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In a message dated 11/5/05 12:00:00 PM, realitybus85@... writes:


> My 15yo ds plays x-box live by the hour. He only comes out of his room to
> eat or go to the bathroom. He doesn't participate in any sports or other
> outside activities nor does he have any desire to right now.
>

http://sandradodd.com/videogames

-=- I tried to find a computer place he could volunteer at but he's to young
for that too. -=-

Why would you feel better if he were volunteering at "a computer place"
rather than choosing to use the computer the way he wants to? (And an X-Box and
the games people are playing on X-Box live qualify as computer for certain.)

-=- I must admit because of his age I'm starting to panic especially when
people ask what he's doing school wise this year!!-=-

How long have you unschooled?
What would you be saying about what he's doing "schoolwise" if he were NOT
playing X-Box?
Can't your answer be "We don't use a curriculum; we learn from all kinds of
things. He's been playing a lot of [whatever game]; have you played it?"

-=- I don't want to turn into the nagging, yelling, freaked out mom.-=-

That wouldn't help anything at all.

So what have you been doing lately? What have you been learning? What's
new with you?

-=-He only comes out of his room to eat or go to the bathroom.-=-

Do you ever take food to him in there and sit and watch him play?
I've done that many times.

Sandra


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Barbara Mullins

So with the Xbox live do they actually have voice communication with
each other? What's the youngest the games go for that?
Also do any of you have kids who talk with other kids using Skype?
One of those free computer to computer phone things? I would be more
relaxed if I son could talk with other kids more often. He's a 7yo
only and he rarely plays with any other kids, and even rarer that he
gets to play with another unschooled child and most of the schooled
ones he talks to have been rather bullish. He doesn't write/type quite
well enough yet to do a chat room yet but he does like to talk on the
phone. Barbara

Gold Standard

>>So with the Xbox live do they actually have voice communication with
>>each other?<<

Yes.

>>What's the youngest the games go for that?<<

My son says he believes the youngest games are marked for teens.

>>I would be more
>>relaxed if I son could talk with other kids more often. He's a 7yo
>>only and he rarely plays with any other kids, and even rarer that he
>>gets to play with another unschooled child and most of the schooled
>>ones he talks to have been rather bullish. He doesn't write/type quite
>>well enough yet to do a chat room yet but he does like to talk on the
>>phone.<<

Barbara, it has been great for my guy for social stuff. There is lots of
laughter and interchange. There is also "bully" kind of talk, swearing and
name-calling, etc. He seems to move through that well too, and we talk a
whole lot about it. There are other younger children you son's age playing.

Jacki