Activities that helped our 30 days without video games

Almost a month ago, I shared with you all that I dished out a 30 day punishment of No video games or iPads. From the minute I gave the verdict I panicked a little. How would I ever keep this long punishment, as I had never done that before. BUT as we near the end of this 30 day sentence, I am overjoyed with the confidence that I can do this! There were a few days that we made exceptions but our lesson still got through. The consequences had to be severe because we wanted to send the message that my son’s behavior of acting rude, being ungrateful or acting like partaking in family events, was not important to him was totally unacceptable. After-all we are here to teach our kids and explain right from wrong.

So let me now tell you HOW we were able to get through this. First off, my children are only allowed to play with their iPads, Xbox, Wii on the weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So this really meant four weekends without video games/iPads not really 30 days. The first two weekends flew by and were moved along quickly with the help of birthday parties, stays with grandparents, park visits, and more focus on imagination play. We had 3 birthday parties the first weekend which NEVER happens so that totally helped. I relished these weekends because after all, they’re what we, the parents used to do back in our day right? They used the trampoline more often, they played cops and robbers, they played kitties and puppies, hide and seek, Monopoly, Uno, and we survived!

Now as we approached that 3rd weekend, we allowed the kids to have back the iPads for a few hours one day when we had to go out of town. They were going to stay overnight at my parent’s and instead of having them driving my parents crazy, we said they could play their iPads for 3 hours. It worked out, it was only a few hours of the weekend and they knew that it was a privilege for them to use them at that time during their punishment. Then this past week my son was ill with a bad cold and allergies. He was at grandmas for 3 days in a row. My hubby allowed him to take his iPad 2 of those days. I would not have but since he already granted that to my son, I couldn’t back-peddle out of it. He didn’t play all day with it, but for a few hours. It helped to take his mind off of him not feeling well. So yes we did allow a few days during the punishment period for them to use it but here’s why I still feel confident in our punishment handling.

We have one more weekend to go and I know it will be easy peasy. They already know that this weekend they can’t play any video games and not to ask. So here we are at the finish line and it’s do-able. They are as excited about the finish line as we are. I have seen a noticeable change in my son. No punishment would do any good if you don’t remind the kids why they were punished in the first place and what the lesson is. In this case, be grateful for your family and the things you’re allowed to have. ‘Cause honey I brought you that iPad and I can take it away! 😉 HA!

To those who asked how we were doing with the punishment so far, Thank you for asking. Have you had to give any long punishment like this and if so, how did it go?

Here’s a list of activities you too can use to replace video games with for a bit:

1. Bike Riding

2. Park visits

3. Museum visits

4. Board Games

5. Imagination Play

6. Hide and Seek

7. Painting/Arts & Crafts

8. Reading fun books

9. Movies

10. Outdoor Sports, i.e., Basketball/Tennis

Remember you can make a few exceptions for a few hours and bring up the lesson you are trying to get across a few times.