https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 02:24:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freetime-unlimited-on-ipad#post-2863985 Sat, 29 Dec 2018 13:57:47 +0000 Foodnerd81 2863985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: I have a really hard time with that and find it kind of useless for when you won’t be in WiFi. I was able to download certain videos from amazon prime video but not all, and it was hard to tell which ones would work. Even between two kids kindle fire 7s they were different. It was so annoying. Make sure you turn off the WiFi and test if they work before you leave (advice given from experience :sad: ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freetime-unlimited-on-ipad#post-2863984 Sat, 29 Dec 2018 12:59:02 +0000 peaches1038 2863984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Amazon had a sale yesterday for Freetime unlimited for $1/month. We are going on a trip next week that requires a 6.5 hour plane ride, so I got it. Now I’m not sure how to download things. I tried a long press but nothing happened. Does anyone know how? Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipad-help-needed#post-2828209 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:39:53 +0000 LBee 2828209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had this happen at work and took it into Apple. They told us if we could provide proof of purchase that they could fix it. Otherwise they said there was no way to remove an activation lock. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipad-help-needed#post-2828205 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:29:26 +0000 gotkimchi 2828205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband used to work for Apple and if it is locked it cannot be unlocked without the answers to the security questions </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipad-help-needed#post-2828201 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:07:27 +0000 oscarthegoon 2828201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a third hand IPad that went from my husband's aunt to my MIL to me. We are locked out. I figured out how to do a factory reset, but the activation lock is still on. I need the apple ID and password of the original owner, but MIL doesn't know it, and I am barely speaking to her anyway, and she is not currently speaking to her sister (the original owner). Bottom line is, I need a device other than my iphone that my son can play Minecraft on, and I have this perfectly good IPad sitting here that I can't use, and I need a miracle. Can anyone help? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tablet-games-for-a-reluctant-reader#post-2826468 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 13:27:00 +0000 ReadItMama 2826468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried the other Endless apps: Reader and Wordplay (the Academy app has all the apps in one)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tablet-games-for-a-reluctant-reader#post-2826434 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 12:29:51 +0000 misolee 2826434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with Teach Your Monster to Read. It’s great for emerging readers. I managed to snag it when it was free and it’s awesome. I would pay for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tablet-games-for-a-reluctant-reader#post-2826432 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 12:15:14 +0000 lindseykaye 2826432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's Endless Reader which is similar to Endless Alphabet but geared towards whole sight words. But, if he's over that one it might be hit or miss how much it will keep his attention.<br /> Following to get ideas for my own 5-yr old who is also pretty close to reading but whose motivation wavers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tablet-games-for-a-reluctant-reader#post-2826378 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 10:01:35 +0000 Charm54 2826378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Osmo .... it's a kit that you buy to attach to your ipad, and it is amazing for building letter/sound relationship, CVC words, etc. It also comes with numbers, tangrams, artwork kits...there's so much you can do with it. I also like that it's kinesthetic and interactive so not as passive as a regular app. I use them in my reading interventions at school and also at home with my daughters. </p> <p><a href="https://www.playosmo.com/en/" rel="nofollow">https://www.playosmo.com/en/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tablet-games-for-a-reluctant-reader#post-2826351 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 08:38:58 +0000 Hypatia 2826351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Teach Your Monster to Read is by far the best I've seen. It's not cheap, but it's worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tablet-games-for-a-reluctant-reader#post-2826333 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 08:11:38 +0000 kce56 2826333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looking for any and all suggestions for tablet games (iPad or Amazon Fire) for a 5 year old who is thisclose to reading. I’m usually pretty limiting with the screen time but if there are a few games that will encourage his reading I’m all for it! We’ve done Endless Alphabet but I think he’s over it. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784678 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 21:54:08 +0000 QueensBee 2784678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We hit rock bottom with my 4 year old LO's tv/ipad obsession this summer. We quit cold turkey for about two weeks. Luckily, it coincided with our family vacation to Vermont so we were busy doing other things to keep his mind off of screen time. </p> <p>When we got home, I introduced a children's dvd player to him. I showed him how to use it and bought him a few simple Scholastic book dvds to start. He uses an egg timer to keep track of his own screen time- 30 minutes a day. I love the Scholastic dvds- they are books that have been made into short animations. They are entertaining and educational but sweet and simple, not nearly as addicting as the ipad. Now he has ownership over his device and takes a lot of pride in knowing how to use the buttons and how to use his egg timer. </p> <p>This set up may not work for everyone but it's been working well for us! It still gives him some screen time (and me a break!), but it's not nearly as addictive for him. </p> <p>Here are the links to the set up we use:<br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/DBPOWER-Portable-Rechargeable-Battery-Charger/dp/B06Y5PBC7N/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1510022895&#038;sr=8-2&#038;keywords=dvd+player+kids" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/DBPOWER-Portable-Rechargeable-Battery-Charger/dp/B06Y5PBC7N/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1510022895&#038;sr=8-2&#038;keywords=dvd+player+kids</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Tales-Scholastic-Storybook-Collection/dp/B017S3Z1XM/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1510023197&#038;sr=1-2&#038;keywords=scholastic+dvd&#038;dpID=51TzW5qYq5L&#038;preST=_SY300_QL70_&#038;dpSrc=srch" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Tales-Scholastic-Storybook-Collection/dp/B017S3Z1XM/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1510023197&#038;sr=1-2&#038;keywords=scholastic+dvd&#038;dpID=51TzW5qYq5L&#038;preST=_SY300_QL70_&#038;dpSrc=srch</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-61040-Timer-60-minutes/dp/B000I18PHG/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1510023216&#038;sr=1-3-catcorr&#038;keywords=egg+timer" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-61040-Timer-60-minutes/dp/B000I18PHG/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1510023216&#038;sr=1-3-catcorr&#038;keywords=egg+timer</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784673 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 20:51:09 +0000 maddyz 2784673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hide it. Be firm, put it away. I have found that it's just not worth the fall out. If there is fussing or whining about limits it's over. DS is 2.5 which is very different then 4. But whining like that is a total no go. I can't take it. Is the 30 minutes of quiet worth the hell of whining the rest of the day? Nope. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784535 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 14:23:31 +0000 sauerkraut 2784535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh my goodness. My 16 month old has just recently been allowed to sometimes watch short youtube videos on the ipad and I also usually show her some TV while cutting her nails to get her to sit still. She's started getting insanely persistent about asking to see the "animals" on the ipad or TV. Thanks for the reminder that this can be such a slippery slope!<br /> I'm pretty sure I'd take a break from the Ipad in your case, if it's causing behavior problems or just getting downright annoying. Right now I'm trying to think up some creative alternatives to my nail clipping strategy so I'm not relying on screen time to accomplish a necessary task! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784486 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 12:57:39 +0000 snowjewelz 2784486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my almost 3 year old starts whining, I always take stuff away cold turkey and re-introduce after a while. I don't want her to not have screen time, and this has worked out for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784375 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 08:14:34 +0000 Ajsmommy 2784375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have this problem (yet). But if we did it would go away for as long as was necessary.. if that was 6 months then so be it. We're not sticklers for screen time in our house though so maybe that is why we dont' have an issue. We have Disney Jr on once we get home, cleaned up, changed and I start to get dinner together. We watch an episode or two before bed (on our tv) while we snuggle on the couch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784357 Sun, 05 Nov 2017 23:42:42 +0000 hellobeeboston 2784357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: we were in a similar position with my older son. He was addicted! I took it away cold turkey for 3 months straight. And I only allow it now sometimes on the weekend and special occasions. It definitely helped to do it this way. </p> <p>Now I see the obsession starting with my younger son and we try to keep it away as much as possible. Ugh! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784267 Sun, 05 Nov 2017 09:08:22 +0000 charlotte 2784267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: the "three more rounds" example is a great idea and would definitely help with some arguing when we do give it back! As well as eliminating it during the week. It seems like lately we don't even have enough time on the weekend because of sports and birthdays and holidays so this is probably a good break point. </p> <p>I will have to look into the kindle one. We love Amazon and I am so anti ad at this point. In our case ads make him want ALL THE THINGS</p> <p>Another huge problem is Angry Birds specifically. A family member introduced it and we were distracted by our newborn and said "ok, fine" because we remembered it being pretty low key. NO. It has a billion games that go along with it and there's this "tower"? that opens every 24 hours or something like that. At that point he becomes insane wanting to check if the tower is open. We don't actually have time to use apps ourselves so I had no idea this was a thing. I 100% blame us for not playing the game ourselves and anticipating these issues. When our iPad does come back it will be very, very, very carefully curated. Im actually pretty embarrassed by this particular point because I feel like it reflects terrible parenting but want to share because I think it IS a very slippery slope. You need a break, you're busy with other kids, the age level seems appropriate ---- it's not enough. I urge everyone to be really careful what you allow before it takes over your household !! :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784256 Sun, 05 Nov 2017 07:13:03 +0000 ShootingStar 2784256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with taking it away for a while. We had to do that for a week or so with DS and it helped. When we brought it back we put more rules around it. So now during the week he can only have it after dinner until bedtime. And if he fights us on bed, he doesn’t get it the next day. Usually he’s fine though because he’s used to the routine. </p> <p>We also don’t really do games. He watches PBS kids or Disney movies. He has a couple other apps but barely ever uses them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784252 Sun, 05 Nov 2017 06:44:39 +0000 gotkimchi 2784252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte: this has been such an interesting discussion. We have a kindle kid for my 4yo and one thing I just realized is the games or apps don’t have ads which is great. We still have taken it away at times and we also tell her if you cry or whine about shows you don’t get them. It’s so hard because sometimes mom needs a break </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784246 Sun, 05 Nov 2017 06:38:46 +0000 nana87 2784246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took it away indefinitely. Lo1 actually just got it back this week for the first time in 11 months because we were traveling and it’s going to be going away again once we get home </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784244 Sun, 05 Nov 2017 06:09:34 +0000 looch 2784244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son's a little older, but he just got his iPad back after a month of not having it. I can't even remember the reason why I had to take it away...but we limit it in that he can only have it on the weekends. During the week, there is just no time for it. </p> <p>We also tried a time limit and it tends not to work, as my son doesn't quite understand what 5 minutes means, but he does understand you can watch two more videos, or play 3 more rounds of racing (or whatever it is that he is doing).</p> <p>As for the apps, I have found that most of the free ones have a ton of ads, and they're kind of good in that way as my son realizes that, and eventually deletes them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784221 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 21:07:51 +0000 charlotte 2784221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad we aren't the only ones with this problem. We have gone cold turkey before and it was really nice for a couple months...but then he asked Santa to please bring his iPad back. :shocked: I need a strategy for that one this year, haha. Can Santa bring back an iPad that only plays music? Somehow I think he would STILL be obsessed. </p> <p>But in all seriousness - Like many of you I have nothing against screentime. I wish he could play 30 minutes, put it away, and happily do other things. Butttttt that's not happening and it has clearly become a stressor in our lives so bye bye iPad. </p> <p>Let this be a warning to all...other lessons we have learned the hard way:<br /> -a consistently enforced time limit is not enough to protect against iPad obsession!<br /> -use the restrictions section from the general settings to your benefit before it's too late<br /> -screen apps for problems ahead of time...in depth. I feel guilty about this. Of course we control the content and only let him use apps that were appropriate for his age level BUT I didn't realize how many apps have ads for OTHER games which may or may not be appropriate and lead to a "can we get this and that and this" situation. I'm pretty sure this is a huge part of my problem. In iPad world, there is instant gratification, getting new things with a click, and no boredom, ya know? Keep your iPads as boring as possible. </p> <p> @misolee: love the idea of tv Friday's!! Something to look forward to!</p> <p>Thanks for everyone's support. I'm hoping for happier times, and that Santa will tell him he doesn't have and iPads at the North Pole. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784210 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 19:42:16 +0000 catomd00 2784210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have this issue, but if we did it would go away. For a long time. It seems clear he isn't at a point where he can accept moderation, so I think just cutting it cold turkey is best here. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784198 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 17:52:42 +0000 wrkbrk 2784198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte: Not there yet but I have no doubt we will be 🙄 don’t think six months is too extreme at all but you are brave if you can pull that off!! Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784197 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 17:25:14 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2784197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When either of our kids has an issue like this we just go cold turkey for awhile! It hasnt been that often for our five year old, I think maybe twice? Our two year old we haven't even been able to consistently let watch short YouTube videos.. they cause meltdowns. We just had to take it away again and I'm not sure he'll get to try again anytime soon except if we are desperate (like at a dr visit alone with him.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784195 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 17:06:48 +0000 misolee 2784195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stopped cold turkey too when she was 4. Between iPad and watching shows, She was obsessed. I’m not that against screen time but she was getting so bad I had to nip it. We implemented tv Friday’s and she’s now 5. She looks forward to watching two shows on Fridays and iPad game time on Saturdays. That’s all she gets and she knows it bc it’s like a slippery slope for her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784194 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 17:00:38 +0000 petitenoisette 2784194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte: from what you've described I would 100% take it away indefinitely. It doesn't sound like it's a healthy activity for him at this point. I would probably be prepared with some extra/new non-electronic activities before taking it away. </p> <p>My daughter is younger and she definitely get upsets when I take it away on the rare occasions we let her use one of ours. I have to distract her with something else so she doesn't tantrum. But she does not ask for it unless she sees us using it and usually not even then so I hope to continue to avoid it being a real issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784188 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 16:19:25 +0000 SweetiePie 2784188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use the timer setting on the iPad and it basically turns off when it’s done. He rarely throws a tantrum if the timer goes off but if we just took it away out of nowhere he would lose his sh*t.<br /> However we’ve used timers for everything (transitions) for a while so he’s very used to the concept.<br /> He does ask for it when it’s not being used but we just try really hard to redirect him/distract. Sometimes it works better than others.<br /> If it was a major problem, I also would have no problem cutting it out for a while. Maybe not 6 months but a month or two and see if that helps to reset things.<br /> If you think you can manage 6 months and have no huge reason to use it (like travel) then go for it. I think for my own sanity 6 months would be too long, but that’s mostly selfish reasons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784187 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 16:05:40 +0000 cyndistar3 2784187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had some trouble with dd#1 wanting to spend all of her time on the iPad so we took it, she's now almost 9, her sisters are 5 and 3 and none of them play with it. We do some tv time in the morning or evening depending on what's going on but the dependency was more than I thought it would be and I wanted to nip that one early. </p>