Easter's Lilly

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Games and our children

Have you opened the window and let the devil in? Sometimes that’s how I feel about the gaming system my children have talked us into buying them. Before games I would find my boys all over the house, in all kinds of positions, reading books by the dozen.  “Mom, can you buy me the new Rick Riordan book?” or “Mommy, I need the new Goosebumps book!” Now it’s, “Why can’t I get the new Black Ops game?” Yuck! Where did all the reading go? How do we re-stimulate their minds?


My generation didn’t really have games. We played pinball or packman (yes, I realize I’m dating myself) but it was never the priority it has become today. With summer approaching, I suspect I had better start some kind of reading program at home or look for one at a local library. It is an inevitable part of life, nowadays. Technology is rapidly taking over our society. How to get the games under control…still a work in progress.

10 comments:

  1. I believe that games, any kind are extraordinarily important. Interestingly on facebook there was a conversation about all the pressure that kids are putting on themselves, be-it self-induced or reaction to what is expected of them at school and transcended via their parents, our children are dealing with a huge amount of stress. They need their down time too! Plus, many of the games teach them, even if they don't realize it at the time.

    My children read more and more every year, and still also play WII games. At the same time are just as interested in board games and their school projects. As parents, we need to help balance their lives so NOT one thing prevails over another.

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  2. Games over Rick Riordan and R.L. Stine? Oh that's awful. I love Riordan and I grew up reading Stine.

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  3. Hey Judy! I'm really looking forward to reading your books! I'm into two at the moment but as soon as I"m finished I'll get right to Easter's Lilly! Please stop by the prairie to +like me, comment and follow along as I continue to write the story of my journey to Montana. Be well, and happy!
    Susie

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  4. Mindy, interesting perspective. I love to get opinions form people that are different from my own. There is always something new to learn.

    Kelly, I'm with you on that one. Reading over games any day, any time.

    Susie, I will stop by your blog and check our the the journey. Thank you so much for your interest. I hope you enjoy the read!

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  5. We refused to get our daughter a gaming system when she was younger, much to the shock and snide comments of friends and family.

    Instead we focused on creativity with writing, drawing, reading, playing piano, singing, etc. Most people I knew back then used Nintendo and PlayStation as babysitters. Now our daughter is a professional artist with film credit.

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  6. Shawn, that is an inspiring story. We are a very creative house hold as well. I sing and play guitar and before we had a gaming system, one boy played piano, one played a little guitar and one the conga drums. My husband often threatens to take it away. Sometimes I think we should. They are all A students and very well mannered, so we let them keep it. If that ever changes he will for sure remove the system.

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  7. Judy, I'm sad to read about this. I grew up playing video games AND reading. Since I was the baby in my household and we only had one system, we had to share. So that really left me with a lot of down time, which I filled with reading. I've enjoyed reading since I was small. I've also enjoyed gaming since I was a child! I work at Gamestop and Family Video now, so not only do I watch lots of movies and play tons of video games, I still find the time to read. I even listen to audio books in my car!

    My point is really that there really can be a balance in their lives if THEY want it. If you take the console away in the hopes of making them read more, then I really think you run the risk of them seeing reading as a punishment and the console as a reward. Still, no one knows your children better than you. I'm confident that you will figure out how to deal with this situation in the best way. I just wanted to share my own experiences with you in hopes that it might help!

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  8. Peastew,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. We have reached a compromise with them that we feel will be mutually beneficial. They are really good, well-behaved boys, and we don't want to change that, so we are all working together. We have tried to explain to them that balance is the key and I think they finally get that. I am so glad you shared your experience with us. It gives me hope!

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  9. Awesome stuff. Hey, in case you don't recognize me, it's Paula Stewart :)

    I think it's really great that you are able to sit them down and talk to them about it. I hope that your compromise works out!

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  10. Hi Paula, no I did not recognize you, how funny. Yes, things are going well. Good to hear from you.

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