computer time
Adrean Clark
We've been doing well with the adjustment period since I last posted.
I've learned that change won't happen overnight, and that the kids
won't suddenly have lightbulbs go off over their heads. But things
have improved very much.
One thing I am still not sure about is the issue of computer time. We
have discussed it before, but I lost those emails and the search
string is too common to get through the archives on.
Here's the situation:
There is only one computer in this house and four people who want to
use it. I bought the computer with my money in order to advance in my
graphic design career. Since my pager broke, it is literally the only
connection I have with the outside besides my videophone and
interpersonal interaction. (I'm deaf) We all try to practice respect
with each other's toys/equipment/etc., asking permission and so on.
Now, the computer is a wonderful tool, but it is also sensitive and
important to me and very expensive (PowerMac G5). In the past, I let
my son play on it whenever he asked and for as long as he needed. I
wanted his needs to be met. But then I also needed to use the
computer for communication and other things. When I asked for my
turn, he'd blow up and bang on the keys or other things that
endangered the security of others around him. I explained to him, how
would you feel if I borrowed your DS and then threw a tantrum about it
when you asked for it back? He understood it but not emotionally.
I tried several different things, the current one being limiting him
to 7 hours a week, he can choose when and where he wants to use the
hours. I don't really like it because it's not very unschooly, and it
can lead to him looking for ways around it. Sometimes he does well
with it, but it's a stopgap measure... I wonder if it is better to go
back to unlimited usage with the respectful request of leaving it off
during the night so everyone can rest and if he blows up again when I
ask to use it (I do ask reasonably, like 'after this game is
finished...after this video is done, I need to check my email...') I
can refuse his request next time by saying politely, you were very
rough with the computer last time and I don't really want to share it
with you today. Natural consequence?
We do have another, older iMac that needs its CD drive fixed and a
reinstall of OSX. I don't know how much it would cost to fix it.
Until then, what do you all think? What do you do with your kids?
Adrean
I've learned that change won't happen overnight, and that the kids
won't suddenly have lightbulbs go off over their heads. But things
have improved very much.
One thing I am still not sure about is the issue of computer time. We
have discussed it before, but I lost those emails and the search
string is too common to get through the archives on.
Here's the situation:
There is only one computer in this house and four people who want to
use it. I bought the computer with my money in order to advance in my
graphic design career. Since my pager broke, it is literally the only
connection I have with the outside besides my videophone and
interpersonal interaction. (I'm deaf) We all try to practice respect
with each other's toys/equipment/etc., asking permission and so on.
Now, the computer is a wonderful tool, but it is also sensitive and
important to me and very expensive (PowerMac G5). In the past, I let
my son play on it whenever he asked and for as long as he needed. I
wanted his needs to be met. But then I also needed to use the
computer for communication and other things. When I asked for my
turn, he'd blow up and bang on the keys or other things that
endangered the security of others around him. I explained to him, how
would you feel if I borrowed your DS and then threw a tantrum about it
when you asked for it back? He understood it but not emotionally.
I tried several different things, the current one being limiting him
to 7 hours a week, he can choose when and where he wants to use the
hours. I don't really like it because it's not very unschooly, and it
can lead to him looking for ways around it. Sometimes he does well
with it, but it's a stopgap measure... I wonder if it is better to go
back to unlimited usage with the respectful request of leaving it off
during the night so everyone can rest and if he blows up again when I
ask to use it (I do ask reasonably, like 'after this game is
finished...after this video is done, I need to check my email...') I
can refuse his request next time by saying politely, you were very
rough with the computer last time and I don't really want to share it
with you today. Natural consequence?
We do have another, older iMac that needs its CD drive fixed and a
reinstall of OSX. I don't know how much it would cost to fix it.
Until then, what do you all think? What do you do with your kids?
Adrean
[email protected]
The first thing that comes to me is that your family desperately needs
another computer. I think it's a priority if you can't afford one right now to get
onto Craigslist and Freecyle and see if you can find one free. If you are in
the greater Boston area, I think we have one you could have.
Mostly I'm responding to the fact that your need for regular access and an
intact computer that probably has specialized equipment on it for your
disability and your work is vital, and those needs probably need to come first.
I'm assuming that your child is quite young. I wouldn't say that telling a
child they can't use something THIS time because they weren't careful LAST time
is a natural consequence. Unfortunately the natural consequence is that the
computer could get broken or you didn't get a communication you needed --
those consequences are all on you.
Limiting hours is also tricky if he's young, because he may not really know
what the heck 7 hours feels like. I don't have any brilliant ideas for
managing this until you have another computer. After you DO have another, yours may
still be "better" and you may still need to negotiate these things. That
comes back to the original issue -- you need this tool for your disability and
work. This computer is YOURS, and you may share it sometimes. I assume that his
DS is his and he chooses when to share it...
Good luck! Seriously, if you're in the area, let me know and I'll see what
we have in the realm of computers we're not using.
Kathryn
Come to the Northeast Unschooling conference Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25
2008 in Peabody, Massachusetts _www.northeastunschoolingconference.com_
(http://www.northeastunschoolingconference.com/)
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
another computer. I think it's a priority if you can't afford one right now to get
onto Craigslist and Freecyle and see if you can find one free. If you are in
the greater Boston area, I think we have one you could have.
Mostly I'm responding to the fact that your need for regular access and an
intact computer that probably has specialized equipment on it for your
disability and your work is vital, and those needs probably need to come first.
I'm assuming that your child is quite young. I wouldn't say that telling a
child they can't use something THIS time because they weren't careful LAST time
is a natural consequence. Unfortunately the natural consequence is that the
computer could get broken or you didn't get a communication you needed --
those consequences are all on you.
Limiting hours is also tricky if he's young, because he may not really know
what the heck 7 hours feels like. I don't have any brilliant ideas for
managing this until you have another computer. After you DO have another, yours may
still be "better" and you may still need to negotiate these things. That
comes back to the original issue -- you need this tool for your disability and
work. This computer is YOURS, and you may share it sometimes. I assume that his
DS is his and he chooses when to share it...
Good luck! Seriously, if you're in the area, let me know and I'll see what
we have in the realm of computers we're not using.
Kathryn
Come to the Northeast Unschooling conference Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25
2008 in Peabody, Massachusetts _www.northeastunschoolingconference.com_
(http://www.northeastunschoolingconference.com/)
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Adrean Clark
DS is 8 years old going on 9. We live in NC. I do have a broken iBook
G4 (screen) and iMac (CD drive) - the iMac is the one I'm trying to
get fixed now. The screen on the iBook is broken but it otherwise
works fine. It costs $400 to get a replacement screen for the iBook.
I'd be glad to work out a trade with someone who wants it...
Adrean
G4 (screen) and iMac (CD drive) - the iMac is the one I'm trying to
get fixed now. The screen on the iBook is broken but it otherwise
works fine. It costs $400 to get a replacement screen for the iBook.
I'd be glad to work out a trade with someone who wants it...
Adrean
Faith Void
We have only one computer right now. We just make a queue if more than
one person wants to use it. I don't assign things the kids or the kids
and I create this together to meet everyones needs. My dh, who uses it
for work (graphic artist), also needs to wait for his turn. If there
is a deadline my kids will generally allow him on first, as they like
to eat {g}.
I thinking have more than one computer is a great idea. We are in the
throes of moving, and having just bought a house so it is getting
closer on our priority list.
Faith
one person wants to use it. I don't assign things the kids or the kids
and I create this together to meet everyones needs. My dh, who uses it
for work (graphic artist), also needs to wait for his turn. If there
is a deadline my kids will generally allow him on first, as they like
to eat {g}.
I thinking have more than one computer is a great idea. We are in the
throes of moving, and having just bought a house so it is getting
closer on our priority list.
Faith
BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
or you can get a cheap complete pc for $300 new . I know macs are great but does it mater for your son?
Alex
(who also needs a second computer)
Adrean Clark <adreanaline@...> wrote:
DS is 8 years old going on 9. We live in NC. I do have a broken iBook
G4 (screen) and iMac (CD drive) - the iMac is the one I'm trying to
get fixed now. The screen on the iBook is broken but it otherwise
works fine. It costs $400 to get a replacement screen for the iBook.
I'd be glad to work out a trade with someone who wants it...
Adrean
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Alex
(who also needs a second computer)
Adrean Clark <adreanaline@...> wrote:
DS is 8 years old going on 9. We live in NC. I do have a broken iBook
G4 (screen) and iMac (CD drive) - the iMac is the one I'm trying to
get fixed now. The screen on the iBook is broken but it otherwise
works fine. It costs $400 to get a replacement screen for the iBook.
I'd be glad to work out a trade with someone who wants it...
Adrean
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]