a plan.
Right now it may be unreasonable to expect them to want to do other
things. But in a few months they will want to do other things. They
stop one game to play another or watch TV, so new quests are not
keeping them glued there ;-) Gaming might always be a big interest
but they're already showing you that they do have other interests.
It's just that they're busy exploring the things that were previously
limited.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Two of my kids ( 12, 8 boys) literally go from the computer, to theRight now, part of what they're doing is hoarding because they fear
> ps 2, to the t.v., constantly rotating.
this freedom is only temporary and they need to pack in as much as
they can before the restrictions return.
If someone would only let you have a small square of chocolate once a
week, how would you react to being let loose in a room full of free
chocolate? If you feared the restrictions would return, would you
limit yourself to a "reasonable" amount of chocolate?
A month of unrestricted play isn't enough. They need to gain
confidence that they can walk away and still be able to play when the
come back. They need to make up for the time when they couldn't play.
> Today a neighborhood friend came down, and asked my 12 yo to play,30 years in the future, if they miss one spring of playing outdoors,
> and he refused saying he was busy. The weather is wonderful for
> playing outdoors-- soon it will be way too hot!!
what will it mean?
> we have many games, and they all play runescape online...which isAs Joanne suggested, being with them will help while they play and
> very involved, and the interesting stuff on it never ending, and
> they are always adding new "quests" to the game. Cable TV also
> provides endless "new" watching opportunities.
watch.
Make sure they have other opportunities. Don't try offering when
they're in the middle of a game ;-) Try discussing at the beginning
of the week or the day before of places to go and making a plan.
Right now it may be unreasonable to expect them to want to do other
things. But in a few months they will want to do other things. They
stop one game to play another or watch TV, so new quests are not
keeping them glued there ;-) Gaming might always be a big interest
but they're already showing you that they do have other interests.
It's just that they're busy exploring the things that were previously
limited.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
L. Amphay
Joyce,
Thank-you for your response, it really helped me alot!!
Lucy
Joyce Fetteroll <fetteroll@...> wrote:
Thank-you for your response, it really helped me alot!!
Lucy
Joyce Fetteroll <fetteroll@...> wrote:
On Apr 10, 2006, at 11:46 PM, L. Amphay wrote:
> Two of my kids ( 12, 8 boys) literally go from the computer, to the
> ps 2, to the t.v., constantly rotating.
Right now, part of what they're doing is hoarding because they fear
this freedom is only temporary and they need to pack in as much as
they can before the restrictions return.
If someone would only let you have a small square of chocolate once a
week, how would you react to being let loose in a room full of free
chocolate? If you feared the restrictions would return, would you
limit yourself to a "reasonable" amount of chocolate?
A month of unrestricted play isn't enough. They need to gain
confidence that they can walk away and still be able to play when the
come back. They need to make up for the time when they couldn't play.
> Today a neighborhood friend came down, and asked my 12 yo to play,
> and he refused saying he was busy. The weather is wonderful for
> playing outdoors-- soon it will be way too hot!!
30 years in the future, if they miss one spring of playing outdoors,
what will it mean?
> we have many games, and they all play runescape online...which is
> very involved, and the interesting stuff on it never ending, and
> they are always adding new "quests" to the game. Cable TV also
> provides endless "new" watching opportunities.
As Joanne suggested, being with them will help while they play and
watch.
Make sure they have other opportunities. Don't try offering when
they're in the middle of a game ;-) Try discussing at the beginning
of the week or the day before of places to go and making a plan.
Right now it may be unreasonable to expect them to want to do other
things. But in a few months they will want to do other things. They
stop one game to play another or watch TV, so new quests are not
keeping them glued there ;-) Gaming might always be a big interest
but they're already showing you that they do have other interests.
It's just that they're busy exploring the things that were previously
limited.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
aplan4life
Lucy, too neat to be going through almost the same thing right after
embracing our wonderful new outlook! Just goes to PROVE that we are
in the company of women who have 'been there, done that'. I received
my book today that a person here recommended (sorry I can't remember
who recommended) but the title is "Happy and Rich without an
Education?" What an absolute AWESOME book and the guy does not even
mention homeschooling but so far it echoes, Llewlyn and Holt, this
stuff blows me away.
LOL...mine children are both loving RuneScape! In fact, I bought them
each a membership. Watching them encourage one another is just too
neat. Brooke was out playing earlier and Zachary got some really neat
things and was so excited that he came running to tell his kid sister
the good news. :-)
They play it a lot and watch tv quite often but their outside is quite
a bit too. However, since buying the subscription yesterday I'm not
surprised that outside time went waaaaaay down, I realize it's only a
couple of days....besides, we're putting in our new pool liner and if
my dh and I don't kill each other, they'll be swimming away next week.
--- In [email protected], "L. Amphay" <l_amphay@...>
wrote:
embracing our wonderful new outlook! Just goes to PROVE that we are
in the company of women who have 'been there, done that'. I received
my book today that a person here recommended (sorry I can't remember
who recommended) but the title is "Happy and Rich without an
Education?" What an absolute AWESOME book and the guy does not even
mention homeschooling but so far it echoes, Llewlyn and Holt, this
stuff blows me away.
LOL...mine children are both loving RuneScape! In fact, I bought them
each a membership. Watching them encourage one another is just too
neat. Brooke was out playing earlier and Zachary got some really neat
things and was so excited that he came running to tell his kid sister
the good news. :-)
They play it a lot and watch tv quite often but their outside is quite
a bit too. However, since buying the subscription yesterday I'm not
surprised that outside time went waaaaaay down, I realize it's only a
couple of days....besides, we're putting in our new pool liner and if
my dh and I don't kill each other, they'll be swimming away next week.
--- In [email protected], "L. Amphay" <l_amphay@...>
wrote:
>Service.
> Joyce,
>
> Thank-you for your response, it really helped me alot!!
>
> Lucy
>
> Joyce Fetteroll <fetteroll@...> wrote:
> On Apr 10, 2006, at 11:46 PM, L. Amphay wrote:
>
> > Two of my kids ( 12, 8 boys) literally go from the computer, to the
> > ps 2, to the t.v., constantly rotating.
>
> Right now, part of what they're doing is hoarding because they fear
> this freedom is only temporary and they need to pack in as much as
> they can before the restrictions return.
>
> If someone would only let you have a small square of chocolate once a
> week, how would you react to being let loose in a room full of free
> chocolate? If you feared the restrictions would return, would you
> limit yourself to a "reasonable" amount of chocolate?
>
> A month of unrestricted play isn't enough. They need to gain
> confidence that they can walk away and still be able to play when the
> come back. They need to make up for the time when they couldn't play.
>
> > Today a neighborhood friend came down, and asked my 12 yo to play,
> > and he refused saying he was busy. The weather is wonderful for
> > playing outdoors-- soon it will be way too hot!!
>
> 30 years in the future, if they miss one spring of playing outdoors,
> what will it mean?
>
> > we have many games, and they all play runescape online...which is
> > very involved, and the interesting stuff on it never ending, and
> > they are always adding new "quests" to the game. Cable TV also
> > provides endless "new" watching opportunities.
>
> As Joanne suggested, being with them will help while they play and
> watch.
>
> Make sure they have other opportunities. Don't try offering when
> they're in the middle of a game ;-) Try discussing at the beginning
> of the week or the day before of places to go and making a plan.
>
> Right now it may be unreasonable to expect them to want to do other
> things. But in a few months they will want to do other things. They
> stop one game to play another or watch TV, so new quests are not
> keeping them glued there ;-) Gaming might always be a big interest
> but they're already showing you that they do have other interests.
> It's just that they're busy exploring the things that were previously
> limited.
>
> Joyce
>
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>
>
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