See I dont pause, I feel thats bad...cause it stunts the tama's growth. I leave mine on and then clean up the mess when I get back...its OK, too. I leave it in my locker for 3 hours in the morning, play with it an hour, and put it back in my locker for 2 more hours. It is on its second generation...you just have to clean up what happened when you see it...I never got a masketchi..well I did but not on the one I leave in my locker.