Dec. 21, 2005 - It's done!!

I finally cracked!!  I took all the video game systems and the games and put them out of sight indefinately!!!!!!  My middle boy had a complete melt down yesterday when told he couldn't play any longer, this irritated as well as worried me.  So, I did the only thing I could think of at the time, removed the temptation!  He screamed and cried as I lugged it all away.  It was pathetic and sad.  Made me feel like a real failure as a mom, with all the boundries I have been setting with that darned machine and it still took over his brain!  I guess some kids just have a tendancy toward obsessive behaviors when it comes to visual media.  My oldest boy was just fine with it and even bragged to his buddy (who happen to spend the night that evening) that our family is on a video game fast!!  He then went on to explain to this young man the downfalls of excessive video game use.  I was quite impressed.  I only hope my other boy will figure it out as well.  Today he hasn't asked but twice to play and both times took it rather welll when reminded of the dimise of his game system.  I talked to my dh and we both decided that we would keep it put away until after Christmas and then only bring it out on rainy days, special occasions.  We will just have to make it something special and not apart of our daily lives.  DS just can't handle it and needs to be forced to realize how he is reacting when denied a game.  Boy, I do hope when folks read this they don't think we are just awful parents, allowing our kids free reign of video games and such...that just isn't the case.  In fact I am a very structured person and have always had my boys earn time on the machine, tv or computer....but just lately these devices have become our families enemy.  :(  I need to keep praying about this one.

Dec. 21, 2005 - Congrats on your video "fast"