Dad Versus Mom
Parenting is difficult at times. Extremely rewarding, but also challenging. An issue my husband and I debate over is the use of technology. We recently had a discussion over the use of gaming systems. We own a Wii which came into our home at Christmas a couple of years ago. It does not “belong” to any one of our three children, but is a family game. Admittedly, our two oldest (boys) use it the most. Everyone is allowed to purchase their own games if they so choose – though we encourage multi-player games so that others can play too. Sometimes this works, sometimes not.
The boys have at various times asked if they could buy their own systems (with their own money), but we have always said no. Reasons?
- We have one television in the rec room for them to share (televisions in bedrooms are not allowed).
- Multiple gaming systems would be a nightmare to share
- Control issues (jealousy sometimes raises its head)
We set limits which sometimes get stretched out and have to be brought back in line.
We dance the dance with technology without any finesse – it is trial by error, as is most parenting.
Thank God for prayer.
I find it's trial and error. My son would stay on all day if he could, and while I don't have a set time when it's summer, I have to make sure he does other activities. My daughter doesn't usually want to use the game system, so that means there's less fighting over the system.
My husband and I don't always agree about rules and fighting either.
Good luck!
Shouldn't parenting get easier as time goes by? Shouldn't we have it all figured out at least by the time the 3rd one comes along? 🙂
Thanks for sharing Sheila… lots of the same things going on at our house… I struggle with follow through on my "consequences".