by waltrapp » Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:05 pm
Very interested in other people's thoughts on this. My son has really been into video games for a few years (he's now 7), and we have to beg him to go outside, to play sports, etc. We've also typically limited his Wii time to 30-45 minutes a couple nights during the week with more time allowed on the weekends. That said, he and his sister typically spend an hour watching Netflix at night after dinner, homework, baths, etc. while Mommy and Daddy get stuff done around the house, lunches prepped, etc. and before we read stories for bedtime. After buying the Wii U and Disney Infinity, I'm both encouraged and discouraged by my son's reaction (as well as my own). On one hand, I feel like the creativity involved with playing this game (vs. say a fighting game like Skylanders or an adventure game like Epic) is such a healthier/more beneficial way to spend an hour than watching television. Not to mention, there's so much to do with the game that I feel like if I only let him play an hour or two during the week and then a few hours on weekends, he'll never even scratch the surface of what the game can do and what he can do with the game. The downside is that he's completely obsessed (and I may be a little too) with the game. Pretty much all he talks about and all he wants to do. We've been making him earn extra game time by reading chapter books, doing choirs, etc., which I think is certainly a positive. I'm a little concerned, however, that by feeding and fueling this hobby, that I'm diminishing the chance that he will be come more interested in sports and outdoor activities as he gets older. Just curious how others feel about what is reasonable and what is unreasonable for a 7 year old.