On the drive into the city this morning I heard a disturbing statistic. The average child today is spending 45 hours each week playing video games or watching TV or sitting in front of a computer. I don’t know about your children – but mine aren’t exactly using their computer to learn! They like to play games on their PC – or watch cartoons on the cartoon channel web-site.
These same researchers are suggesting that all this time spent in front of video and TV screens is partially to blame for childhood obesity and behavior problems both in school and down the road. You THINK?
What happened to playing outside? Sometimes I wish I had never bought them that silly playstation. Or that other $125 babysitter – his Nintendo gameboy. Last night I had to threaten taking away his game time on his computer before the eldest son would sit down and read with me. I imagine I’m nowhere near the first parent to encounter some resistance when it comes to homework time.
This summer we picked up new bikes for both the older boys. They had outgrown last year’s models. Neither new bike saw much use this past Summer. The gameboys on the other hand… Well, you get the picture. What will their lives be like when they get into FaceBook or MySpace or wherever else youth spend their online time?
Maybe this Christmas I’ll buy them both basketballs – or soccer balls. Maybe I’ll get them a couple of fishing poles and tackle boxes. Or a good book to read!
Or, maybe I'll get them something good to watch while they do watch TV -
VeggieTales DVD Library - The Complete Collection
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