Stopping Early Morning Gaming with Hubitat: A Creative Solution

Hey everyone! I’m here to share a fun and effective solution to a common household challenge—stopping our tech-savvy kids from waking up too early and gaming or watching YouTube before the crack of dawn. This problem started for us during COVID when we set up a mini gaming station in our son’s room for online school. Initially, we tried restricting access and implementing punishments, but it just wouldn’t stick. Our son admitted he was willing to take the risk for the reward—those early morning gaming sessions were just too tempting!After trying various methods like removing cables nightly (which was a hassle and not foolproof), I turned to Hubitat for a smarter solution. Here’s what I came up with:**The Solution:**I decided to use Hubitat to automate the power cutoff in our son’s room. The idea was to replace all power outlets in his room with Z-Wave or Zigbee-controlled outlets that I could shut off after 7 PM. This way, even if he tried to game or watch videos, the devices would simply not have power.**The Challenge:**Finding the right outlets was tricky. Most smart outlets only allow one outlet to be controlled at a time, but I needed both outlets in his room to be controlled simultaneously. After some research, I discovered that using a combination of smart plugs and careful placement could achieve the same effect. I opted for a set of reliable Z-Wave smart plugs that could be grouped together in the Hubitat app.**Implementation:**1. Setup: I installed the smart plugs in both outlets in his room. This meant any device plugged in would be controlled by Hubitat.2. Automation: I created a simple automation in Hubitat to turn off the plugs at 7 PM every night and turn them back on at 7 AM. This ensures he gets enough rest and can’t start gaming too early.3. Testing: I tested the setup thoroughly to make sure there were no loopholes. Even if he tried to unplug and replug devices, the automation would kick in and cut power again.**Outcome:**This solution has been a game-changer for our household. Our son now has a clear bedtime routine, and we no longer have to worry about him waking up too early. Plus, it’s been a great way to teach him about responsibility and the consequences of his actions.Tips for Others:- If you’re facing similar challenges, consider automating power cutoffs for devices in kids’ rooms.- Look for smart plugs or outlets that can be grouped together for simultaneous control.- Test your setup thoroughly to ensure it meets your needs.This project wouldn’t have been possible without the creative problem-solving community here. Thank you all for your inspiration and tips! If anyone has questions or needs help setting something similar up, feel free to reach out. Happy automating! :rocket: