Question

At my wits end.  All my 12 year old son ever wants to do is sit eat junk and play the friggin box.At my wits end. All my 12 year old son ever wants to do is sit eat junk and play the friggin box. I’m so sick of it and don’t know what to do  Today was beautiful, did he want to go outside. of course not. Going out of my mind and want to burn the box. Any mama’s w me?  

Answer 1

Take it away for a month. Not as punishment, as a break. My kids get so crabby when on it and then we take breaks and they complain, but then they are back outside, reading books, playing with each other, etc.  

Comments

When he gets it back, set limits. I am a teacher and see the impact of constant video gaming on my students and it is so sad. It’s literally all they talk about and think about at school. They are missing out on so many experiences! In my house my kids have to do homework first, jobs to help around the house and then they get limited time on it and not every day. Plus, they have to be off at least an hour before bed so they can unwind. They are both in sports, so very active.  

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@carliecarlile agree! I see the same with my 4th graders!  

Answer 2

Exactly the same for us! I'm ready for another break. It's so much better in our house when we hide the video games.  

Answer 3

Take it away and replace the junk food with fruits & veggies your the parent you make the rules.  

Answer 4

Burn it and have him throw away the junk food. Don’t buy any more and keep better snacks in the house. You decide what comes in your house.  

Answer 5

Find a new park to visit each weekend! Make it a family adventure and pack some healthy snacks. Have you tried to let him pick out a new fruit or veggie each week?  

Answer 6

Nahhh. that dont fly here. 2 days in a row I got my 13, 10 and 7 year olds outside.  

Answer 7

Unplug it and hide it. Tell him what's up

Answer 8

Easy. If he doesn't take a break. it goes bye bye.  

Answer 9

I took the remotes. They’re in my room on my nightstand. I said I’m not hiding them but if you take them you’ll see what happens. I’m not sure what will happen if he takes them  but he hasn’t tried.  

Answer 10

We made our kids get up off the games and go ride their bikes and play at the park today! It was good for them and they stayed out all day long

Answer 11

We don’t do options overs here. I have twin 16 year olds, a 12 & 10 year old. I “broke the news” to them today over breakfast that we were heading to Herrick Lake for a walk and then to Nike Park for pickle ball - we got a good 2-3 hours outdoors & it was good for everyone. If I have “a plan” they will comply but if I just say, “Go play outside” it’s a bust.  

Answer 12

Take the cord and hide it. cant play without it. Plus set a time limit for how many hours per week he can play it. It burns through all those hours in let's say 2 days that is his own doing and no one else to blame.  

Answer 13

Dr. said to me when my kids were younger if you do not buy it they cannot eat it. I always have her saying that to me in the back of mind.  

Answer 14

I think one of the hardest things is even if you take it away, most of his friends probably still have theirs and won’t want to go outside to play. I try to do more family stuff to get my daughter off Xbox and her phone. Lately we’ve been doing puzzles together. Also, I don’t keep a lot of junk food in the house so she doesn’t have much of a choice with that lol

Answer 15

Take it away. Your the mom. Your in control. Dont buy the junk food. Have good food for him to eat so he has no choice. To me the monkeys are running the zoo. I dont mean to sound harsh but take back control of your house. You are the mother.  

Answer 16

Turn off the Internet

Answer 17

To be fair--I remember going outside at that awkward age and WANTING to play, but not really knowing how to play any more!  

Answer 18

Don’t have the game issue yet, but I’ll control screen time rather tightly. It’s library day or arts and crafts time or anything else to offer up alternatives. You’re the boss. You’re also the leader and teaching young people how to be big people later in life. Realize it’s up to you to model it for them and it’s an honor of parenthood and less of a hassle. Sometimes if you reframe it - it’ll all fall into place.  

Answer 19

Set daily time limits. If he complains that's too bad. You don't need to remove it completely if he can get homework and tasks completed. But he should have non - screen time also.  

Answer 20

We definitely have a game issue, So once I get to my breaking point in the day because I think it’s just been too much I make them get off

Answer 21

Same here. My son is in 6th grade and doesn’t want to do anything! Drives me insane. I offer to take him out of the house and he never wants to. He is social. But he just meets his school friends on fortnite for hours. Ugh

Comments

@purchasable my son & I agree with this. my son is saying “yes this” ❤️

Answer 22

Ummm take it away and tell him to find something else to do.? You’re the parent.  

Answer 23

Same. Kid just turned 15. told him when hes 16 hes getting a job. We limit game time as well. and I dont keep junk food in the house.  

Answer 24

Who buys him junk food and games?  

Answer 25

Can you give him an allotted time and once it is up it is done for the day?  

Answer 26

Um take it away? Lol

Answer 27

I felt that way. but now that he’s in HS I’m glad he’s home safe and not out smoking & drinking. (yes they are doing that in MS) The box is a stress reducer. and Middle school stress is no joke. That age was the hardest for my son. Good luck ❤️

Answer 28

Right there with you  

Answer 29

Never had this with my kids - but we always had computer restrictions and rules. Nice days - you were outside and if you chose to be inside - no computer -

Answer 30

Give him a choice: Chores or Extracurricular activities? He will be what you allow him to be at that age. Good luck  

Answer 31

I’m with you but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Kids are human, and gaming is no better or worse than outdoor activities IMO. Either way, limits and boundaries are a part of life. For what it’s worth— I physically removed my son’s system yesterday morning without reason. I feel it had better results than always having it available and then using it as a punishment/reward tool or having him think of it as a constant option. This only ended up creating manipulative/obsessive behavior, despite my belief of ‘what I say goes’. Games just simply weren’t part of the ledger this weekend. I find that if it’s not in his room at any given time, he will have to find something else to do. If it’s available, have at it; and if it’s not, do something else. I’d love to have an endless supply of money in my bank account, or an endless supply of vacation time at work. But unfortunately I have to check my bank account before I make a purchase and I have to check my PTO balance before I leisurely take a day off work. Such is life .