Parenthood and Gaming: Compatability?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Mars , did you miss the word "Tasty" in my post ?

Nope.

[Xiahou]

I just asked my kid what that stupid dog game is called... Nintendogs. Can you believe it?

Wiki even has it listed, look at this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendogs

I could scream.

I've actually played the game, it didn't really hold my interest, but it's very well done. FWIW, Nintendogs is a hugely popular game and for a time it was actually driving sales of DS systems maybe even contributing to the system's dominance, so it's no surprise that your kids would like it.

To tie that in with the original topic, the Nintendo DS would probably be an excellent choice for a gaming parent to get their fix in. Most games allow you to save and quit at virtually any time and even if you can't, just closing it puts it in sleep mode where you can safely leave it for hours without running out the batteries.

[Samurai Waki]

The DS has been a real lifesaver for me. When waiting in the Clinic Lobby while Mom watches the twins get a shot, or a health check-up... and of Course in my blasphemous ways, when I'm forced to attend Church, I usually sit in the very back pew farthest from the aisle, slip on my earbuds and play Zelda. Nintendogs never really interested me, I'm going to wait a couple of years before even considering getting a dog... a well behaved Cat is miles easier to take care of with two little kids.

[Vladimir]

Beirut , only buy your kids pets that are tasty .
The moment they neglect it cook it .

Yes. I'm sure you know all about cooking.

[Sarmatian]

It's simple really.

Just pretend they're not there and then they won't bother you in the least. They aren't there anyway, as humans I mean, only clinically but not consciously. Of course the critters need food and cuddling and all that, but if you want that done there are always some of these characters around to take care of it, I forgot what they're called. Women, that's it. Aha.

Won't work. Women today are smart. It's like they've got a mind of their own.

Apart from that, very good template.

[Caius]

You can also stay up all night playing RTW and taking care of the boy. The Lost Souls song may scare your baby, so whatever you do:
1)Take care of the baby
2)Take care of the army
3)Make sure he is fine
4)Make sure the army is fine
5)Make sure he has everything
6)Make sure you click the end turn button
And the list goes.

[pevergreen]

As a young person, and a frequent game player I urge new parents to not let the kids play games.

I am happy with my life, but I'm aware it could be so much better if I didnt spend half my time playing games on the PC or Wii or whatever.

If you do, strictly regulate it. Please.

[Husar]

My life could be so much boring if I didn't have any games to play, actually right now I don't feel like playing any and already I'm posting in this pathetic place, even thinking about opening a new topic.
I mean where are kids supposed to play nowadays? In the wilderness you have insects and other animals trying to eat them and in those concrete blocks we call cities one can hardly play.
Computers are the modern way to enjoy nature insect-free.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

No I really don't like insects a lot.

[Guillaume le Batard]

As a young person, and a frequent game player I urge new parents to not let the kids play games.

I am happy with my life, but I'm aware it could be so much better if I didnt spend half my time playing games on the PC or Wii or whatever.

If you do, strictly regulate it. Please.

I think the point (for kids or adults) is to keep life varied, as much as is possible. There have been times I have played games morning, noon, and night, and while that can be fun, I enjoy life much more when I also try something new or do things for other people.

More relevant, however, is what the missus thinks. And that means game time (the kids and mine) most definitely will be limited!

Guillaume

[naut]

I'm no parent, but from how my parents brought up me, I'd agree whole-heartedly with keeping kids away from video games. But, don't make it a rigid strict thing, that'll just make them want to play them more, it'll breed rebelliousness. Get some LEGO or a football for them to play with when they reach 4+. Teach responsibility, etc. When your kids get into games (which they will) make sure the games that interest them require the use of imagination, etc. And always give good reasons for any decision you make.

The simplest way to regulate what your kids buy is to always make sure you buy it or you go with them when they buy the stuff and make sure that both you and your spouse agree on what is allowed and what is not. If one of you two is there you can put in the veto if you think something is not necessary, etc.

Overall, don't worry too much. If you act right, they'll end up alright.

[Caius]

As pever said, regulate your children about gaming. You should try to keep them away from computers until they have the age to be responsible of choosing if they want to do it or not. Maybe your children don't like it, and that would be good for them. You know, pc is a brain-killer. I can tell you from my own experience.

Or maybe they like it, and I would not ban them the pc or the gaming consoles. Just make sure they do other kind of activities, because we all know that sedentarism is a bad thing. I walk like 45 mins 3 or 4 days a week, play tennis twice 1 hour, and have P.E. from school. Those are my exercises. And I know it isnt still healty.

I started to use a computer at the age of 5. Since then, I have been using it. My eyes are in not a good shape, and I'm not still using lens. And this day this is getting worse.

So, thats why I think gaming should be restricted to a certain extent.

[Rhyfelwyr]

1)Take care of the army
2)Take care of the baby
3)Make sure the army is fine
4)Make sure he is fine
5)Make sure you click the end turn button
6)Make sure he has everything
And the list goes.

Fixed it for you.

I really don't think it is a good idea to regulate your kids gaming. If you are the type of parent who is more laid back and lets their kids go out, then they will do that and be better for it.

But if you want to raise cotton wool kids then its not fair to regulate things like gaming since they will be bored out of their mind. You can't dump them in the house with nothing to do.

[Beirut]

Fixed it for you.

I really don't think it is a good idea to regulate your kids gaming. If you are the type of parent who is more laid back and lets their kids go out, then they will do that and be better for it.

But if you want to raise cotton wool kids then its not fair to regulate things like gaming since they will be bored out of their mind. You can't dump them in the house with nothing to do.

As your occupation is listed as astronaut, I assume you don't spend much time on Earth and have little time for procreation. But for those us bound by gravity and children, I assure you, parenthood is all about regulation, lest your children cross the street without looking while playing with matches given to them by a stranger they talked to because they ate too much sugar.

As for not dumping them in a house with nothing to do, they can do what all us old farts did prior to Pong; play with toys and read books.

[Tribesman]

Yes. I'm sure you know all about cooking.

Why should I know anything about cooking ? thats womens work that is ,and the reason it is womens work is because sheep have difficultly using the utensils .

[Adrian II]

Why should I know anything about cooking ? thats womens work that is ,and the reason it is womens work is because sheep have difficultly using the utensils .

Oh Christ...

[Samurai Waki]

I didn't get my first gaming system until I was 14 so I had to preoccupy myself with boring things like waking up at 6:00 am to go fishing down at the creek, Hike up to the old Microwave Tower by noon, go down the hill and exploring the Lime Stone Formations by 1:00, walk across another hill, and down onto the railroad tracks and back home by 3:00. Those were terrible... terrible times.

Perhaps I will be showing my daughters a bit of humility growing up. The Computer is Dads... you may not use the computer unless I have given you permission, after you have lived out your childhood, I may just then consider giving you a taste of technology. but in the mean time, go outside and have fun. damn it.

[LittleGrizzly]

I think a small amount of time on the computer is ok from about the age of 7-8 or something, be careful though Grizzly ended up using the thing close to 8 hours a day from the age of 13 to about 17, i managed to go out as well but that meant there was barely any time left over for school.

[Rhyfelwyr]

As your occupation is listed as astronaut, I assume you don't spend much time on Earth and have little time for procreation. But for those us bound by gravity and children, I assure you, parenthood is all about regulation, lest your children cross the street without looking while playing with matches given to them by a stranger they talked to because they ate too much sugar.

As for not dumping them in a house with nothing to do, they can do what all us old farts did prior to Pong; play with toys and read books.

Do not mock my occupation after I spent a decade training, I find your tone both offensive and unecessary.

Obviously you don't let your children go talk to the old man with the sweets, but I think they should be given some flexibilty.

For example don't switch the PC off at the socket after they've been on it for half and hour, or refuse to let them go to friends houses and things like that. And giving them pocket money is good since it gives them a bit of independence.

[LittleGrizzly]

I think not letting your kids out to play is one of the worst things you can do to a kid, they need to be out and about socialising with kids thier own age, kicking a football or on thier bikes...

[Rhyfelwyr]

I think not letting your kids out to play is one of the worst things you can do to a kid, they need to be out and about socialising with kids thier own age, kicking a football or on thier bikes...

[Viking]

As your occupation is listed as astronaut, I assume you don't spend much time on Earth and have little time for procreation. But for those us bound by gravity and children, I assure you, parenthood is all about regulation, lest your children cross the street without looking while playing with matches given to them by a stranger they talked to because they ate too much sugar.

As for not dumping them in a house with nothing to do, they can do what all us old farts did prior to Pong; play with toys and read books.

Astronauts are not bound by gravity? Stop spreading such lies.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Astronauts are not bound by gravity? Stop spreading such lies.

He's not wrong.

[Viking]

He's not wrong.

Please tell my why the astronauts are circling around Earth then? Could it be that the octosquids are pulling on them?

[Rhyfelwyr]

Please tell my why the astronauts are circling around Earth then? Could it be that the octosquids are pulling on them?

We are not allowed to discuss such matters. Although there is an octosquid orbiting the earth right now.

[Caius]

We are not allowed to discuss such matters. Although there is an octosquid orbiting the earth right now.

Why not?

[Rhyfelwyr]

Thread locked.

All hail the octosquid.

[Mooks]

Thread locked? Still letting me post so here it goes...

I got hooked on computer games when I was around 10 (Good ol Empire Earth). Without computer games, I wouldnt be nearly as interested in history or books as I am now. I wouldnt be a atheist, I wouldnt know anything about politics or what the hell is beyond my world.

I had some friends down the street who liked computer games, but when they played for so much, theyre parents told them to get the hell outside. Do whatever they want, just go outside. I wish my parents wouldve told me that. I had next to nil social skills in middle school. I still havent had a girlfriend (10th grade now). And this is the first year my skin color has changed color from "pale" or "ghostly white".

Long story short: Please dont make the same mistake my parents did, kick your kids off the game console every once in a while (not all the time). 20+ hours of gaming a week is not healthy growing up.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Thread locked? Still letting me post so here it goes...

Just to be clear for members who wish to contribute - the thread has not been locked.

Caledonian Rhyfelwyr was just teasing.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Haha sorry if I've kept some people from posting.

Anyway, from my experience the kind of parents that feel the need to control their children's time on the PC also tend to be the kind that like to keep them locked up and nice and safe in the house.

As I got older, I was allowed more time on my PC, but they were still too strict about actually doing anything outside. So by the time I was about 17 I could play my PC all day though it was such a fuss seing a friend and usually ended in such humilitation that I basically gave up and decided it would be easier to be reclusive.

So, I'm a bit like you holybandit, in that I have absolutedly no social skills (which is making it impossible for me to get a job), and I'm pretty pale looking (although most gingernuts in Scotland tend to be anyway).

[Tribesman]

Anyway, from my experience the kind of parents that feel the need to control their children's time on the PC also tend to be the kind that like to keep them locked up and nice and safe in the house.

That would be a limited experience you have then since my kids are very strictly limited in their PC time and TV time and like most of their friends are out and about most of their spare time .