Well, we broke down and bought a Wii for Christmas…ooops…the Big Guy bought the Wii for Christmas. Both boys asked for it and he brought it. I held out as long as I could but we agreed it would be hooked to the family TV downstairs and there would be limits.
So far, all is good. Except, guess what? Video games have directions. Directions that POP up throughout the cottonpickin’ games!
Take a listen to what happens in my house when someone wants to play a video game…
“Mom!”
“Don’t yell through the house!”
“Ok, but MOM!”
“What?!”
“Can I play the Wii?”
“Sure, set the timer and take turns with your brother if he wants to play.”
“He doesn’t, he’s outside.”
“Ok, go for it.”
Imagine five minutes of total silence.
“Mom!”
“BusyBee, don’t yell, I am right here.” ( I am usually in my den right next to the living room where the Wii is, or the kitchen, again right next to the livingroom.)
“Oh, sorry. Can you come here and read this.”
“Sure, hang on a second.” (I interrupt whatever I was doing to move to the livingroom so I can read the screen.)
Insert…game directions that are all of one or two lines.
Imagine about two minutes of silence.
“Mom!”
“What?”
“Read this please.”
Insert another one to two lines of directions.
Another one to two minutes of silence.
“Mom!”
“Seriously, BusyBee, can’t you sound out some of those words.”
“Mom! I’m on a timer here!”
“Don’t be disrespectful or you will lose your time tomorrow.”
“Ok, sorry. Could you please read?”
Insert more one to two liners.
Another minute or two of silence.
“Mom!”
Finally, I just sit down and watch him or them if they are both going to town on a game. I read when the stupid one liners pop up. I have no idea what they are doing, I have never been a “gamer.”
And, whatever it was I was doing is put on hold.
Please remember this when you stop by and my house is a mess.
Filed under: BusyBee, Family Times, SmartBee
