Any tips to manage iPads with the kids?

I’m always having to change rules about ipads. I really hate ipads because it effects my kids behaviour. the real reason why my son got his was because I was trying to encourage him with reading and maths. since then, my nephew has been downloading games. ive now put a password on for downloading games. I had this argument with my son telling him the real reason why we got him the ipad and he said we also need a bit of fun… I explained to him fun is going outside, using his imaginations etc…he has always been a boy since he was a toddler who doesn’t know how to entertain himself. I got him a puppy when he was a toddler and they were like best friends. now the dog has passed away after 4 years together, my son has lost motivation to anything. I do have another dog but he doesn’t have the connection with her. I got a cat to replace his dog as losing a dog was like losing a child. got a cat because they are small, I had 2 labodors so big jumpy dogs but lovable. my rule is at home, no ipad from mon after school until Friday after school unless its a research but I now have a laptop that my kids can go on for school and print stuff out. so that leaves fri sat and sunday he can play the ipad. he has an ipad addiction, before bed time, he will ask what time can he have the ipad in the morning when he wakes up. my problem is I don’t have a ipad time on fri sat sun. how many hours is enough? I want to chuck the ipad out and start doing things as a family but my son has ipad on his mind. its that bad. I need some advice please.

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- - mom81879 said
  - 21 Aug 2016
    9:25 am
Sounds like you need to set some rules and boundaries asap. I’m not really sure what to suggest tho. Basically I guess if there’s nothing else happening, maybe let them play the iPad. But if you want to get family things happening, then the iPad should be put away
- - mom176887 said
  - 04 Jun 2016
    8:36 pm
While it is great that there are rules and he can do without it most of the week, it does sound like weekends are still a problem. I would take it away. Perhaps sell it. Go on a holiday (maybe something he wants to do? snow trip etc.). Or put the funds in the bank for movies, Bounce, or something else he would like that doesn’t mean time away from family and friends. Maybe GP visit can help (or psychologist) to explain to him the problems of screen time, inactivity, social withdrawl, etc.
- - mom93821 said
  - 04 Jun 2016
    3:41 am
Also, find something to replace iPad time that is enjoyable and positive. It may help?
- - mom93821 said
  - 03 Jun 2016
    4:09 pm
Set times with time limits works well.
- - BellaB said
  - 31 May 2016
    11:28 pm
We have a time limit – usually an hour, but if the kids are doing something like making short videos of each other (creative), then I tend to relax it. But the kds know there’s a time limit, and because that’s consistent, they accept it.
- - damish70 said
  - 31 May 2016
    9:55 pm
You need to set limits & rules & actually stick to them. My rules are no iPads during school week but ok for the weekend.
- - mom165744 said
  - 31 May 2016
    9:21 pm
Perhaps have a timeline chart that allocates time for each activity. Between certain hours u do homework, then at another allocated time u read, then allocate time for the iPad and so on
- - mom81879 said
  - 31 May 2016
    5:41 pm
Just take it off him and encourage other activities. Once he can again enjoy non iPad activities, maybe consider slowly re introducing it. Totally up to you. I much prefer kids to read books and climb trees to sitting on an ipad
- - mom156049 said
  - 31 May 2016
    4:16 pm
Get back to old fashioned books etc for learning. I hate technology kids have these days. They don’t seem to read books or get outside and play because of it