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Video games have become as common place as TV in most family homes; especially if there are boys. Parents often worry they’re harming their children in some way or they’ll become addicted. Here are six guidelines to help ease your anxiety.
1. Any parent who has children that play video games knows that playing the games can become very addictive. You have every right to limit the amount of time your child spends with a controller in his/her hand. Children need to be physically active to stay healthy. They also need to spend time doing homework and other activities.
2. If you decide to forbid your child from playing video games, it’s likely you will only intensify the desire to play and they will find a way. Many of us develop a fear that they won’t want to do anything else or the games are too violent and will have a negative impact on our children. Know that most things in moderation are fine.
3. Video games aren’t all bad. When there are two or more children playing together they’re engaged in conversation, they is usually some form of negotiation going on, there’s a certain amount of skill required and there’s the joy of “winning”.
4. Video game systems are costly. If it’s something your child desperately wants, it can be an incentive to earn money to either purchase their own or contribute to the purchase of one. Owning one isn’t a right; it’s a privilege.
5. The small hand-held video games can be wonderful to have when traveling long distances. They keep children occupied and content while sitting on an airplane, a bus, a train or a long car ride. It doesn’t mean to use them to replace conversation or other kinds of games. It can be something else to bring along.
6. Try to avoid using video games as a babysitter or a way to keep your kids “out of your hair.” It’s true they will stay occupied for hours but it’s important we take the time to connect with our kids everyday, in a positive way. Give them the clear message they are important and valued member of the family.
7. Remember that moderation is the key. If your child’s only activity outside of school is playing video games, you want to encourage and support some kind of physical activity. If he/she is involved in some form of physical activity either structured or unstructured, spends time with friends and family in other ways, then some time playing video games is harmless.
Barbara Desmarais is a parenting and life coach and has worked with parents for close to 20 years. Visit her website at http://www.theparentingcoach.com to get more tips and insights into the most important job you’ll ever have. Sign up for her monthly newsletter and receive your free copy of her popular e-book “Raise Your Children But Not Your Voice.”
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