We could ease up a bit - maybe - and give them chips or tickets to spend….have to think and pray about this. We have one who tends to totally become antisocial if he spends much time on the screen. Currently….he earns 30 tickets (which takes about a week) and then spends an afternoon playing play station….maybe if he had 30 minutes spread out…but then again the play station is not easily accessible and requires digging out a TV et al….maybe we’ll leave the PS rules as are. LOL

We also love to have all gathered around the screen…..this really is very similar to what we do - but I would NOT have to use so many brain cells keeping track of their computer time. LOL

The younger ones all get to decide what they want to “buy” with their 30 tickets….Zander always choose play station. Arielle chooses either to redeem it for $3 (yeah - this is a sneaky allowance system of sorts) or $3 towards a book. Nolan mostly does PS with Zander and then opts for a DQ trip with his tickets. LOL I wonder why I’ve not thought to tie the ticket system into computer time…..I’m thinking now. Thanks.

As you know, we moderate comments, so they don’t appear right away (unless we’re sitting by the computer, hopefully waiting for those comment nuggets … ). Sorry, we were away most of the day today, and didn’t see these.

Your questions:

Can the gamers accumulate time? Say they don’t use all their chips this week - do they have 4 hours next week or do they lose it?

Definitely they keep ‘em. We have one or two kids who stockpile the chips, and we have to issue “bank draft IOUs” in denominations of 25 and 50 so that all the poker chips aren’t taken out of circulation. The kids use them for gifts, which I think is very cool (ahem, having been a recipient). Why not let a child enjoy the semi-security of being a ‘chip miser’?

Do they all give up a chip if all are sitting around watching someone else’s turn?

We don’t require paying a chip for watching. In fact, even if one of the children uses a chip to watch a movie, we allow others to watch. Personally, I think it is cool to see five children gathered around one computer, giving each other advice and cheering the ‘driver’ on.

One day a couple of weeks ago, they were all trying to solve some difficult level on the latest game, and Rachel figured it out. “Rachel’s a genius, Rachel’s a genius!”, they all sang, while Daniel or David actually implemented her suggestion. We try hard to strengthen the relational bonds between siblings, so I’ve got no problem with freeload watching. Besides, how would you ever enforce it? “OK, David, I see you watching that game from across the room. Better give me a chip!” … But if two children play a two-player game, they both have to pay.

Now - here’s a really painful but real question…..where do things like blogging and reading email fit in? Do you also allot 30 min a day for that sort of thing?

We currently do not put limits or require chips for blogging or e-mailing, mainly because Kathy won’t submit to it. (Mostly kidding.) Seriously, if you view blogging as creative writing and e-mailing as relationship building, you could make the argument that such activities should actually earn a chip. (In fact, I have successfully made that argument, and I’ve been paid a chip ‘bounty’ for a couple of late night blogs when Kathy couldn’t think of anything to say.) Even reading other people’s blogs, if you comment, could be considered relationship-building — so far we haven’t tried to assail that moral high ground with chip regulations.

Burning questions, all. We haven’t got it all figured out, yet. Three and a half hours a week is pretty stingy, I think, and every month or so I am tempted to throw off the restraints of these cursed chips and just play as much as I like. “Why should I submit myself to this ridiculous restriction?”, I growl. “Aren’t I the Big Papa? Who would dare to call me to account?”

Then Kathy looks at me sadly, and I sigh and wait for Wednesday, when the weekly chip allotment is disbursed.

Tim

Can the gamers accumulate time? Say they dont’ use all their chips this week - do they have 4 hours next week or do they lose it?

Do they all give up a chip if all are sitting around watching someone else’s turn? I mean I like the idea of companionship….but if I gave each child 1/2 an hour they’d be content to play their 30 min and sit another 3 hours watching everyone else. How do you handle this?

I’m thinking of play station - Zander has to earn 30 tickets before he gets to play. However, most games are 2 - 4 man and I’ve noticed Nolan never spends his tickets for time…he plays with Zander and then gets a book or something else with his tickets. Things I’m rethinking. LOL

Now - here’s a really painful but real question…..where do things like blogging and reading email fit in? Do you also allot 30 min a day for that sort of thing? Do you see where this could lead me???? I’m already down to about no time on SHS and have left all other homeschool/yahoo groups….

Things have been way better as far as MY wasted time on the computer. I worked diligently all January to recapture my priorities…..so of course, I thought of ME and my time too when reading about this system.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Blessings,

Chris

So, is the time allotment always 1/2 an hour or if your “misers” save up 24 hours worth of chips could they potientially spend an entire day at the computer?

Thanks,

Debbie

I love the way you ‘love’ ‘discipline’ ‘teach’ your kids. You are GREAT parents and I’m proud to be your Aunt Kate.

Now they value the time alotment by choosing very carefully what they plan to watch and is it going to be worth the investment. The same goes with the computer.

Stop by and visit my WFMW http://proverbswife.blogspot.com/2008/01/pre-made-mixes.html