Comments on: Parenting and Taming The Video Game Monster http://www.more4kids.info/539/video-game-monster/ More4kids is a Parenting resource dedicated to helping encourage children's intellectual and emotional growth. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:02:04 +0000 hourly 1 By: K T Cat http://www.more4kids.info/539/video-game-monster/#comment-75613 K T Cat Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:06:39 +0000 http://www.more4kids.info/539/video-game-monster/#comment-75613 I've tried a variant of this, but I've got one I like better. I used to give my kids coupons for 30 minutes of video screen (TV or video games) every weekday and 60 minutes each weekend day that they could save up and spend any way they wanted. It worked well. We've gone through some traumas recently that have led me to relax this, but the effect was good while we did it. If you predicate games on actions, then you're likely to get a surly and hasty job done so they can rush to the games. You're placing an obstacle between them and the games and the obstacle is going to be surmounted in the easiest and quickest way possible. I totally agree with the homework before games, though. I've tried a variant of this, but I've got one I like better. I used to give my kids coupons for 30 minutes of video screen (TV or video games) every weekday and 60 minutes each weekend day that they could save up and spend any way they wanted. It worked well. We've gone through some traumas recently that have led me to relax this, but the effect was good while we did it.

If you predicate games on actions, then you're likely to get a surly and hasty job done so they can rush to the games. You're placing an obstacle between them and the games and the obstacle is going to be surmounted in the easiest and quickest way possible.

I totally agree with the homework before games, though.

]]> By: Bee http://www.more4kids.info/539/video-game-monster/#comment-70703 Bee Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:36:35 +0000 http://www.more4kids.info/539/video-game-monster/#comment-70703 As I sahd/childminder/ex-teacher who himself grew up with a geeky-pa, I thought I had a handle on this video game thingy. Until the then three year old introduced me to 'The Night Garden' on cBeebies. There was his face face floating around the screen via the web cam; I double checked and it was all done locally, but I had to reappraise my thoughts on games as an interconnected media. There's been a shift in gaming; when I was a kid it was one computer, one child, grainy graphics, one darkened room, and possibly not too healthy though I don't seem too damaged. Now its up to 4 kids on a console, connected up to the world through shiny visuals, and sometimes on the laptop out in the sunshine. I've taken the plunge and now play PG rated games alongside the boys, but then I'm lucky enough to be able to make such a time. We go on line and wander virtual worlds together when its raining, or the park when its not. It leaves me to wonder what they'll do when a shift from their own kids comes along. As I sahd/childminder/ex-teacher who himself grew up with a geeky-pa, I thought I had a handle on this video game thingy. Until the then three year old introduced me to 'The Night Garden' on cBeebies. There was his face face floating around the screen via the web cam; I double checked and it was all done locally, but I had to reappraise my thoughts on games as an interconnected media.

There's been a shift in gaming; when I was a kid it was one computer, one child, grainy graphics, one darkened room, and possibly not too healthy though I don't seem too damaged. Now its up to 4 kids on a console, connected up to the world through shiny visuals, and sometimes on the laptop out in the sunshine.

I've taken the plunge and now play PG rated games alongside the boys, but then I'm lucky enough to be able to make such a time. We go on line and wander virtual worlds together when its raining, or the park when its not. It leaves me to wonder what they'll do when a shift from their own kids comes along.

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