http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/off-topic/worst-present-ever/ Homeschooling gifted children in Boulder County, Colorado and the world Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:39:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/off-topic/worst-present-ever/#comment-36 elizabeth p Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:34:52 +0000 http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/off-topic/worst-present-ever/#comment-36 We have a son, Simon who was really pestering us to allow him to use the computer. We told him that when he was able to read and write he could learn about the computer and play some educational games. So at 3yrs old, he taught himself to read and write. When we followed through and allowed game play, and I mean Really tame "learning games", his behavior throughout that whole day, and sometimes the next, was awful. We still allow very small doses, very occasionally. He is 5 now and we don't watch TV. The only TV Simon has ever seen has been PBS at my mom’s. He is not well "versed" in the pace and style of modern movies, and when we have taken him to a movie in the theater the same surly behavior that he exhibits after computer game play comes out. We have not had the same response after video rentals, but this is probably due to the fact that they are movies primarily from the 80's or older, and the content is much more tame and less in-your-face. I have talked to other parents who have had similar experiences. Makes one wonder what a steady dose of the stuff does... We have a son, Simon who was really pestering us to allow him to use the computer. We told him that when he was able to read and write he could learn about the computer and play some educational games. So at 3yrs old, he taught himself to read and write. When we followed through and allowed game play, and I mean Really tame “learning games”, his behavior throughout that whole day, and sometimes the next, was awful. We still allow very small doses, very occasionally. He is 5 now and we don’t watch TV. The only TV Simon has ever seen has been PBS at my mom’s. He is not well “versed” in the pace and style of modern movies, and when we have taken him to a movie in the theater the same surly behavior that he exhibits after computer game play comes out. We have not had the same response after video rentals, but this is probably due to the fact that they are movies primarily from the 80’s or older, and the content is much more tame and less in-your-face. I have talked to other parents who have had similar experiences. Makes one wonder what a steady dose of the stuff does…

]]> http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/off-topic/worst-present-ever/#comment-9 Loralee Sat, 12 Jan 2008 17:55:10 +0000 http://www.giftedhomeschool.net/off-topic/worst-present-ever/#comment-9 ooooh, yes! My kids each have their own DS lite, plus we got a Wii for Christmas. They pretty much had free reign with the video games during Christmas break. When we tried to go back to our old routine, which has video only on weekends, there wasn't as much the grouchiness, but lethargy. I have never heard so many complaints of "I'm bored!" and "There is nothing to do!' (something that is NEVER heard here normally). I said, "So, it has come to this has it?....looks like we require a video game detox program". It is really like weaning the kids off a drug. Now that we have finished our first "back-to-school" week (with no video games), things are *almost* back to normal. ooooh, yes! My kids each have their own DS lite, plus we got a Wii for Christmas. They pretty much had free reign with the video games during Christmas break. When we tried to go back to our old routine, which has video only on weekends, there wasn’t as much the grouchiness, but lethargy. I have never heard so many complaints of “I’m bored!” and “There is nothing to do!’ (something that is NEVER heard here normally). I said, “So, it has come to this has it?….looks like we require a video game detox program”. It is really like weaning the kids off a drug. Now that we have finished our first “back-to-school” week (with no video games), things are *almost* back to normal.

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