And So It Begins...

Ethan got a Nintendo DS Lite last night.  We found a really nice one (used) at Game Stop for a deal.  He had money from his birthday and our gift to him, so he chose to use that to get the game, a nice protective case and a game. 

I have always been resistant to having gaming systems/devices in our home just because of the tendency to for today's kids (and adults) to log too much 'screen time' (computer, tv, movies, video games...) in a day, and obviously, if you are spending your time sitting on your bum in front of a screen, then you are not being active, being productive (arguably) or building social skills or interpersonal skills.

We don't do much TV in our house; during the school week, we never even turn on the TV (unless I watch something while ironing or doing other chores after the kids are in bed).  We do, occasionally love a good movie, but again, rarely during the school week as we just don't have time to fit it in.  We all spend a fair amount of time on our computers, but to some extent that is useful and/or educational (arguably again). 

Regardless, I don't think we have a *problem* as a family - YET, and I want to keep it that way.  At the same time, we don't live in a vacuum.  In the society in which we live, games are rampant and all kids have them and bond over them.  Plus, I will admit, and this is one of the main reasons we strategically chose to allow a portable game system at this point, it can be useful.  Much for the same reason we had a DVD player installed in our minivan when the kids were small (and was that ever money well spent).  Sometimes, you need your kids to just be entertained and distracted.  That's not bad parenting, that's just reality.  On an airplane, in the car, waiting in line.....though I have seen it, we won't be allowing it at dinner (in or out). 

Bringing me to the next point, we have and will add more guidelines around when/how it can be used.  At least for now, at age 7, we will need to set the limits for him.  I know that it is *new*, but Ethan wanted to play before school this morning, which will just never work. 

Both boys have had the Leapster game systems and Ethan had a Diji too, but those are both 'educational' and all their games are either math-based or spelling or some other direct area - while we can help pick and choose his games at this point, the games are more entertainment based versus educational.

Bottom line, it's a brave new world for us.  We'll navigate this one like all the ones before and the ones to come...one step at a time with as much thought and foresight as possible and with the long-term best interest of our child at the center...and that is all any parent can do.