Video Games and Raising Adults.

How funny that Virginia just blogged about how we're raising adults, not children! Of course I had to leave her a snarky comment implying that really she's raising senior citizens for God if she looks far ahead enough. Actually, that's not far off I know some families that aren't even really mindful of skills here *on earth,* but are raising their kids to do a good job praising God when they are, like, dead. Except they'd call it "in His Presence" or something like that. Code word.

Annnyway, I thought y'all would like a little levity here a second. Kinda snotted all over the screen a couple posts back, so it's time. I found a new (to me!) blogger, and her posts about forbidding video games is so funny and spot-on, I'd like to encourage you to read it. If you can get your own kids off the computer, that is.

"The Mom With the Brownies" feels that video games are not only a great way to have fun, but that forbidding them can be a sort of a showy one-upmanship in the game of parenting:

"Maybe they want accolades from others or whatever, but this sort of self indulgent thinking can really inhibit their children from achieving their full potential in our modern world.

"'Modern World' I know that is a buzz word. Some parents want to shelter their children from the Modern World. They want to keep them held back to the time of horse and buggy when civilization was simpler or they at least want to hold their children back to the days of Pacman so they, as parents, can actually understand the games. However, unless they are planning to raise them in a commune or as an Amish person they are sorely kidding themselves.

"Let's give up the fantasy, shall we? Our child will grow up very soon and probably need to work in this modern world. I don't care how many gardens we plant or how well we teach them to recycle and can foods, they'll still need to live in the modern world so give up the 'no technology' fantasy. Wake up! We aren't raising children we are raising adults!"

I love reading other people's rants. Of course, I don't agree with everything she has written, and am a bit more conservative in the video game department. G has a *very* hard time readjusting after/during video game time. Autism'll do that to ya. It really is all-engrossing for him, so I feel I often have to limit this for sanity's sake. But Patrick? He could be allowed to play it all day if he wishes. So long as I get help when I need it and he keeps his grades up, I'm happy. And yeah, I get the "no fair" thing from G. Sorry, guy.

I do limit the technology at home as well in that G is not allowed to surf the internet without direct, someone right next to him supervision. Because. Don't ask. Patrick? Wherever he wants to go. I just check the history now and again, and it's kinda boring. Pokemon, Pokemon, Pokemon. Oh! More Pokemon. Maybe an email or school research website here and there.

There are also some really awful video games out there. Halo? Grand Theft Auto? Not in my house. Spongebob? Ok. Super Mario Wii Kart Dash Party Number 28, and a bunch of other similar titles? Yep.

The kids' brains haven't fallen out yet. You know, when I hear of extreme extremism, I have to wonder if it's fear or conviction doing the talking. That, or a new parent. I had a friend who, when she was a new mom, did not let her older children eat any sugar. At all. It was breast-feed, oatmeal, green beans.... and wow! A sugar-free first birthday cake. Really. Party down 'cuz it was 1994.

I think we were all extreme back in the day. :]