Ok, so first off, I’ve moved my weekly “Parenting Special Needs” post to Tuesday.
Secondly, I noticed an amazing thing a few weeks ago. Amelia was acting up and I was tired of relying on the, “Don’t let me get Dad” threat. (Yes, I resort to that. Shoot me.) This time, I threatened to take away her DS and iPad and movie privileges.
All three.
I think she was in shock. It was good that she was playing with the DS, I immediately took it away. (Heh, heh, I’m such a good hider, I’m still looking for it.) Since my mother-in-law was over, it was easy to take away the TV – I simply told her not to play movies for the kids, so she watched her own shows.
An amazing thing happened:
My kids became kids again. They started playing with – lo and behold – TOYS! Actual toys that don’t involve plugs and batteries. They took out their books too.
Want to know what the bonus was? They were well-behaved – a lot better behaved, especially Amelia. Yes, there, I said it: video games are not good for your kid. Too bad.
You’d have think I’d kept it going but I’m having a super hard time convincing my husband this is the case. In lieu of the missing DS, Amelia wheedled her way into Dad’s phone, and then I forgot to hide the iPad. And we do use movies, because now that we have no respite care or spending money, that IS date night for us. Still, I’m confident we can make this a regular thing, and reward on Monday or something can be “movies”. Just sayin…
As for me, I think I have a hard time with this because I know that we are supposed to be their “soft place to fall,” but I take it too far. They are quite capable of a lot of things, and it’s my own prejudice if I’m too easy on them just because the world might be slightly more harsh on them. This is a balance I really struggle with, but I know the rewards of slightly sterner disciple pay off for THEM, not just me.
Here is my beautiful girl, looking all stylin’. She came home look so fashionable with her boots yesterday I just had to take a photo.
Life with Kaishon says
Good for you! I love that they started playing with their actual toys : ). I love the picture you shared. Amelia is a beauty.
Gina B says
Aw, thanks! She was always a tomboy and now is starting to appreciate fashion. Finally! lol
Heather {LocalFunforKids} says
You’re right. I let my 7 year old use video games as a way to decompress after a long day at school, but I make sure he gets outside to play right after that. Also, I hid my Kindle fire a few weeks ago and couldn’t find it for 2 weeks. Now that I found it again, my kids always want to play on it. I think it may be time to hide it again!
Gina B says
Yea, it’s a godsend, sometimes, that “forgetting where you hid it”. UNLESS you have to read before bed to get to sleep and then it’s just frustrating, lol!
Gina B says
Whoa, unwrapped board games! That’s like a gold mine 🙂 Glad you could make the best of it!
Gina B says
Thanks Jeanine, I’m becoming one. I’m really more of an indoorsy gal myself, between sun sensitive skin and a complete and utter lack of coordination/athletic skills. Fortunately, my girls don’t have that problem!
Janeane Davis says
I enjoyed this so much! It reminded me of several incidence in our family life.
Gina B says
Thanks!
Nichole says
I think you are on to something here! 🙂
Gina B says
LOL! Yes, we did it again yesterday and it was so nice 🙂
Susana Cervantes says
om Gosh, im feeling exactly the same as all you guys. Im moving from the small town of Lynchburg, VA to the metro Maryland/DC area. and yes im scared out of my mind. I have 2 kids ages 6 and 8, and my fiancee is from DC. hes amazing, but he has a good job and wont move from DC to Lynchburg, so thats why we moving. I’ll miss my family and friends, and afraid of the cost of living there, which is extremely high, but God is good All The Time, so im putting it all in His hands. good luck to all of you brave souls trying to chase your dreams, or just make a fresh start. i kno its hard, its scary, but WE can do All things through Christ who strenghthens Us.
Gina B says
Good luck to you Susana! Moving is really, really hard. We first moved from New York City to what I’d call the sticks – the Poconos, which was no where near as developed as it is now. It was extremely tough, but I managed, and then we moved here, which is the best of suburban and loaded with ex-New Yorkers! Love it here, hope you love your new area too!
Crystal Green says
Since I home school my kids, they use a lot of technology (Kindle Fires, iPad, computers, TV shows, and anything else I can get my hands on that is technology related) to learn with, and it makes my life as their teacher so much easier! They then have to have time outside on a very regular bases. I also ensure that we have hours where there is nothing on technology wise a day for them to use their imagination. We usually only play video games for several hours on the weekends, but we also hit the great outdoors on the weeks too.
I’m like you though, I do feel that video games in extreme is a bad thing. I also feel that to much technology becomes an issue, but it’s really hard for me to teach that factor when my work requires that I’m attached to technology on a constant bases.
Gina B says
Crystal, yes, that makes sense! I don’t homeschool, but the iPad has been a great learning tool at home for my daughter with autism, and it’s been great to see the progression my daughter with Down syndrome has made with her DS…she needs almost no help playing a game now, whereas when she got it, she was completely lost. They definitely have their place! But when there is bad attitude surrounding game playing or a call for chores or dinner is delayed, that’s when they need to stop. 🙂