All in the Family
Written by: Amy on November 6, 2009Anyone have kids who are addicted to video games? *raising hand*
Anyone have a hard time with this because you yourself are addicted as well? *raising hand*
Our “poor” kids are only allowed to play video games on weekend mornings. And we’re so mean, we don’t let them start until 10am, otherwise they would probably get up at the butt crack of dawn for the express purpose of playing video games. If we’d let them though? After school every day. After dinner every day. And for hours on the weekends. Of this I am certain.
Why? Because if I had nothing else I had to do, I might do the same. 
If I had no guilty conscience or deadline, I could wile away hours a day playing Sims or SimCity. Or Roller Coaster Tycoon. Or Zoo Tycoon. Or Word Racer. Or Bounce Out. Or Bejeweled. Or…okay, you probably get the picture. (I feel the need to say here, though, that I don’t touch ANY of these at all…except Word Racer, which is a 10-minute game…otherwise I would never meet a deadline. I miss Sims!)
And then there’s my husband. He’s addicted to World of Warcraft. He’ll play it for HOURS on the weekend when he has the chance. Last weekend he stayed up till 3 or so playing.
So…the kids come by it honestly, and because of that we’re probably too strict when it comes to how much they get to play, but I figure they’re 8 and 9 years old. Maybe they can become those kids who hardly ever look up from their games when they’re grouchy, hormonal teenagers and we don’t want to talk to them anyway?
So what about you…addicted to electronics in any way? Are your kids? What do you do about it? Are you over-strict about it or over-easy?
Happy weekend!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Multiplayer online… omg… the best. My brothers are worse. I remember one time, we took turns and played about 20 hours. Good times.
Currently my XBOX 360 lives with my sister’s family. My brother-in-law’s playing Madden 2010. I’m getting it back after NaNoWriMo. That’s too much of a temptation. Halo 3 ODST is my prize.
Have a great weekend everyone!
To the Wrimos good luck writing. I’ve got to catch up.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I definitely have a tendency to get very easily addicted to things–Bejeweled is my latest! My kids do love to play games, too, and we are kind of strict–generally the older two don’t play during the week unless all homework is done (including the stuff for weekend Chinese school). I do sometimes let the youngest play during the week in the afternoons before the others get home… On the weekends, we’re a little more relaxed and they can have at it on the Wii or on the computer at Webkinz World or one of the games installed…
*must NOT check Facebook….*
November 6th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Okay, I confess. I’m one of the weird ones. I *don’t* play video/computer games. *Warning! Showing my age here* Last time I was a video junkie was when Atari came out. (Anyone remember that old system?) Pacman, space invaders at the arcade, yeah I was there. But then I got out of it, and haven’t been back. I read, I cross stitch, I watch TV (just cancelled my cable, so nothing but DVDs from now on, though!)
My nephews, on the other hand, the oldest lives with me, are computer/video game addicts. So is my brother, his wife, and her daughter. They each have their own computers, and they sit and play for hours and hours, and hours!
I think one reason I *don’t* play is because I am aware it would become addictive. Quite frankly, I’m enough of an addict already with my Kindle and my cross stitching. I don’t have many free hours, and would rather do other things.
Yeah, I’m aware I’m a novelty. Funny thing is I’m considered the computer/technical nerd… ;>)But no games for me!
November 6th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Addicted to electronics…do computers count? Then i raise my hand… *G*
Our kids love games. They can talk about them like you wouldn’t believe, and really, it’s not a bad thing-the oldest loves castlevania and it’s inspired a serious curiosity for cryptozoology and all things Dracula related. So she’s reading more.
Because of her interest, my son is also interested in cryptids and that sort of thing.
I’m probably stricter than some. I want my kdis to do something other than play video games. They only get to play on weekends and only if they did good in school the week before, but they do love their games.
I’m only really addicted to the castlevania games and once I’ve been the latest, I’m done until the next one comes out.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I play on Facebook after months of my husband trying to get me on. That’s about all I have time for. Most of my kids do not have computers or gaming systems. They have better things to do with their time like play sports and work. They weren’t any different growing up. I guess we’re just too active of a family to sit around playing on a machine.
Terri