Do Your Kids Play Too Much Video Games?

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This post goes out to my fellow Parents & Guardians of children who fall into the category, affectionately intended, VIDEO GAME FREAKS.  After years of struggle, I have found some other great things that my kids enjoy and I am going to share.

First, let’s talk about video games.  What’s the big deal?  I loved playing Pac Man and Tetris growing up, didn’t you?

Well for starters, the kids aren’t playing Pac Man and Tetris.  Or table tennis, jai alai, or super breakout.  If we’re lucky they are playing some variety of Super Mario Bros.  But even then, the game addiction is strong.  In the case of my Son, the more shooting and fighting there is involved, the better.  I do not allow games that are rated “M” to be played in my house.  The exception being a spy game that he plays with my husband.  But even Hubby gives me a hard time about this rule.  He believes the games are all fine and that I am being overprotective.

Is it fine, really, for my kid to play a game that involves shooting cops and picking up hookers while he races his car through the streets?  Is that all in good fun?  Not gonna happen under my roof.  I get a twitch, as it is, when I hear some of the language (mild, teenager trash talk) spouting from the Tony Hawk skateboard games.  And the famous excuse I always hear from my Son and other parents is, “it is just bloody. No big deal.”  AS IF that is my criteria for what is and is not appropriate.

I wonder why people, Hubs included, think it is okay for kids to take part in video games and movies where heads are being blown of and people are being torn limb from limb by various bad guys/monsters/aliens etc.  But then they freak out over an “F bomb”.  No kidding, my husband will come out and lecture me on MY standards because I am watching a meaningful, thought provoking movie with my kids that has a bit of language but he thinks that all the blood and guts under the sun is going to settle healthily into their psyches.

ANYWAY!  I strayed a bit, didn’t I?

My Son is 13 now and my daughter is 9.  She seems to be appropriately interested in Mario games.  I am smarter this time around and I have been sure to enforce limits and make sure she engages in other things so she doesn’t forget about the other activities she loves.  My Son’s situation is more complicated.  We went wrong in the beginning, mainly from Hubby and I not seeing eye to eye on the need for limits and variety.  So trying to find other things he loves to do after the video game bug has already bitten hard has been tough.  But here is what we have come up with…

  • Both of my kids love Magnetix/Magnexts and will forget about video games all day long if we dump the whole bucket out and let their imaginations run rampant through the living room.  A little more costly is the Magnext roller coaster. But I have to say it is worth it.  We have tried and given up on many of the big themed kits that come along with Legos and Bionicles, etc.  But this one is awesome!
  • Any kind of magnets, in fact, keep  my kids busy.  You know, those really strong ones that work through your hand or a table and you can do all kinds of cool stuff with them.  Find them at the Discovery type stores.
  • BENDAROOS!  Don’t be afraid of them.  We, too, were disappointed by the likes of FLOAM and MOON SAND, but the Bendaroos have been getting a workout since Christmas.  Not messy, easy to play with and you will like it too.  I made the coolest duck!
  • Rubik’s cube.  My Son got the regular cube and the electronic one for Christmas and one of the two of them has been in his hand almost constantly.  More often the regular one.  It was a gamble.  He didn’t say he wanted it but I remembered how much I liked it as a kid and put it in his stocking.  Big hit!
  • Arts and crafts.  This is more of a girl thing at our house.  We set my daughter up with a painting easel and all the supplies (Thanks Granny!) and when she is down there with her palette and apron on, Mario himself could walk by and I don’t think she’d bat an eye. :-)
  • Multi game table.  This was a great buy.  It has table tennis, air hockey, chess, checkers, soccer,and I don’t know what else.  We all love it.  We didn’t buy a super cheap one but I did shop around for the best bargain and although this one does the job, if I had it to do again I would spend a little more.  The air in the air hockey doesn’t work that great and the table is a little small for table tennis for me and Hubby.  But the kids love it and get a little exercise playing it.  SUCCESS!

So that’s what has been working for me.  Your own kids have their own tastes, of course, and you have to find what they love enough to get their mind of the games, but these items have worked wonders for us.

Please share any of your kids favorite activities and video game distractions!


18 thoughts on “Do Your Kids Play Too Much Video Games?”

  1. I have two “gamers” in my family, my son (now 24) and one of my daughters (now 29). Watching these two over the years, play their video games has been a very interesting learning experience for me.

    My son, like yours, got into the blow em up, shoot em up, stealing and fighting games, and still loves them today. Was this a bad thing … not sure. My son is quite a passive person in life and shies away from any type of violence. Maybe he gets to act out any aggression in his games.Did it have any upside to it … yes.

    My son got bored of these games and developed an interest in any game requiring strategy (like Sim City). I have been amazed at the level of planning and strategizing that he is now capable of.

    He has also developed master level skills in many games and can easily challenge others on the internet.

    So, to me the good news is that these games have enabled him to develop excellent life skills.

    My daughter although a “gamer” as well, was not at all interested in the violent games. She loves any games that can be considered brain teasers. She is so good at these, that I can’t even begin to compete with her.

    For me, I think that it was most important for us to participate in the gaming with our children. They knew what we liked and didn’t like about each game, and it allowed for open conversations about the games.

    I guess bottom line is that you really need to do what feels right for you and your family.

    Go easy on your hubby.

    The Pet Gate Guy

  2. I may not be a parent but I feel that I should comment anyway. I use to play lots of video games when I was younger and I must say it has helped me greatly in life.

    Now before you start to laugh and say that I’m lying or joking, let me say that there are two types of games out there. There are just brainless shoot ‘em ups, button mashing games and there are reading based, problem solving games. I’ve played tons of games where you had to use your brain. BIG TIME. No matter how many times I would lose, I started to develop problem solving skills and a NEVER give up attitude.

    So please don’t look at all games as bad or a waste of time. There are some really really good ones.

    Even now, I

  3. I know where you are coming from, but I disagree. I remember many years ago when GTA: Vice City came out, my mom wouldn’t let me have it for so long, although she finally did give in. However, it was a really fun game and it didn’t transfer over in to real life. I know that killing people and such is a horrible thing, but this is a game, and it’s not real. I don’t play video games too often anymore, though, but back then it was certainly fun.

  4. My Kids are not that big,I hope they don’t go so much for video games I do prefer wooden toys but who nose what they will play when they group <a href=”http://playfuntoys.com/”Train Toys

  5. My son almost has all the newest video console.. from Nintendo 64 to PS3… He’s been very into video games that sometimes worried me much cos he might not be doing any outdoor activities anymore. But I’m glad that he’s been able to control him self and balance his indoor and outdoor activities. Great post BTW. :)

  6. Actually there are some good games these days that are suitable for everyone and wholesome. For example, Rockband, Guitar hero, Songstar, and Wii sports games are all good fun for ALL the family to enjoy.
    (I myself love car racing games like Grand Turismo)
    As for shootem up and Grand theft, they are banned.
    I would not personally ban video games because it creates a “forbidden fruit” syndrome. I would make sure that they are part of family circle stuff.
    Cheers

  7. I don’t have kids but I have a brother who is so into video games like Grand Auto-Theft San Andreas. My mom and I sometimes become very disgusted with how the game works. My brother would play as the auto-theft and he would beat the crap out of people who gets in his way. The player can also assault an officer and stab people. However, my brother loves it and treats the game just like NBA live or Mario Brothers.

    I think what you’re doing is great. Sometimes, we just have to divert and provide alternatives for them to have fun. I don’t think its easy to ban these games. However, if we really do not want them, we just have to stop buying them or avoid exposing our kids to these things.

  11. Interesting reading – thanks for this

    I don’t like children playing video games for hours on end although I have to add that there are some really great interactive/physical video games that you can get these days (which are great)

  12. My kid likes video games but he spend most of the time in front of TV. I think this is more dangerous and I have to change his habit

  13. Strange thing about habits of our kids are that they are doing it all the time. I have seen kids saying that they are spiderman or Superman, that is most shocking thing for me. I think games are much better because they need kids interaction. At least they are better than TV.

  14. I think video games can be detrimental if the child is too young and the game is too violent. So you need to really monitor what games your kids play.

  15. What a great post. I am so relieved to see that somebody is giving there children non-electronic toys and children are indeed enjoying them just as we were when we grew up. I am so against addictive video games. It’s really a subject of interest to me and I am constantly talking to moms trying to figure out WHY they give these things to their children. I guess, the saddest is that they tell me they just don’t have time for their children and this is the easiest way to keep them occupied. Make time for your children!

  16. A little video game from time to time is alright in my opinion. As long as the rating is appropriate for your kid’s age. Nonetheless, engaging them in other activities is the best way to go. Picking up a hobby is nice, especially if it involves the parents.

  17. I agree on “alternative” ways to have fun, but there is nothing wrong in playing games. When I was a kid I listen to “not so good” music and played “bloody” games, but my parents are the one who told me what is good and wrong. They only watched who my friends are, and where I hang out. I think they did a good job. i still play games. The wrong ones.