Fathers and kids bond playing video games

[fuzzis]

From CNN for Father's Day (http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/fun.games/06/15/gaming.parents.ap/index.html)

...The generation that grew up with "Pac-Man" and "Pong" are now having children of their own. And across the nation, fathers and their kids are finding the virtual worlds of video games a popular place to bond.

Many fathers say the games bring them closer to their kids by providing a safe, convenient way to stay in touch and talk to their children on their own terms.

A national survey released last year by the Entertainment Software Association, a video game industry group, found that 35 percent of parents play video games, of which 80 percent play with their children. Mothers, too, were part of the study...

[politically incorrect]

My little boy loves to play outside. I'm glad that he does. I don't want him to be a couch potato sitting in front of the TV all day. Kids need to be outside, running, playing. I bond with him when we shoot the BB gun together, or kick the soccer ball, or when I try - unsuccessfully so far - to get him interested in baseball.

I was one of those who grew up in the new video game generation. I think I will wait a few more years before introducing it to my son. Let him discover how much fun he can have without video games first.

[dollfus46]

My little boy loves to play outside. I'm glad that he does. I don't want him to be a couch potato sitting in front of the TV all day. Kids need to be outside, running, playing. I bond with him when we shoot the BB gun together, or kick the soccer ball, or when I try - unsuccessfully so far - to get him interested in baseball.

I was one of those who grew up in the new video game generation. I think I will wait a few more years before introducing it to my son. Let him discover how much fun he can have without video games first.

Good for you, PI. Too many parents let TV babysit their children. The average number of hours a child is in front of the TV is troubling. Sadly, you have little time left to get your son interested in baseball. You realize, if you fail. you have to put him down. :smt022

[dollfus46]

fuzzis agrees: LOL! Now I don't know if it has to be THAT drastic, but maybe some serious reprogramming would be in order. Heh

You're probably correct, Fuzzis but I'm not real creative. That's my standard solution to everything that isn't as it should be. :-D But I appreciate your interest in baseball. If you like puppies and baseball, you can't be ALL bad. We can work around our political differences........maybe.:smt118:clap:

[fuzzis]

fuzzis agrees: LOL! Now I don't know if it has to be THAT drastic, but maybe some serious reprogramming would be in order. Heh

You're probably correct, Fuzzis but I'm not real creative. That's my standard solution to everything that isn't as it should be. :-D But I appreciate your interest in baseball. If you like puppies and baseball, you can't be ALL bad. We can work around our political differences........maybe.:smt118:clap:

I like apple pie too. :-D Like I said, us liberals aren't all that scary. We don't bite...too hard. Send that boy of yours on over. :smt118

[dollfus46]

I like apple pie too. :-D Like I said, us liberals aren't all that scary. We don't bite...too hard. Send that boy of yours on over. :smt118

Heck, I must be getting soft in my old age, or smarter. Probably good antidepressants. Heh heh heh. You're the only liberal I've ever had a conversation with. You guys are almost human....almost. Just had some great apple pie myself. Buy the new Sara Lee Simple Sweets pies. Individual size. You microwave for 6 min and it is awesome. Apple or Cherry. It says microwave 5 but go 6 or 7. Flaky crust and all.
I'll send the boy. He usually shows up at Homecoming. Find him at the Pike House.

[dollfus46]

Send that boy of yours on over. :smt118


Said the spider to the fly. :)

[fuzzis]

Heck, I must be getting soft in my old age, or smarter. Probably good antidepressants. Heh heh heh. You're the only liberal I've ever had a conversation with. You guys are almost human....almost. Just had some great apple pie myself. Buy the new Sara Lee Simple Sweets pies. Individual size. You microwave for 6 min and it is awesome. Apple or Cherry. It says microwave 5 but go 6 or 7. Flaky crust and all.
I'll send the boy. He usually shows up at Homecoming. Find him at the Pike House.

I'm making a peach cobbler this evening. Yum, yum, yum. Sara Lee ain't got nothin' on me.

Said the spider to the fly. :)

:angel:

[politically incorrect]

Good for you, PI. Too many parents let TV babysit their children. The average number of hours a child is in front of the TV is troubling. Sadly, you have little time left to get your son interested in baseball. You realize, if you fail. you have to put him down. :smt022
Good Lord, I better get to work. I thought I would just have to get him interested in soccer. Come to think of it, to me, watching soccer is a fate worse than death.:-D

[politically incorrect]

fuzzis agrees: LOL! Now I don't know if it has to be THAT drastic, but maybe some serious reprogramming would be in order. Heh
If you like puppies and baseball, you can't be ALL bad. We can work around our political differences........maybe.:smt118:clap:

I can vouch for fuzzis being a very likable liberal. I have to admit to having a few liberal friends. It makes me feel multicultural.:)

[fuzzis]

I can vouch for fuzzis being a very likable liberal. I have to admit to having a few liberal friends. It makes me feel multicultural.:)

:smt050

PI can also vouch for me being a very good cook. I know he's still dreaming about sausage bread. :smt118

[Astra]

I think bonding can happen during any activity. The trick is getting the parents involved in what their kids are doing, whether it is Halo or hopscotch.

I was talking to my mom the other day about some neighbors of mine who pretty much lock their kids out of the house all day. Sure, they're outside, but they're also without supervision, getting into trouble, and I'm not seeing a lot of exercise happening. At least if they were inside on the couch their mother wouldn't have to scream to the neighborhood when she's looking for them and I wouldn't keep finding other people's stuff tossed behind my house :/

[Pirate_129]

From CNN for Father's Day (http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/fun.games/06/15/gaming.parents.ap/index.html)

I sure do remember doing some bonding with my Dad when were trying to get that dang frog across the road on the higher levels of Frogger for the Atari 2600. Good times :p

[politically incorrect]

I sure do remember doing some bonding with my Dad when were trying to get that dang frog across the road on the higher levels of Frogger for the Atari 2600. Good times :p

My dad could never figure out how to put the game cartridge into the Atari. My criminal justice professor uncle, however, became addicted to Space Invaders.

[ComputerDude]

Good for you, PI. Too many parents let TV babysit their children. The average number of hours a child is in front of the TV is troubling. Playing video games is hardly the same as letting the TV babysit your kid. They're very interactive, they help with reading skills, hand-eye coordination. I'm definitely one who grew up on video games and because of that interest I pursued a career in computers. My son and I both enjoy playing video games together a lot. He loves playing outside as well but when it's ninety degrees outside I'd rather him stay inside where it's nice and cool.
We were bowling together last night on the Wii and as always, had a blast. (sad when a six year old kicks your butt on a video game :( )