My niece is addicted to video games and my sister cannot convince my niece to go

1. 64

   dipsmiposted 12 years ago

   My niece is addicted to video games and my sister cannot convince my niece to go out and play.
   
   my niece is addicted to video games and my sister cannot convince my niece to go out and play. What steps should she take to make my niece go out and play. She starts throwing tantrums as soon as the game is switched off.

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2. 72

   Natashalhposted 12 years ago

   Kids throw tantrums because they work. We studied this in educational psychology last semester. If she doesn't want the girl playing video games, she needs to turn it off, take it away and refuse to cave, no matter now nasty things get.

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      dipsmiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      messaging my sis what what you have suggested. Hope it works!! thanks Natashalh

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3. 92

   Brainy Bunnyposted 12 years ago

   I agree with Natashalh. It's really hard, but your sister just has to take a deep breath and get rid of the video games if they're a problem. If limiting them hasn't worked, get rid of them entirely. Most importantly: be consistent. Kids can smell weakness and will be ruthless in trying to get their way. Letting the girl have a tantrum will not hurt her; if your sister cannot handle it alone maybe you could be there for moral support.

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4. 61

   kgarcia1113posted 12 years ago

   I ran into the same issue shortly after moving in with my (now) husband and 2 step-sons. All they wanted to do was sit and play video games and the fits got really annoying really fast. I tried numerous things and now they play outside with their friends and tend not to complain too much. My step-sons were 7 and 8 at the time and I had no experience raising kids at that age. But I managed to come up with a system that worked for me.
   
   For every 30 minutes of video games they had to first be outdoors for 1 hour. It took a bit but it was more effective and less of a headache then taking them away all together. Also put a time limit on the TV's and computers. Now they are 11 and 12 and we don't have to fight with them or listen to crying. It worked for us, and every kid and every parent is different. But it may be worth a shot.

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   Marble Sweetsposted 12 years ago

   This is why now when you drive through American neighborhoods you don't see all the kids playing outdoors they way we used to. We stayed out all day and came home at night! Now you cannot get the children away from the video games on the computer...I agree with setting limits just like our parents used to do with television. They limited the number of hours of TV we were allowed to watch each day, and now I am very glad they did that.

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   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   No convincing needed, take the games away and there will be no problem.  Yes, she will kick and scream and sulk and when that does not work she will tire of it.  Your sister is the parent and needs to step and do what is right for the child.  She may have to remove the games from the house so there is no way to give in and turn them back on.
   
   She must do this for her child.

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   jellygatorposted 12 years ago

   I agree 100%. She's not doing your niece any favors by letting the child be in control all the time. On the other hand, it's also important to choose the battles she wants to fight. Your niece's video game addiction could foster a career later if your sister can channel that direction, so unless your niece is having problems because of playing games, it might be best not to make it an issue. Are her grades suffering? Is she lacking social skills because of not being around other kids? Is she overweight? If there aren't any problems, why create one?

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8. 77

   Christopher Dapoposted 12 years ago

   In this article, a question about a mother having difficulty getting her daughter to stop playing her videogames and go outside to play is answered. This may apply to anyone with kids in a similar situation. read more

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9. 0

   ExoticHippieQueenposted 12 years ago

   This is a case of authority.  Mom is the authority, and the daughter is the child in the learning experience.  I don't see thisi as a "convincing" kind of situation.  You don't want her to sit in front of video games all day?  Pull the plug.  Let her tantrum.  Eventually, going outside will look a lot better than sitting in front of a black screened tv.  Especially, if a couple of neighbor girls are invited to knock on the door for a snack in the backyard with some Barbies.

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    Express10posted 12 years ago

    I think that your sister should not try to convince the child and she should make the child go out and play. Children get what they want when parents are not willful enough to outlast temper tantrums. I would take the game system away from her for at least a day or two every time she throws a tantrum. My beau has a neice who is just 8 years old and she does nothing but sit around on her duff playing video games or watching t.v. In that particular child's case the parents feel that electronic babysitters are fine so long as the kid doesn't "bother" them. Long story short, this kid is 8 years old and weighs more than 155! Please encourage your sister to do what's best for her child to be healthy, happy, and well adjusted.

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