I understand how frustrating it can be when you are asking your child to do something, and they consistently come back with wanting more time. Knowing why they do this can not only help improve your communication with them, but also improve their responsiveness to your requests. The answer to why they do this is simple, but changing the behavior will take some effort.

You see, you just need to understand.
Yep, that’s it.
Understand. Period.

You understand they are playing a video game, which, after all, is just a game. So why do you get so frustrated when they ask to play for one more minute when you understand they are playing a video game… Well, that’s the problem. You’re understanding something different. Your understanding of the situation is too simplistic. Your child puts a much greater importance on what they are doing in the game than you would think.

Haven’t you been into something that if at that exact moment it would crash, break, fail, fall apart or otherwise be destroyed could never be recovered again? Imagine having your laptop closed right as you are finishing an important email to your boss. Or watching the final minutes of the Super Bowl only to have someone accidentally unplug the TV. To your kids, video games are like that. Depending on the game, whatever they are about to earn, complete, or achieve, may require hours to redo if they are stopped now. Some games even impose a penalty on the account for sudden departures, which restricts certain portions of the game's function, and if done too many times could get the account banned completely.

So by you getting frustrated with the “one more…” and demanding an immediate closing, exit, or departure of the game, you might actually be causing your child’s creation or account harm. This will make them feel like you don't care about their interests, and will lead to them being more resistant to whatever you want them to do next. Instead of looking for an immediate response "time to get off!", give your kids 5 or 10 more minutes "5 more minutes and then you need to be done." This will allow them to get to a good transition point, which will leave them happier and more willing to do what you ask next. You can also use this as a learning tool to teach your child how to properly plan their day so they know what is expected of them for that day. If you have consistent time limits for screen time, help them learn to plan their play time accordingly, so they aren't caught in a tough spot.

Try learning about your child’s game and it’s various functions. Your relationship could be better because of it! Knowing the details of the game will allow you to set appropriate expectations, and help your kids feel like you are interested in something they like. They're happier, you're happier, everyone wins!