OMG They Limit Me Once Again!

[laxplaya1346]

I'm so sick of my parents. So they took away my computer monday-thursday because i struggle with school. So this quarter i obeyed their wishes and actually did well in school. So they then decide that my life is on the computer, how can it be if they limit it even more? So now i am only allowed a total of 3 hours each weekend day. I'm sick of this controlling and can any adults offer what advice they have? I'm going to talk to my school counselor tomorrow as they say they are there to help with anything. I'm just really POed right now.

 

[HopelessMagic]

As a parent myself, I can understand why they may have done that. Do you sit on the computer all day long and just stay indoors? Have you withdrawn from your friends and retreated to the computer world instead? Your parents want you to get outside and play and have fun. Get some sun in your eyes and some wind in your face. Sitting on the computer all day long is not a healthy lifestyle. I think 3 hours a weekend is a little too strict, but maybe they feel that's what you need to get you doing more active things.

I would talk to them to see what you can work out. Perhaps after school work is done and you've studied and had family time, 30-60 minutes before bedtime would be a nice reward. The same goes for weekends. When the sun is shining, go outside, play a game with a friend or go on an adventure. When it's time to come inside, eat dinner with the family, spend some time with them afterwards and then go online when everyone is winding down for the day. I think if they see that you have an active lifestyle offline, they'll feel a lot better when you're online. Try that and see how it works out. I think you both may be happy with the results.

 

[Nanoer]

Do what I did and get better grades than anyone in the school and then lock them out of their own computer until they let you back on. Trust me it works.

 

[HopelessMagic]

Actually, if my kid did that...not only would it not work because I know how to get around that (just take out the battery and it resets ) but I would take the computer and put it in my bedroom and forbid her to use it. Or I would just flat out sell it and there would be no computer to worry about at all. Ever. So yeah...that's not a good idea.

 

[Nanoer]

Actually, if my kid did that...not only would it not work because I know how to get around that (just take out the battery and it resets ) but I would take the computer and put it in my bedroom and forbid her to use it. Or I would just flat out sell it and there would be no computer to worry about at all. Ever. So yeah...that's not a good idea.

My parents can't do that because all my schoolwork's on it. Besides if you take out the battery it doesn't really do much except keep the time.. Password's are saved on your HD so you'd have to reformat to get past it.

 

[HopelessMagic]

I did my school work just fine without a computer. I'd print the school work and hand my kid a pencil and a pad of paper. Anything that absolutely needed a computer, we'd drive to the library where I'd sit next to her while she did it. Maybe that would teach her. I'm not a mom to mess with.

 

[Nanoer]

I did my school work just fine without a computer. I'd print the school work and hand my kid a pencil and a pad of paper. Anything that absolutely needed a computer, we'd drive to the library where I'd sit next to her while she did it. Maybe that would teach her. I'm not a mom to mess with.

LOL.. there's still the matter of blackmail

 

[ash410]

As a parent myself, I can understand why they may have done that. Do you sit on the computer all day long and just stay indoors? Have you withdrawn from your friends and retreated to the computer world instead?

Funny Story - my boyfriend was just like this in highschool (junior and senior year) When I met him - I kept asking him to go out and do things, bowling, movie, whatever it was to get out of the house. His parents had tried for a year or so before that.. and when he started going out to do things.. they were in astonishment wondering who was getting him out of the house. It was quite funny (in our situation) as he was older. But - it came down to just that... He spent all his time inside, on the computer with his buddies, and playing games. His parents did want him to get out more and enjoy what life has to offer but when they are that old it is difficult to get them to do so. So maybe your parents are doing that only earlier on in your life. He is now going for a Computer Engeneering major in college (go figure right?!?) So that helps keep him off the computer unless it is for school - or to play a game with his real life friends who have moved away. I still manage to get him out of the house and doing things though it is still difficult at times. Dont worry or be too upset at this. I know that it does stink (as i dont think i could handle that myself) but - you are young, you have your friends near you, there is so much you can go out and do before you get to old to do it or outgrow it. VMK is a game, the internet is a place to ocuppy our short attention spans. But friends and Family will never leave you!! Besides - you dont want to be like my boyfriend and have a dip in your computer chair because you sat in it too much? do you? hehe

 

[Narnian_Princess]

I come from super-strict parents too, so I know a bit of what you're going through.

Have a 'meeting' with your parents and ask them to set forth everything they want you to get done in a day/ reasons why they don't want you to use the computer. Then find a way to work something out; you finish all your homework, play outside with your friends for an hour, eat dinner and help clean up, do all your chores, then get to play for 30-45 minutes before bed. Not much, I know, but 30 minutes are better than 0 minutes.

Hope things get better!

 

[SorcererDonald16]

I'm 23, no children, no hubby either, but I'm actually finishing the first semester of my Master's program in school counseling. Sure, talk to your counselor. They are there to help you and listen to you. But if your counselor is anything like I'm being trained to be, they don't give you answers or advice typically. They listen and ask questions in hopes you can come to your own solutions. Or at least that's how it's supposed to go, per the ASCA National Model... Ahem. Yeah, I'm still in midterm mode, so ignore that part of my post.

I think it is important to limit the time children are online. The computer's a great source of entertainment and information, but it can become any of our only source of fun and info, and that's never good. Because I'm in grad school, I feel like my computer and I are attached at the hip, to the point where I'm thrilled to get away from the darned thing and the internet for just one day. I didn't even have a computer until my senior year of high school, and I was not allowed to have internet access until the summer before college. Yup, you read that right. No AIM, no online games, no email. I remember friends talking about IM and my response was "What's that?" And again, I'm not 95 years old! I'm 23.

My point is, as little as they make sense to some of us at the time, most decisions by parents are well thought and have your best intentions in heart. I hate to use the old phrase "It'll make sense when you're older," but it's true. Enjoy the non-computer dominated life while you can, lax. I'd give anything to have more time to read what I want or be outside in the nice weather.

 

[Nanoer]

Hey I don't have a life and look where I got with my techiness. 'nuff said

 

[pokemon_master]

I have strict parents too, and whilst I really hate when they nag me to do stuff they are trying to do things for the better (doesn't make it much better for me though!! ) espicially since I did really bad in my summer exams.

If you feel that it's unfair definetly sort it out with your parents/ask your guidance consouler. Perhaps you could do a trade, like maybe doing some studying in exchange for VMK/computer time. They get re-assurance your grades keep up and you get time with the computer. Fair's fair right?

 

[Maleficent2]

Hey I don't have a life and look where I got with my techiness. 'nuff said

where?

 

[Nanoer]

where?

To where I know more about technology than the guy at best buy who seems to know everything does. LOL