Families that don't have video game units

[harleyquinn]

As for the post about computer games vs video game systems. Good point, I do let them play on the computer but would not buy a unit. I guess the games they play on the computer are more educational then those shoot em up games I see advertised on tv.

That's just not true anymore. There are many, many educational video games. DOn't go out and buy a Xbox or PS3, but all of the nintendo products are targeted to families and children and have great options.

We can discuss more on the other thread I mentioned if you want! I promise to be nice!

 

[snowbunny]

My kids don't have tvs in their rooms that is a personal decision as a kid I lived with a divorced and remarried mother who would not allow me to watch tv with them. They needed "private time" so I was stuck in my room with a tv. So I guess you could say my kids are being jilted because of my bad memories.

That is really sad, and you are not jilting your kids by not putting electronics in their rooms, you sound like a great mom.

 

[eeyoremum]

That's just not true anymore. There are many, many educational video games. DOn't go out and buy a Xbox or PS3, but all of the nintendo products are targeted to families and children and have great options.

We can discuss more on the other thread I mentioned if you want! I promise to be nice!

Okay I will head over. I am at work but will be check it out at lunch.

 

[Robinrs]

My kids don't have tvs in their rooms that is a personal decision as a kid I lived with a divorced and remarried mother who would not allow me to watch tv with them. They needed "private time" so I was stuck in my room with a tv. So I guess you could say my kids are being jilted because of my bad memories.

So sad...

The TV wasn't the problem, your Mom made it her babysitter and it is now the reason for your sadness. But it is not always a BAD thing.

I grew up on TV in a big TV family. I've worked in broadcasting all of my life almost 30 years. I am typing from the cable station where I work now. I've worked in cable, radio and network TV... and I love it. So does my son. He only watches 70s and 80s sitcoms and has a website devoted to them.

Sure, TV can be mindless and tedious, but reading, writing, videos, games and any form of media can be used for good or bad. Giving your kids choices and criteria comes from the home and how you use it. Making it taboo may make them find ways to sneak and pursue the seedier side of it.

I'm sorry you have those sad memories about my industry... and I agree the kids are not being "jilted". It's not something they completely need to exist and you're doing what's right for you because you don't want them to feel what YOU felt... and that's a good thing.

 

[budbeerlady]

http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/welcome.asp?section=0
I found out about this site from another Diser and I loved the stuff they had for DD. She spends hours outside catching bugs and "studying" them. Its a nice alternative to all the stuff that you see on the Walmart shelves.

 

[famofsix]

All in moderation is our goal with gaming systems.
We don't have a system for the TV but we have handhelds and the computer. We think that's enough for our family. It works for us and we encourage our kids to get out and play and play board games etc. but it is nice for them to play around virtually and electronically sometimes


especially since Mama has to limit her Dising habit

 

[problemchild718]

Hello, let me start off by saying I don't want this to be taken as a critism of what other families do. It is just a question.

We are a family that decided years ago not to purchase any video game system. There will be no Wii or Xbox under my tree ever. There are many reasons for this but that is another post.

My question to families that do not purchase game systems what do you buy your kids for Christmas? As my sons get older (13 and 8) it is increasingly difficult to find things to buy them. We do have some computer games but they don't really bother with them after a day or two.

More power to you!!! I regret allowing both video games and the computer to be such a large part of my sons lives. I will not be making the same mistake with my DD.

 

[ecuagoddess]

We don't have game systems either. I never had them growing up and neither did DH, so I certainly don't miss them. DD doesn't seem to have a problem with not having them, she likes to play outside much more. I will occasionally let her play a game on the computer with me- lately it's been Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

Whenever she wants to spend extra time with me, she always chooses an experience like a day at the museum/aquarium/pottery painting place. I love those kinds of things and of course we are big readers too. She'll also often ask me to make a crossword puzzle for her to complete.

But I never concern myself with "hot" toys anyway. She gets what I decide she needs. She earns her "wants" with good behavior.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

No game systems here - although DS7 would LOVE one.

I stick with athletic gear, music related items (drums, guitar, lessons, accesories), tech gadets (ipod, digital camera, etc.), dirt bike stuff, etc.

It's bad enough that he can spend hours on my computer - I'm not at this point adding a game system into the mix.

I should point out - I do this because I know my son would withdraw into the world of games and become very anti-social. All kids are different and only you know what would work or not work with your family when it comes to game systems.

 

[miatamel]

We don't have any video games either, though I have actually tried to find a WII this year but more for my workaholic husband (who doesn't hunt, fish, play sports, etc) so he might just relax and have some mindless fun. But no matter, there are none to be had!
We don't have cable TV of any kind--we get THREE whole channels (!) and they are fuzzy! The kids aren't allowed on the computer and I even objected to the time my first grader spends on one at school. I sound so uptight and prudish when I say all this but I'm really quite liberal, laid back and almost hippieish--I just hate to see kids zoned out on all that stuff! I'd rather them be making up stories and acting them out or something. We also live in a rural area of 6,000 with no big city around so it's not like we can even go to museums, aquariums, etc. We just make do!
I know it's different for me than the OP as my girls are young still, 6 & 4, but I can recommend one thing--a zip line! My tomboy DD6 got one for her birthday and it's ridden every day. You can get the heavy duty one that holds up to 250 pounds so your boys could certainly do that. It's the thing the kids head for when we have company. I also second the hearthsong site, although I'm not sure if there is much for boys of those ages. The Discovery magazine has some cool stuff for that age, though, when I thumb through it. And I would love to see more young boys learn a trade-like woodworking or electrical stuff. Lost arts, or they are going to be soon! So maybe tools? With some classes?

 

[RichNKatHolly]

We don't have any video games either, though I have actually tried to find a WII this year but more for my workaholic husband (who doesn't hunt, fish, play sports, etc) so he might just relax and have some mindless fun. But no matter, there are none to be had!
We don't have cable TV of any kind--we get THREE whole channels (!) and they are fuzzy! The kids aren't allowed on the computer and I even objected to the time my first grader spends on one at school. I sound so uptight and prudish when I say all this but I'm really quite liberal, laid back and almost hippieish--I just hate to see kids zoned out on all that stuff! I'd rather them be making up stories and acting them out or something. We also live in a rural area of 6,000 with no big city around so it's not like we can even go to museums, aquariums, etc. We just make do!
I know it's different for me than the OP as my girls are young still, 6 & 4, but I can recommend one thing--a zip line! My tomboy DD6 got one for her birthday and it's ridden every day. You can get the heavy duty one that holds up to 250 pounds so your boys could certainly do that. It's the thing the kids head for when we have company. I also second the hearthsong site, although I'm not sure if there is much for boys of those ages. The Discovery magazine has some cool stuff for that age, though, when I thumb through it. And I would love to see more young boys learn a trade-like woodworking or electrical stuff. Lost arts, or they are going to be soon! So maybe tools? With some classes?

I agree with this point. I also got this for DS for Christmas. Restoration Hardware has a kids tool set and several wood projects to put together and paint. At $29 each, this will occupy him for days!!!

A zipline sounds great too! Unfortunately, we are too "cityfied" for that in our area.