“Yes”, says mother of two, Marla Jo Fisher. At 18 months, I am not fighting the video game battle with my son yet, but I know it is just a matter of time. I grew up, spending several hours everyday playing Pitfall or Space Invaders on the Atari 2600…so many hours my thumb would be numb from gripping the controllers. Then, graduated to Intellivision. Then, to the Sony Playstation – Hockey 95! After college, I fell out of love with video games. So, no X-Box or Wii to speak of on my end. My wife would probably throw it out the window anyway as she detests video games. As a parent, I can understand why there is a need to limit the amount of hours our children play video games – mentally, socially, and physically. This is why I found the NY Post article, Wii’re Turning Kids to Zombies, written by mommy blogger Marla Jo Fisher, so darn refreshing. Here is a mother that fantasized about having her kids’ friends over often, having them “crowded around the kitchen counter demanding pizza nuggets”, and being known as the “fun house.” However, since they are the only house in the hood with no video games and considered “freakish aliens from space”, their house is usually empty of kids.
I really enjoyed when Fisher rants on about “what are kids who play Grand Theft Auto learning?” – how to be carjackers, how to be pursued by police.” So true, but the game is extremely popular with both kids and adults.
Parents- What is your stance on allowing kids to play video games? Are you so extreme where it is not allowed in your house at all, like Fisher in the article? Is it allowed, but with controlled limits? Do you still play video games? If so, do you end up with your child as a bowling opponent in Wii…or is o.k. for dad to play, but not for kids?
I allow quite a bit of video games in our house. I see what people say about them making kids a bit anti-social, but when there’s a brother to play with or you can make it into a family activity i don’t see that being much of an issue. I loved them as a kid (even programmed a few) and I think my boys will benefit from the cognitive stimulus as well. of course, they have to learn social skills as well. That’s probably where most parents have a problem. They’re afraid their kids will become unbalanced. Legitimate fear I suppose.
Grand theft auto game is a good game but should be played under PG. In some way video games are an interesting cure to boredom but when played too much it becomes an addiction. Kids should not be allowed to play video games every time maybe 2 hours a day. I actually play video games as old as i am now…its quite a hobby…..great post
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