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Doesn't even know she's caged |
“I’m bored. There’s
nothing to do. This is the longest
grounding ever!” The 8-year old wasn’t
the only one who thought it was the longest week in history. I was right there with her. Children don’t realize that when they’re grounded,
the parents are being punished, as well.
There are no breaks as they go to a friend’s house, zone out in front of
the television or having their brains turned into mush by video games. Good
Luck, Charlie is replaced by the whines of a child serving a prison
sentence for improper behavior.
“I don’t want to be grounded,” the whine continues.
“We don’t want you to lie.
Neither of us got what we wanted it looks like,”
“But I’m bored.”
I stare, dumbfounded.
“How on earth can you be bored?
You have more toys in your room than Toys R Us. It’s a beautiful day outside. Take the million Monster High dolls and go
outside and act out your frustration.”
“But I need someone to play with me.”
"You have Draculaura and Barbie to play with you and
all of those friends that had to be bought.”
“They’re not reeeeal.
I need you to play with me.
Please.”
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My nephew and son mesmerized by TV |
I blame progress. I
also blame parents who rely too heavenly on progress. I’ve known too many who have allowed
television and video games to act as baby sitters or distractions. They’ve had the offspring and now they are
much too busy to take care of them. As I
watched Disney’s Wall-E a couple of years ago, I saw a prophetic message. We allow technology to do everything for us and
the world is growing glassy-eyed, fat, and lazy.
When I was young I would entertain myself for hours. No, not like that. I did it with action figures, acting out
elaborate scenes of Shakespearean caliber.
When my toys weren’t around I would use whatever was handy. When joining my dad on a construction site, I
used nails or small sticks. I even
created stickmen on paper that battled it out through a maze I drew, erasing
and drawing as I went as the story progressed.
Many of my stories came about as I listened to music and fantasized
about some crazed drama. It’s still my
favorite form of entertainment today.
Video games and television have their selling points. I won’t argue that. However, they can also be a crutch. It’s one that we’ve limited in our home.
The 8-year old likes to grab her iPod and play her games as
soon as she is in the car. In the
morning on the way to school it’s allowed.
However, when I pick her up in the afternoon she has to tell me three
things about her day before she’s allowed to touch it. As she lists each event, I’ll ask more
defining questions about it and she will ramble on and on, happy to talk about
her day. Before we know it, we’re back
home and she isn’t thinking about her video games. It’s on to homework and then her friends
start arriving and my quiet day has turned to bouts of giggles
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My niece lost in a computer game |
We’ve also had to control the hypnotic state that the
electronic devices tend to ensnare their users in. Once eyes hit the screen they are glued into
place. I despise talking to the top of
someone’s head. When the 8-year old is
being spoken to, she has to look into the eyes of the person who is talking and
not at her video game or television show.
She is also not allowed to sit in the middle of people talking and
continue to be absorbed in her game.
That’s poor manners, in my opinion, and there’s enough of that in this
world as it is. Children today have a
hard time interacting with others because they are not made to participate.
I know it sounds as if I’m against video games and even
television. I assure you, I’m not. I have every version of Angry Birds on my smart
phone and I am addicted to Castle, NCIS and The Big Bang Theory. Yet, these should be brief breaks in your
day, not the consumption of it. They
should be the springboard for a child’s imagination, not the final resting
place. Young and old alike need to put
the gadgets down and go outside to play.
The furniture might last longer if we got our giant backsides off of it
once in awhile.
And you just might learn something about those you’re
closest to that isn’t on Facebook. Give
it a try. The fresh air won’t kill you.
* * * * *
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Thanks for visiting The Mess!
I couldn't have said it better myself!! I agree; technology is both a blessing and a curse, which has helped create a society of lazy individuals void of manners and creativity. More often than not, I meet parents who feel that their children have to be entertained every second of the day. What ever happened to ripping off your school clothes, putting on the cut-offs and taking off on your bicycle? Don't even get me started on people who stay engrossed with their phones/electronics even when they are supposed to be engaging in conversation. Rude. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, and it seems to be more and more prevalent. Parents would rather surrender than teach their children proper behavior. Of course, most parents are just as bad. Thanks for visiting and commenting, my friend!
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