I'm a mean mom because I said no playstation or computer til rooms are cleaned  

A GOOD HOUSE IS A CLEAN HOUSE IS A HAPPY HOUSE. I would do the same thing. I do try to make it fun though. WE turn on the music and dance around while cleaning. As for the games and trying to do things together. I think lots of families have this problem. My daughter is only 4 1/2. SO right now isn't a problem getting her to spend time at home etc. She likes it. We have family movie night where we each choose a different movie to watch. If they want to go somewhere and they get allowances, have them chip in for gas. That might inspire more creative home time. lol hang in there.

I was always called a mean Mom for doing that and I did it at least once a week because my son's room always looked like a disaster area. It worked to a point but not as well as I had hoped for. The only game my kids would play with me back then was Scrabble and I was happy about that because not only was it fun but it helped them with their vocabulary!

Your a mean mom too!?!? I have about 20 people coming to my house tonight for my husbands birthday party. I told my kids to clean there rooms and honeslty there isn't much to do just some clothes on the floor and put up breakables because there will be younger ones here tonight. There response was I don't wanna its saturday ... Blah blah blah. So now not only are they cleaning there rooms, they have to help there youger sister with her room (15 months) and they have to vaccume the house. Now thats a mean mom! lol Whatever it gave me a couple minutes on here.

I know exactly what you mean, my kids all have their chores to do, today was no different and I was really pleased how we all worked together and got them all done. I went upstairs just to put some washing away, and by the time I got back downstairs the crisps that they were eating were everywhere, it was a right mess. I flipped my lid, we had just spent nearly 4 hours cleaning through the house, I had hoovered the carpet thoroughly and they did that. So I told them no pocket money monday, because I was sick to death of them treating the house and me the way they do. What a good idea to get them all to play monopoly, I try lots of things to try and get some activity time as a family all to no avail, they just want to watch cartoons all day. I might try monopoly with them myself. I used to play it for hours as a kid.

LOL!!!!! i think that is so funny swuk for the kids though :P ^^

Oh yes sweety I have but at least you are trying! aybe buying some games that take less time but everyone could play together as birthday treats or rewards for good behaviour might help - it might not but is surely worth a go! My kids are no angels and they do have tantrums but if they think you are a mean Mom they should try coming to live in my house! Ok I am quite modern and approachable in my views and beliefs but I am old fashioned in others and my kids have chores such as keeping their room tidy, doing dishes etc. my eldest at 14 even organises some meals and does his own ironing! If my kids are cheeky or naughty there are always consequences and the most common ones are tv bans, computer and video games bans etc and believe me when they get a ban they are held to it be it a day a week or even more unless there is some exceptional behaviour! Don't worry sweets tantrums and spoiled family time are all par for the course, don't get discouraged and don't feel bad , I think you are doing a great job! xxx

Count yourself lucky!My hubby is always bringing home animals.Ducks that sit on my deck and poop everywhere,dogs that poop all over the yard! Chickens that roost on my front porch and poop everywhere.After saying I would like a small miniature Schnauzer for the house, he brings home a Giant Schnauzer and says he can't find a small one! Now it is almost 6 months old and when she stands up she is up to my shoulders.It has rained every every 3 days all winter and I let her out to go potty.She comes in all wet and muddy and she stays in my dinning room so as not to destroy the rest of my house. Now my dinning room floor looks like ten dogs with muddy feet have ran circles over it.The lastest? Twenty baby chicks!!!! Like I said before ,count your blessings,I will trade with you anyday.

I would do the same. I have done it. The kids are quick to ask us for money, to go here and there, yet we are stuck with the mess. I have taken the playstation etc away many times, the cell phone I took away as well, and boy when that was taken away did things get done. Trouble is when i took it away was one time when the oldest really needed, he got stuck walking from school in the worst of weather. Thought then - maybe the cell phone is a necessary evil. Anyway, now they are off till after easter, we are going to catch up on housework, and they have to feed the goats as well as part of the chores. They all want a trip to the States to visit their gran so we are going to have to save up hard, as we will probably have to hire someone to come in and check the animals, and 6 people won't be cheap to fly! But the kids have agreed to work together.

Of course you're not. YOu're teaching them responsibility.
As for the family activities together there are quite important in the short and long term.
People don't have to go spend a lot of money or use electronic gadgets to have some enjoyable family time.
Maybe what you can do with your tantrum throwing males is to ask for suggestions on things that they think will be fun doing together as long as : it doesn't involve a long trip and lots of money spent on gas, it has to be something that everyone in the family can participate and enjoy.
Monopoly is a good choice and we play it often, but sometimes we get tired of playing it. We have quite a lot of different board games that we rotate. We also play different card games - gin rummy, crazy 8s, canasta and simpler games for the youngest ones -. Dominoes is another one we sometimes play.
Or sometimes we just prefer to rent a few videos and make an afternoon out of it.
Or going to the park, take lots of pictures.
Play charades.
Jenga is a favorite too :)
Anything but playstation although we play that sometimes too, but it's good to enjoy other things as well:)

oh my, my poor kids are grounded all the time because they either can't keep their room cleaned or they back talk me constantly. it's so aggravating at times, but i think i found a way for them to actually do what they are supposed to. i threatened to take out every game system in their room if it didn't stay clean and they knew i meant it to, so they got right on it today. LOL! maybe you should try that. God bless