VIDEO GAMES?? Is it right or wrong??

[Reurra]

Videogames.

Are they a must for kids? I let my sons play Warcraft for a month to see what they would do. Their school work went into the pits, and so I took it away. After 1 week of no video games, the teachers, (who I speak to regularly because I do volunteer work there), said whatever I did, KEEP DOING IT!! because their school work had improved!

I recently had a talk with a school child care worker in an off hand conversation while doing my volunteer duties and mentioned we dont allow video games any more. We dont own a TV either and I think she didnt like either. The kids can draw, play legos, go outside, go the the neighbors house, listen to music on their iPods or whatever, but we dont do video games or TV. There are plenty of activities, like going out and visiting the chickens. We even got a puppy! They can play with her! We have a cat too, she is young and loves to play chase, they can do that too!

(I cant afford some of the game consoles or subscription games, thats another reason I dont allow them)

So do you guys not allow video games?

Do you feel it is detrimental to your childs development that they dont get video games?

Has our society come to the point where they believe that in the last 30 years it is necessary for a childs development to have these things? or even TV?

Is it considered abusive for parents to denying kids video games or TV?

 

[Tomtommom]

My ex-husband played World of Warcraft so much, it was partially to blame for our divorce.

It's pretty simple. There are two kinds of games: casual games and games that require dedication. The first is ok, the second can ruin your life.

I would not recommend games like World of Warcraft for any school age child. It WILL take over their life. Same thing for games that have "achievements" like things on Xbox live or of a competitive nature. They can play ACTUAL games and sports if they wish to compete: chess, checkers etc.

Games that aren't as bad are casual games. Anything Mario, Sonic, puzzle games etc. Pokemon is a bit of a gray area.. It can be addictive, but it's much easier to put down than things like World of Warcraft.

My four year old loves playing Sonic, but I limit the time he can play. Same as watching TV. He has got to play with toys and run outside too, and he has to do his homework/chores/eat dinner, or no games/TV.

It can be a great reward for a job well gone, but it should never take over their life.

At some point in my life I lived in my bedroom, playing games. I am 30 now and a mom of two. Feel free to message me if you want to know if a particular game is appropriate.

 

[Reurra]

Thanks for your reply!

Thats another thing, what chores are appropriate for kids? Thats a debate too i get from a lot of parents.

My kids have their DS games machines and iPods for music. They have Monopoly and puzzles too. They just got some craft stuff from their aunt for drawing and painting. I make them go outside.

But the real debate i was having was whether or not denying them video games altogether was abuse? Albeit they have thier DS thingies with about 10 games each, my debate is not letting them play video games at all, is that wrong?

I think our generation was the first to really experience video games, so I have a hard time seeing it as abuse to not let my kids play them. Its not required for them to grow up healthy and happy. For 10,000 years humans didnt ahve them, but suddenly in the last 30 years its considered abuse to take them away?

Atari and stuff was new 30 years ago and coin machines in arcades were the place to go play and hang out with friends. Ive watched it change from when i was a kid to something where people dont leave their homes at all. They get lazy and over weight playing something rather than keeping active and doing the things that responsible people do, ie chores and homework for kids, job and relationships for adults.

 

[cafarmgirl]

As with anything else moderation and parental supervision is key. And no, it's not abuse if you decide that video games or tv are not going to be part of your household.

My kids play some video games and, since I buy them, I know what they are playing and what I will and will not allow. They also know that they have a limited amount of time per day to play and that the minute their grades slip or daily chores are not kept up the games will disappear.

What chores are appropriate depends on age. Mine start at a very young age with keeping their room picked up, sorting laundry, setting the table, things like that. As they get older they move on to taking care of their animals, keeping the barn clean, various yard work etc. Everybody in the family contributes to the daily function of the household. I want my kids to grow up to be responsible, contributing members of society and in my view being responsible for chores every day as a child is a step in that direction.

 

[Criskin]

But the real debate i was having was whether or not denying them video games altogether was abuse? Albeit they have thier DS thingies with about 10 games each, my debate is not letting them play video games at all, is that wrong?

I don't think it is abuse at all! Of course, a lot of children would disagree.

My 7 year old isn't really interested in the Xbox or my PC but he loves playing games on the iPad. Of course, he also spends a lot of time outside with the dogs, inside with the cat, reading and playing imaginative games with his toys. Since it is only a part of his life, and not the focus of it, I don't mind it. I'm of the opinion that any time something cosumes a big chunk of your free time, to the detriment of physical activity and relationships, it should be eliminated. I love gaming myself (I play Warcraft) but only when the kids at school, asleep, and my chores and housework is done, etc.

I'm fairly lenient on chores but I don't necesarily think that is a good thing. Of course, my son is expected to keep his room clean and pick up after himself, but I'm one of those people who has to have things done a certain way so I'd rather do most things myself. He actually asks to take out the garbage and gather eggs, and doesn't really consider those chores. I think one of his biggest unspoken responsibilities, and the one that helps me the most, is keeping his little brother entertained while I cook and clean!

 

[Tomtommom]

My four year old LOVES to help. He actually knows how to sort laundry, load and unload the (frontload) washer and the dryer and he enjoys doing it. I pour the detergent and adjust the settings, he gets to push the start button. I can ask him to check our rooms for dirty laundry, and he will go get it and put it in the right bins. I am teaching him why we separate laundry, and I teach him bleach only goes with white clothes etc. It will help him later in life. Let's face it, how many college guys know how to do laundry?

He brings his cup and plate to the kitchen when he's done, throw away trash.. Keeping toys organized is more of a rule than a chore. Before we go to bed, all toys must be put away.

The only real "chore" he has is feeding the cats. He looks every day if they have food, if not, he gives them kibble.

I tried teaching him how to make his bed, but that one was above his skill level. We'll try again later.

I try to not force things too much, just take something they already enjoy doing and have it become their chore.

As he gets older he will get more responsibilities, but for his age he is very responsible. He enjoyed bringing diapers and holding the bottle when we had his little brother, now he checks on him if he cries, and has learned to gently take things away, and come get me if it's something he can't fix. It's all guided by him, not by me, I would not force these things. He just steps up and wants to help. We must allow kids to be kids as well, they need to know all aspects of life.

Personally, I grew up without a lot of things the other kids had, and some of it did make me a bit of a target for other kids.. but I do appreciate the things I have as an adult that much more. I think the electronic craze has grown out of control. I will not participate with most of it (never owned an I-anything, pod, pad, phone whatever..). I do not buy the newest model if the older model isn't broke. We have one TV and it's in the living room, PBS has been instrumental with my son's speech delay. I buy items with a distinct purpose: phones are used for calls, not games, internet etc. I would not downright "outlaw" video games, it's better to treat them casually as "just another toy" and encourage active play. On a rainy day it can be wonderful to just unwind with a game, just like one would with a book. There's no purpose in banning them, as long as they're not abused. Banning anything just alienates kids.

 

[bamachicks8]

no its not abuse but i would probably let them have some educational video games nothing like world of war craft that way you can have your cake and eat it to as far as chores anything they can(age appropriate) do should be fine but i wouldn't give them so many as to interfere with study time etc but a Little hard work is good for kids my five year old has to keep her room clean feed the cats the fish the inside dog she likes to wash dishes(supervised of course) help with laundry help cook etc of course the only one she is required to do is keep her room and toy room clean all the others she just likes to do and she will be responsible for taking care of the new baby chicks(well at least that's what i told her that it was her job to take care of her chicks it gives her a sense of responsibility)

 

[bamachicks8]

My ex-husband played World of Warcraft so much, it was partially to blame for our divorce.

It's pretty simple. There are two kinds of games: casual games and games that require dedication. The first is ok, the second can ruin your life.

I would not recommend games like World of Warcraft for any school age child. It WILL take over their life. Same thing for games that have "achievements" like things on Xbox live or of a competitive nature. They can play ACTUAL games and sports if they wish to compete: chess, checkers etc.

i broke up with an bf over this it was insane what that game can do

 

[Souperchicken]

I had cousins when I was growing up that all they did was play computer games. We would visit them once a year and they wouldn't even come out of their rooms to play with us, only to eat and then go back in their dark rooms. They were so grossly caught up in their games. So sad This was over 20 years ago before the advanced type games even came out. It left a deep impression on me. I think most of these eletronic games have the potential to be addicting when moderation isn't practiced and mixed with certain personality types.

I remember when I got my first computer and it had solitare and spider card games on it. I could spend way more time than I should have just mindlessly flipping cards and trying to win. When I got bored it was the first thing I would think of doing. I eventually decided not to do it anymore. When I joined facebook, I got caught up in Farmtown and wasted hours trying to maintain an imaginary farm. It was ridiculous and I decided never to play computer/electronic games again. And I haven't since. They are such a waste of time with no redeeming value, in my opinion.

We don't have electronic games in our home, although one of my son's friends gave him one, but the kids rarely use it. We also rarely watch TV.

Our kids recently received I-pads through their school. My son told me yesterday that almost everyone is playing games on their I-pads in the mornings. When he discribed how most of the kids were silently sitting against the hall walls and playing games before school, it sounded almost eerie to me.
I am disappointed that our school allows the kids to play games on them during free time in class. My kids only have educational games, but a lot of the others don't.
Anyway, off my soap box now.

I think it is important for parents to regulate videogames.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

No matter what things your child does, if it is new to them then yes it is exciting and everything else will seem less important. Think of things that excite you. For example, when I ordernew chicks. The day before I know they are going to arrive, things get forgotten around the house because I am too excited and busy making sure everything is perfect and ready for the new arrivals. Once they are here the first couple days are the same way. After that I start dividing my time and getting back to normal routine.
With kids it is all in how you raise your children. Do they have respect for others and themselves, do they have morals, do they have punishments for things they need it for, do they understand right from wrong and do they have a good work ethic? My 14 year old is an avid video game player. He is a brilliant young man and is doing great in school. When he gets a game he has been wanting of course he wants to stay up for hours and play it . We have no problem with letting him play his heart out as long as his chores, and homework are done first and then he gets to play. Only on the weekends do I let him play until he drops. During school week he has a time to be off and he follows those rules.
I think it is all in how you raise your child. That goes for ANTYHTHING, drugs, schoolwork, guns, etc. Teach your children the right way to handle things. Give him or her the tools they need to control themselves and situations. They can surprise you.