The face of addiction

addicted

There was a time when I didn’t want my kids to watch any tv or play games on the computer.  Then reality struck, and actually having the ability to get things done while they are otherwise occupied has changed my tune.

However, our boy is truly and surely addicted to watching tv and playing games on the computer.  ADDICTED.  Just the fact that he can play games on the computer at not quite 4 years old just blows me away.  He loves, loves, LOVES www.pbskids.org.   I don’t mind it much, since the games are about teaching them their letters and words.  Anything that helps him learn his letters is a plus to me, especially if it grabs his attention.  The puzzles and books that we have for teaching him don’t seem to be quite as exciting.  At least Anya like them!

His current infatuation with a tv show is Super Why, which actually does a good job with trying to teach them things and keeps them engaged.  The other shows on PBS Kids are just okay, though.  Don’t even get me started with Cartoon Network.  It makes the Road Runner killing Wiley Coyote all the time look quite tame.

I’m sure based on all the studies we are creating an ADD kid.  I guess we will reap what we sow.  We have been making sure that he just does imaginative play with his toys, and on days when all he wants to do is watch tv we make him go outside and play.  He doesn’t like it…but we make him!  Oh, we are just sooo cruel.  At least he thinks so…

Soon we will have to start in with the stories, “When we grew up, your mom only had a black and white tv that barely got two channels….and you dad didn’t even HAVE A TV.  Yet, somehow, we survived.”  Amazing, isn’t it?