One of the most difficult areas to navigate raising children in this era is deciding how much to allow them to play video games, play on the computer and watch TV. My parents didn't have to deal with this. We had one TV and the only time there was children programming was on Saturday morning and it was over by 11:00 a.m.. At night we only got 3 channels (1 was fuzzy) and the programming was geared towards the adults. Once in a while a movie, like The Great Escape or The Wizard of Oz, was on that got our interest but only on Friday or Saturday nights and we had to endure Lawrence Welk first.
My children were born in the beginning of the era where there were many things to entertain them. We had videos and cable TV. The video games were invented in the late 70's and early 80's but not everyone had one. My boys started bothering me to get them a gaming system before my oldest was 10 but I refused. I felt that people were using these items to babysit their children. Now, believe me, I wasn't the perfect mom, if there is one I would like to meet her. I was known to let my children watch movies over and over again. I could probably recite Rescuers Down Under by memory, and I really don't know how many times we watched Star Wars but if I never see it again I would be happy (I'll probably get a dirty look from my son's over that comment). But the one thing I held out on was the gaming systems.
I would make my boys go outside and play in the dirt and told them that an imagination was important. Sometimes they got so dirty and muddy we would have to spray them off with the hose before they came in the house. At first I didn't want them to play war so I didn't buy them guns or swords but being boys they made those items out of sticks. They had a fort and they would play for hours outside. They have some good memories of their childhood. They rode bikes and when they were old enough they started riding things with motors. Did they get hurt? Yes, we have been to the emergency room for stitches, broken bones, dislocated elbows, etc. But, I wouldn't have done it any other way. They are tough, smart, and full of fun.
It is much more exhausting to parent in today's age. There are more parents who both work and then when you get home you have to cook a healthy dinner, help with homework, get the kids cleaned up and to bed. Some parents have only a 3 to 4 hour window of time to do that. And a lot of kids play sports so you have to fit in practice somewhere. Even when one of the parents works part time it is difficult. But, I would challenge the parents to "Press the Pause Button" and not let the video games, movies and cable TV babysit your kids. Stop what you are doing and go out and practice their sports or go to the creek and find bugs, or take a hike and identify plants and trees. Don't take your cell phone with you when you do these things or if you do, turn it off and use it only for emergencies. Kids emulate their parents and technology fascinates them. Unplug and connect with them on their level.
Go camping but make a rule that they can't bring their hand held games, computers or cell phones. Challenge them to find things to do. When they are bored go on a hike or a bike ride, wear them out - they sleep better at night. I realize that it is tough to make these rules and follow them but it is so worth it, you get to know your children better and you experience life through their eyes.
They did get the gaming systems eventually but had to buy them themselves. Don't even get me started on policing the games they would borrow and bring home from their friends that were not age appropriate. Wow, I just can't believe some of the things that parents have to police nowadays. And most of the parents play video games so they already own the systems, it adds a whole new level to "Do what I say, not what I do".
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