Electronic Childhood
Kids these days are all about computer games. Wii, PSP, iPhone. Nigel keeps asking "Mummy/Daddy, can I play with your phone" whenever he has nothing to do. It's becoming a bad habit, and we try to stop it - he fights back with crying and stomping, but we don't give in.
I remember it wasn't too long ago when I was the one who voluntarily let him have my phone to play with, thinking it was part entertainment, part educational, part brain/reaction skills-building. And a part of me still believes there must be something to learn, some benefits in playing these games.
But when it becomes an addiction and takes priority over finishing up schoolwork or other important things, then that's where we have to step in. If it replaces good social behavior like having a conversation, engaging with others or just sitting still and reading, then it probably needs to be looked at. Bad eyesight aside, these games have the potential to take over a child's life and his perception of reality. Celest says it almost like a drug. When you take the game away from him (let's say Animal Kaiser), he starts to react like an addict who has been denied his dope.
I'm trying to turn it around to use it as an incentive. To use the games as a carrot while I have the opportunity. In the future it might have to be cash, clothes, furniture, vehicles - but right now, 30 mins on the Wii is just the cost of electricity.
I remember it wasn't too long ago when I was the one who voluntarily let him have my phone to play with, thinking it was part entertainment, part educational, part brain/reaction skills-building. And a part of me still believes there must be something to learn, some benefits in playing these games.
But when it becomes an addiction and takes priority over finishing up schoolwork or other important things, then that's where we have to step in. If it replaces good social behavior like having a conversation, engaging with others or just sitting still and reading, then it probably needs to be looked at. Bad eyesight aside, these games have the potential to take over a child's life and his perception of reality. Celest says it almost like a drug. When you take the game away from him (let's say Animal Kaiser), he starts to react like an addict who has been denied his dope.
I'm trying to turn it around to use it as an incentive. To use the games as a carrot while I have the opportunity. In the future it might have to be cash, clothes, furniture, vehicles - but right now, 30 mins on the Wii is just the cost of electricity.