Video Games

[Jennifer Varela]

Video games in our household have evolved naturally. My husband is an avid gamer. Since he was a little boy he loved playing video games. I never did, but, I also don't have any negative association with them. We currently have an Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, plus the handheld systems, a Game boy (original) and Nintendo DS. I don't know If they are considered on the video game spectrum, but, we also have a Leapster, Pixter and V.Smile. The kids' favorite are their DSs. DH prefers his Xbox360 and uses it in his basement room. The kids occasionally watch him play, but, they haven't shown an interest in playing any of the games we have for that system. We are saving up to get a Wii, which will be a fun whole family purchase. We have the regular Xbox and PS2 hooked up in the living room on the main TV. We use them a lot for playing DVDs. There are a few games that the kids like to play on those systems and occasionally someone wants to play a game at the same time someone else wants to watch something on TV. Negotiations ensue until we find a solution that is acceptable to both parties. We have another TV in the bedroom and that's always an option. Sometimes the person wanting to play the game will agree to wait until later or the next day. We've come to many different solutions when that has happened.

Kira first wanted a DS when she was 3. She saw Nintendogs advertised and sooo wanted to play it. I got it for her for her 4th Birthday. I quickly realized that I'd have to read the game to her and help her get started. We also got a couple Hamtaro games from Ebay and I had to actually play them myself with her watching me. After I went through the game two or three times, then, she would play it herself. I have to be honest here. I don't really like to play video games. I suck it up because I want to help my child with her interests, but, on occasion I have told her that I just didn't feel like playing right now. I can't really explain why I don't like them, It's not any particular game because I've played many different kinds. I get frustrated, my eyes start to hurt, I start to feel cranky and lethargic. The same thing happens to me when I read books.

Luke got his DS when he was 3. He kept borrowing Kira's DS and she was getting frustrated, so, we got him a used one at the video game store, we exchanged a couple games that were no longer being played and also a GBA. So, we didn't pay all that much for it. I would have paid full price if I had to, though. These games have enriched our lives, they have brought happiness to my children and to me as well when I see how happy my kids are when they play their games. Even though I may not play the games, I still know all about the games that they are playing. It's a connection we have, I can be interested in hearing about their games without actually wanting to play them myself.

While the kids love their video games, if I walk in the room and ask if they'd like to play something with me, they would choose playing with me over playing thei game. Same with going outside to play. I rarely interrupt their play, though. Maybe that's why they stop willingly? Maybe it's because I have no attachment to them "doing something else". Maybe somewhere in their minds they know that I wouldn't have a problem with them continuing to play. Maybe it's just the way their brains are wired. I don't know why, but, that's just how it is at this moment.

I should mention that there is a lot of gameplay on the computer. There are lots of online games, plus we have many game CDs. We have UB Funkeys and the Fisher Price Easy Link. Right now the four of us take turns on the computer, we have a nice flow, no schedule or anything. Usually it looks like someone saying "hey, when you are done, I want to play something on the computer". Eventually we may need to get another computer, but, right now one works well for us.

Video games fit naturally into the flow of our lives, it's all peaceful, joyful and fun.

Jen
Kira (7)
Luke (4)

[Leticia]

Same here. My daughter (10) is completely enthralled with gaming. She spends endless hours on the computer playing online games like club penguin, neopets, wolfquest, sketch star on miniclip. She's learned how to make her own little movie clips as she draws her characters too. She and loves nintendo ds. We're waiting to get her the new game system coming up in April (mid Apr or so) called Ninetendo DSI. It has a built in camera, mp3 player ... She can hardly wait. We're also saving up for a Wii, maybe for her bday in July. Although my daughter has been a great reader, she has learned many new words and continues to read books. She loves to read, can't beat that. Gaming hasn't stopped her from reading, riding her bike, or drawing.

[kissesmomof4]

We are another game loving family. We have 3 computers, an xbox360, 2 wiis, a couple game boys, and some vintage systems. Everbody in the family plays something. I used to worry about the kids playing so much until a homeschooling mother of 10 told me how video games helped her son learn to read better. I have to agree with her, my son's reading has improved a lot through gaming!