Is anyone else frustrated by the power video games can have over your children? When my oldest was first born, I swore I’d wait until he was 2 before I’d let him watch TV much less play video games. We read lots of books, painted, cooked and played outside.
Then came Baby Einstein. Yep. The first of that memorable video collection was a blessing to a mother who was probably just shy of losing her mind. Watching the videos always cracked me up. The music, the cheesy half-hidden-hand holding the toy or bouncing a puppet before some scared child trying to appear happy. Each new video came with a snazzier more professional look and a promise of a few moments of peace for me. I say peace as if my life was crazy, which it really wasn’t, but I guess I needed a little break. Soon, we began to meet all kinds of imaginary and annoying little characters on PBS. Our cold winter indoors had become a little more manageable with the addition of our new friend, the television.
When asked by friends if or when I planned to buy my son’s first video game and what would it be, I would tell them that I didn’t see one in his future. At the very earliest might be at ten.
Well, much to my chagrin, when my 33 year-old brother was ready to upgrade to a new gaming system, he so kindly offered his up to my poor deprived children – in front of them. You can imagine the excitement on their faces and the disdain on mine. At this point the oldest was 7. It wasn’t well received when I suggested we wait three years to accept the kind gift.
Suffice it to say; I now realize why I was so opposed. It has the potential to become a serious brain trap if you let it. At first, I had a rule for the amount of time allowed to play per day. Then, I realized that more and more time was being requested and spent on the games. Honestly, if I let them, I think my kids would just camp-out in front of the TV to play games.
What I find frustrating is that, we have all these wonderful toys to play with in a lovely playroom, an unfinished basement where they play hockey and outdoor play equipment for summer. We have books galore too. And yet, I’m told (daily) that there’s nothing to do in our house. Apparently everyone else’s house is more fun, the 2-year old annoys the older guys too much and the video games are the solution to all their boredom woes.
I feel that it’s me against the Playstation and the Wii. Oh, did I mention…we have a Wii too. They’d been asking for one and I told them, “no problem, save your money” thinking they’ll never really have enough. Well…holidays and birthdays, they were on a mission. They bought one in November. They try to convince me to use it for longer time periods by telling me its exercise. I suggest they go outside instead.
I hate to be the mean mom, but I just think that there are better things to do, am I wrong? How do you feel about video games?
By Renee Martinez, Founder of Raising Boys World
