Video Games - Where To Draw the Line
I have to admit, when I look at the video games today compared to Pong, Megemania and Space Invaders of my day, I can honestly see where some parents get concerned over their kids playing them. Have you seen how graphic they are?
My two wanted Celebrity Death Match - first of all the name has these little parenting sirens going off in my head that don’t just scream no, they’re screaming HELL NO!
The other concern I have is that my kids will attempt to disappear into the dungeon basement for hours on end. In fact, since my husbands kids have come to live with us, we actually have to watch rather closely because two of our kids try to sneak into the basement when we think they’re outside - just to capture some quality time on the xBox.
Let me see, being in a cool dark basement or being outside in the sun and fresh air? Which one do you think I’m going to insist on?
When I was a kid we didn’t have too many things to occupy us inside the home so we had no choice but to go outside.
In fact, I played on concrete playgrounds - slid my bare legs down shiny metal slides in the blazing noontime sun - ate mud pies, skated on roller skates with metal wheels and NO brakes, owned at least three pair of Klick-klacks and had the bruises to show it and had at least 20 toads whiz on my hands in my lifetime and I turned out just fine!
Of course I knew I would be ok, my Magic 8-Ball told me I would.
Personally, I think more parents should be pushing their children out the door and forcing them to get creative with what’s available in the great outdoors - fresh air, a day chocked full of physical activity and sunshine never did hurt anyone.
Well, aside from the scar I have on my chin, the back of my head and the one broken arm, playing outside never did hurt me!
So what’s a parent to do? Do you let your kid play video games? What kind of rules, if any do you enforce when it comes to the games?
Tags: parenting, nanny, supernanny, video games, gaming, xBox
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POSTED IN: Parenting
2 opinions for Video Games - Where To Draw the Line
Char
Apr 11, 2007 at 7:00 am
So far, my kids are pretty well balanced. Yesterday there was some arguing over TV first thing in the morning and they lost TV privileges for the day (it’s spring break). I was surprised at how fast they found something else to do - like play outside.
Video games are fine in moderation and with violence guidelines in place.
tabbi
May 3, 2008 at 10:37 pm
My husband and I (who are practicly professional gamers) have decided that in our home, gaming is a privelge not a right! Meaning: school, physical health, and mental health come first. I’m planning on the “unschooling” method, a little different, but still, education is most important. Teaching our children to balance intrests with needs.
Let me say this, as one who worked for Block Buster Video, I TRIED MY DAMNDEST TO STOP PARENTS from letting their children rent inapropiriate games. I warned them “M IS FOR MATURE” (and your child surely is not….lol) I said “drugs, sex, and violence is what has made this game popular” Most parents would not listen…the more i pleaded (guess that was my mistake) the more they said “its just a videogame” “they just like to steal cars” “they dont see the sexual inuendo”….ROFL….how much parents underestimate their children, especially preteens and teens….
Lack of parenting…oblivious parents are the worst. They see their children on pedestals…and its those children who “get away with murder” so young, and feel like the world owes them. Who can blame a parent tho…for loving thier child so much, to want to keep them from harm….
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