video game addiction and poor eating habits

[parents101]

My 6-yr-old son is addicted to Nintendo DS. I admit that my wife and I have been remiss in limiting his time on them, but now it has gotten to the point where he needs to play almost from the minute he wakes up.  He has no set bedtime, mainly because we don't enforce one. When we try to enforce it, he just ignores us.  If we take the DS away, he freaks out.  He also has gotten into a food rut.  He refuses to eat anything except fast food chicken nuggets.  It has gotten so bad that we always have to buy some, even when going to friends' houses where several types of food will be served.  He won't even try any of the dishes.

Does anyone have similar stories?  If so, could you please share some advice?  We're desperate!

[margypops]

You are thew parent you take control back, you definatly limit his use of the games , it will get worse as he gets older, if you dont, you boughtthe games and have allowed him to play even in the morning , when he should quietly be getting ready for school, so freak out or not you tell him that it is better for him sit and have some breakfast, he will yell but thats okay he will accept it if you are consistant, tell him he may play for an hour in the evenings . Six year old children do not usually dictate you say 'we dont enforce one' regarding bed time well now its time to start, he has a story and goes to bed if he comes out you take him back, he wont like it you have allowed him to take control and do what he likes you either take back control as a parent or have this forever...Same with food it is you enabling him to do this so you give him the food if he doesnt like it thats okay..It isnt the child here I have to tell you its the parents, so take back your role as Parents, be consistant you know what is right ...

[supermomma531]

I completely agree with margypops. You definitely need to take back the control. Your child needs you to. This is why he acts the way he does because he knows that you won't do nothing to him. It will be a struggle for a while but if you stick to it everyday, then it will eventually work. If you have to, take the game system out of the house and ask a friend, grandparent, or another family member to hold onto it. Do this only if you cannot get the control back. Do it while he in school and don't tell him where it is at. If he will obey you while it is in the house, then use it as a reward system but limit his time. He has to do whatever you ask of him in order to earn his time on it. No more than a hour a day. Send him outside to play and have the rule that he cannot go into his friends houses to play video games as well. Inform the other parents of your rules while the children are interacting with each other. If he's outside, then let him be out there for a few hours supervised. He needs to find other things he's interested in. Let him use his imagination. Maybe if you or his mom did one on one things with him like playing games outside such as soccer, baseball, basketball, etc. Inside the house, he needs to help with house chores suck as picking up after himself, cleaning his room, helping with dishes, laundry, vacuuming, sweeping, etc. He will eventually have to learn this stuff anyways so why not now? Tell him why you're taking his game system away and have a GOOD heart to heart talk with him. Be firm with him otherwise he will continue to walk all over you. Good luck.

[Sasha80]

I agree with the above two ladies.  You have to take back the control.  It'll be tough for a few days but it has to be done.  I would write out the house rules and discuss them with him.  If he chooses to disobey then the Nintendo is taken away until you regain control (nintendo only used as a reward).  He has you wrapped around his little finger.  As for his eating habits, he can't eat what you don't buy him.  You need to stop feeding him chicken nuggets.  He'll definitely rebel but if he is hungry he will eat what is in the house. "Freak outs" will be a part of your life for a bit but it'll be worth it in the end.  Remember to be FIRM and CONSISTENT.  You give in once and back to square one.  Good luck!