Tuesday, February 15, 2011
My Issues with Electronic Entertainment
"Mom, can we play the Playstation?" Like most moms, I only hear this question a dozen times a day. Every once in a while I smile and say, "Sure." Thinking, "He's done his chores and homework and only hit his brother a couple of times, why not reward the kid?" But most of the time I curse Santa and wish the North Pole had a better return policy. Santa is the one who got us into the video game mess. Two years ago the boys wrote letters and e-mails and even prayed for a Playstation as they were the "only kids in the whole world without one." So we had a very fun Christmas morning, all faith in Santa was instantly restored (they knew their mom would never buy a Playstation), and I have been wishing we could redo that Christmas morning every day since.
My boys often ask what I have against video games. The boys are good to not play violent games and they only fight over the two controllers and claim they could beat the level better than their brother every five minutes or so. Basically video game time at our house is a pretty peaceful stretch of thirty minutes where Mom can run around and catch up on chores or Facebook uninterrupted.
My issues with video games (or computer games, television, texting, etc.) only comes into play when an excessive amount of time is spent on said activities. I'm afraid if I don't limit electronic time my boys won't learn to work hard and improve themselves during their time here on earth. "Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause." (i) This includes children. The best time to teach correct principles is when they are little. I want my children to learn so many things: how to interact well with others, a great knowledge of the scriptures, faith, how to be hard workers, how to serve others, how to love to read and do well in school. My list, like yours I'm sure, could go on and on. But how am I going to teach them all these things if they are so busy with school, athletics, Scouts, friends, and electronic entertainment? You'll probably agree that most of the things on my sons' lists are good activities. About the only one I want to cut back on is the electronics. Now I'm not saying the boys will never play another video game (if I tried that they'd run away to Granny's). But I might say no to the Playstation a little more often and actually stick to the thirty minute time limit.
The church I belong to (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) has asked our local leaders to have fewer meetings and place less demands on families. Our general authorities have asked us to slow down and eliminate excessive extracurricular activities so we can spend more time together at home. (ii) These are wonderful ideas if the family takes advantage of that extra time to teach, love, and play with their children. But if my boys use that extra time to conquer more levels on Star Wars Battlefront and I use that extra time to surf the blogosphere, we would be better to be off playing more basketball games or doing more Scouting activities. I believe our leaders are encouraging that extra time at home so we can build better family relationships and prepare our children to succeed in an increasingly evil world. These things won't happen if we are all plugged in.
So what's my solution? I have to be a more involved parent. It's easy to be a lazy Mom. Children can be endlessly entertained, they can make their own food in the microwave, and they can put themselves to sleep watching television (we've only done that a few times, promise). I have to work harder. It's hard to say no to Playstation, get myself away from my computer, and go outside to play a game of Lightning with the boys, read the latest 39 Clues book to them, see if I can finally beat them at Monopoly, or go pick up some of their friends for a fun late night. I'm so busy right now I've given up on folding laundry (it works if you just throw it all in a basket for each child and they somehow find what they want to wear), but laundry, housework, and even writing can wait. Teaching and enjoying my boys has to be the first priority. Maybe if I do a good enough job I'll only hear, "Can I play the Playstation?" five times today.
(i) Doctrine and Covenants 58:27
(ii) "Good, Better, Best," by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, October, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)
Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive
My Favorite Sites
- My Devotional Thoughts
- I'd Rather Be Reading At The Beach
- I Am a Reader Not a Writer
- My Book a Day
- Blooming with Books
- We All Make Mistakes in Books
- Read Your Writes
- Brooklyn Berry Designs
- Fitness for Mom
- Getting Your Read On
- A Booklover Forever
- Amber Argyle
- Charity Writes
- Jen's Blog of Random Thoughts
- Cheryl's Book Nook
- Janet Jensen
- Diony George
- Rachelle Writes
- Good Clean Reads
- Lo Johnston Writing
- Rachel Ann Nunes, Author
- Socrates Book Reviews
- Jill Will Run
- The Book Bug
- The Book Journey
- Caution Redhead Running
- I Have Run
- Always Training Trio
- Hungry Runner Girl
- If I can't convince you - I'll atleast confuse you
- Happy-Healthy-Successful
- Just Me & My Running Shoes
- Just Trying is for Little Girls
- Larissa Milano Fitness
- Literary Time Out
- Miss Mae
- Mom and More
- Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author
- Pam's Wildrose Blog
- Reading with Monie
- Make it Simple Sister
- a journey in the shoes of a foodie, athlete & wife
- Run Fast Mommy
- Raketer Mama
- The Balanced Writer
- Princess Runs
- Tall Mom on the Run
- Running Diva Mom
- Running Rachel

I feel ya! It's a tough balance. I want to smack parents who place iPhones in the hands of 4 year olds.
ReplyDeleteSeriously! These poor children won't have a clue how to entertain themselves.
ReplyDeleteI do trust all the ideas you've offered in your post. They are very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are very short for starters. May you please extend them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.
ReplyDeletemy web blog - Minecraft Gameplay
Great blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to start my own blog soon but I'm a little lost
on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like
Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I'm completely overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Cheers!
Also visit my website: e-ticaret.mert-canta.com
It's very effortless to find out any matter on web as compared to textbooks, as I found this post at this web page.
ReplyDeleteLook at my page: Minecraft Wireless Redstone Mod
Great blog here! Also your web site rather a lot
ReplyDeleteup very fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your associate link in
your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours
lol
Take a look at my site: Wireless Redstone Tutorial
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are
ReplyDeleteyou using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I
wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Also visit my homepage; Download Hidden
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
ReplyDeleteMy last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no back up.
Do you have any methods to stop hackers?
Feel free to visit my weblog: youtube keyword tool
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than
ReplyDeletejust your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and
everything. However imagine if you added some great visuals or videos to give your
posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips,
this site could certainly be one of the very best in its niche.
Very good blog!
Have a look at my website - Louis Vuitton Bags
Your style is unique compared to other people I've read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.
ReplyDeleteAlso visit my homepage; Cheap NFL Jerseys
It's in reality a great and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy weblog Converse All Star
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how
ReplyDeletecould i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast
offered bright clear idea
Look into my web-site; Cheap NFL Jerseys
Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in
ReplyDeletea community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.
You have done a outstanding job!
My blog post ... Abercrombie & Fitch
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
ReplyDeleteVery useful info particularly the last part :) I care for such info
much. I was seeking this particular info for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Check out my site :: Air Max 90
Hi there would you mind letting me know which webhost you're using? I've
ReplyDeleteloaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price?
Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!
Check out my blog :: Air Max
I am no longer certain where you're getting your information, but good topic. I must spend some time learning much more or working out more. Thank you for fantastic information I used to be searching for this information for my mission.
ReplyDeletemy blog post Nike Air Max
Hey there, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but
when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!
Feel free to visit my web site ... Gucci Scarpe
It's actually a cool and helpful piece of information. I'm happy that you just
ReplyDeleteshared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this.
Thanks for sharing.
Check out my homepage; Air Max Pas Cher
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post. I like
ReplyDeleteto write a little comment to support you.
Feel free to surf to my blog post - Bukkit 1.5.3
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post.
ReplyDeleteI like to write a little comment to support you.
Also visit my blog post; Bukkit 1.5.3
For most recent news you have to pay a quick visit web and on web I found this website as a finest web
ReplyDeletepage for hottest updates.
Feel free to surf to my blog post :: Abercrombie
I'm truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It's a very easy
ReplyDeleteon the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and
visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Fantastic work!
My weblog ... Path of Exile Gameplay
If you wish for to obtain a great deal from this post then
ReplyDeleteyou have to apply such strategies to your won web site.
Here is my web-site: Michael Kors Handbags
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this
ReplyDeletepost was good. I do not know who you are but certainly
you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already ;
) Cheers!
Also visit my weblog :: RPG game
I really like it when individuals get together and share ideas.
ReplyDeleteGreat site, stick with it!
my web page :: Paper Please
Wonderful post! We are linking to this particularly great content on our site.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great writing.
my web site: Path of Exile Commentary
Right now it looks like BlogEngine is the preferred blogging platform available right now.
ReplyDelete(from what I've read) Is that what you're using on your blog?
My site; Louis Vuitton Outlet
Thanks for finally talking about > "My Issues with Electronic Entertainment"
ReplyDelete< Liked it!
Feel free to visit my site ... Bukkit Setup
It's enormous that you are getting thoughts from this piece of writing as well as from our dialogue made at this time.
ReplyDeleteMy webpage - Dota 2 First Impressions
hello!,I really like your writing very much!
ReplyDeleteproportion we keep in touch more approximately your post on
AOL? I require a specialist in this house to resolve my problem.
May be that is you! Looking ahead to see you.
Feel free to visit my site - Wholesale Jerseys
Hello there, I found your web site via Google at the same
ReplyDeletetime as looking for a comparable subject, your site got here
up, it appears to be like great. I have bookmarked it
in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, simply was aware of your weblog thru Google, and found that it is really informative.
I'm gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate when you continue this in future. A lot of folks will likely be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Here is my blog post; Mbox 360
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to
ReplyDeletebe on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don't know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Here is my homepage ... Jordan Femme
Excellent website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any
ReplyDeletediscussion boards that cover the same topics
talked about here? I'd really love to be a part of group where I can get suggestions from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Bless you!
My page - cheap christian louboutin shoes
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you
ReplyDeletehappen to be a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and
will come back very soon. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great job, have a nice morning!
Here is my page; Abercrombie Et Fitch
Very nice post. I certainly appreciate this website. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteMy weblog - Michael Kors
We're a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive process and our whole community will be grateful to you.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to visit my web page: This Site
Hey! I could have sworn I've been to this blog before but after reading through some of the post I realized it's new to me.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I'm definitely glad I found it and I'll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
Feel free to surf to my blog ... Clicking Here
I really love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you
ReplyDeletemake this website yourself? Please reply back as
I'm planning to create my own website and would like to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Kudos!
my website ... continue reading
This blog was... how do you say it? Relevant!
ReplyDelete! Finally I have found something which helped me.
Appreciate it!
Look at my web blog; Tory Burch Outlet
You are so cool! I don't believe I've read
ReplyDeletesomething like this before. So wonderful to discover another person
with a few unique thoughts on this issue. Seriously..
many thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that's needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
Here is my blog Christian Louboutin Heels
Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
Feel free to surf to my webpage; Cheap Jerseys
It's an remarkable article in support of all the online users; they will get benefit from it I am sure.
ReplyDeletemy blog post :: LeBron James Shoes 2013
Magnificent web site. Plenty of useful information here.
ReplyDeleteI am sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing
in delicious. And naturally, thank you in your effort!
Check out my homepage - Air Max Femme