Non-electronic-gaming families - Page 4

[mistymama]

Originally Posted by velochic

That was kind of where I got the impression - I didn't play, but the cousins were playing it over the holidays at my aunt's house. Sorry. I still don't get the attraction, especially after seeing it. But that's O.K. I wasn't looking for people to convince me that video games are good or interesting. I was just wondering if anyone else didn't play and also didn't have any interest. Obviously, there ARE others like me, and there are others that are not.

You don't have to say sorry at all! And I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything, like I said we started off as a Waldorf family and I certainly understand being screen free. I just wanted to clear up the misconception that somehow playing a video game together is less interactive than playing a board game. That's all, no worries.

I'm not all that interested in video games, at all. I understand not caring to have them and they are certainly NOT necessary at all.

[JavaJunkie]

Originally Posted by Chicky2

That said, we also LOVE other games. Our current fav. is Mexican Train Dominoes. And after we play, the kids all build w/them.

This is a favorite of my kids, too(including the building with them afterwards!).

[traceface]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

It is possible that the behaviors you are seeing aren't representative of what the kids are like in their own homes. They might actually love books on cd alone in their own bedroom, and their own board games with their families.

that

We are completely TV, video, electronic-game free so I know where the OP is coming from! But I try not to assume things about children's home lives based on a short time spent with them, not in their normal environment.

[JL83]

Originally Posted by traceface

that

We are completely TV, video, electronic-game free so I know where the OP is coming from! But I try not to assume things about children's home lives based on a short time spent with them, not in their normal environment.

What I find is interesting, is that during playdates (DD is 3, so their parent is there), it's the kids who don't have TV at home who see ours and want to watch. DD knows we don't watch when we have friends over and doesn't ask. But there have been numerous fits by other kids about wanting to watch. The kids who come from TV households accept a "no" much faster and easier IME than the kids who are TV free. This started in about the last 6 months or so.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

Do you feel the same about working on jigsaw puzzles together?

I never answered this question. No, I don't feel the same, but as I said, I don't play the video games, I'm just observing family members and friends and their children.

My mom lives with us and she and I have had some really great conversations over a jigsaw puzzle. Plus with a jigsaw puzzle, you can leave it whenever and come back to it whenever. I don't know HOW many fights my sister has had with her (adult, reserve Marine) son about getting his butt off of the couch and getting things done while he argues and argues, "Just one more level, mom, just one more level."

That never happens with a jigsaw puzzle. Usually, we give up in frustration for a while rather than press on.

[BetsyS]

Originally Posted by velochic

I don't know HOW many fights my sister has had with her (adult, reserve Marine) son about getting his butt off of the couch and getting things done while he argues and argues, "Just one more level, mom, just one more level."

My mom and I used to have this same fight about books. "Just let me finish the chapter, Mom!" And, to be honest, it frequently happens with dh, too. "Turn out the light, honey." "Just let me finish the chapter first!"



It also fascinates me how many people play games. Like I said, it's just not my thing. My inlaws play euchre (a card game) a lot. I can handle about 15 minutes, then I'm just dying. I don't even know why I don't like it. Just don't.

And a puzzle? That'd be tantamount to torture. LOL

[Alyantavid]

Originally Posted by mistymama

We are a family who enjoys both!

We have an xbox360, wii & DSi. We also have LOTS of board games and them!!

When ds has friends over they rarely play video games. They'll choose playing a board game together over playing video games most of the time - and these are kids who are allowed lots of screen time.

We don't have a tv or anything like that in the car. I run carpool with 2 other Moms and have never had the kids say anything at all - the kids are talking and playing, I never would have even thought about putting a movie on.

I don't limit ds's screen time - he's very good at doing that on his own. He'll play a little wii or DSi and then he wants to be out riding his scooter or outside with his friends. When he has a chance to play with dh and I, he would choose a family board game over video games as well. Sometimes we'll bowl as a family on the wii, but I can tell you, ds's favorite is playing something like Clue together.

I don't think you have to be a no video game family to have kids who are interested in board games or other things, we a proof of that.

That's exactly us. I have no problem with video games in moderation, same as anything else. We've never had kids over and had any of them even mention playing a video game. Our kids are extremely active, creative and smart. If we had any issues with video games, we'd address that, but at this point, it's fun and not affecting anyone.

[mistymama]

Originally Posted by velochic

I don't know HOW many fights my sister has had with her (adult, reserve Marine) son about getting his butt off of the couch and getting things done while he argues and argues, "Just one more level, mom, just one more level."

That never happens with a jigsaw puzzle. Usually, we give up in frustration for a while rather than press on.

Well I have that same conversation each night with ds over books he's reading ... "One more chapter Mom, just one more chapter!"

Also happens with Monopoly if we are having a really long game .. "Just one more roll Mom, just one more roll!"

But I had to laugh and think of this thread today. Ds got $50 from a relative and when I asked him yesterday what he wanted to spend it on, he said some family games. So when he gets home from school we're on our way to buy some new board games, or maybe a puzzle.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by BetsyS

My mom and I used to have this same fight about books. "Just let me finish the chapter, Mom!" And, to be honest, it frequently happens with dh, too. "Turn out the light, honey." "Just let me finish the chapter first!"

I have this problem with 7yo dd when she doesn't want to go to sleep. Getting up to get things done... no problem. Going to sleep... "just to the end of the chapter!" (and then she sneaks another one after that). She has always loved books more than sleep.

[Siennaflower]

Dd6 has a V-smile pocket and it stays in the car for trips, and she has a Game Cube with the Animal Crossing game that she occasionally plays. We have a PS3 in the house but dh is the only one who really plays games on it, we use it as a blu-ray player for the most part. I grew up with the various video game consoles and really liked the Tomb Raider series for a time but just kind of grew out of it, especially after having kids. I don't think I ever played them to the exclusion of board or card games, and dd doesn't either. Dd and I are also big readers, as well. She actually asked for a B&N gift card for her next bday, lol.