[email protected]

My kids haven't discovered the video games. I don't limit computer
games, except that we only have one computer and they need to quit when
it's my turn or time for dinner, etc. Computer usage hasn't been a
problem (yet). They sometimes will play for a long time, but they
usually get tired of it or we need to go somewhere. I'm hoping to have
another computer in a year or two. They are 8 and 5 now.

I do limit watching TV. We don't have cable, which greatly limits TV
appeal! 8 yr old rarely asks to watch a movie, but will watch if one is
going. I'm not really sure why I have this limit, except that too much
TV seems to "dull" them. We did have a TV WEEK after Christmas. 5yr dd
asked if she could check out her limit of movies at the library, so we
each did and came home with 15 movies that we could keep for a week and I
said they could watch whenever they wanted. I'm happy to say that we
ended up not seeing all of them. In fact, she preferred to re-view one
or two rather than see a new one. But we did spend more time plopped on
the couch than normal.

In Mother Dance (by same author as Dance of Anger, Lerner?), she writes
of an experiment with her sons. She designated a shelf in the pantry
where they each had their own space. They went to the store and they
each got to buy their favorite candy. Then mom made sure that the pantry
was always well stocked with their goodies and they had unlimited access.
(Can you imagine? Johnny, your M&Ms are running low. Put it on the
grocery list!) If I recall correctly, they at first overdid the sweets
and then got tired of them. In fact, she tells of her younger son
"sneaking" grapes at a buffet party. The parents were boycotting grapes
because of worker issues, so they never had them in the house. It's not
a homeschooling book, but I enjoyed reading her mothering insights. Got
some good laughs too.

Mary Ellen
Gain weight... Stay Active... Get Smarter...
New Year's Resolutions are EASY for Babies!
<Hi and Lois>

[email protected]

-=- (Can you imagine? Johnny, your M&Ms are running low. Put it on
the
grocery list!) -=-

Too much mom-management there. If Johnny's M&Ms are running out and
he doesn't ask for more, maybe he's had enough for the month or the
year.

I CAN imagine giving kids unlimited choices, because we do. And M&Ms
are loved, but still rarely requested.

I had some in a container in my room. The kids knew. They still
lasted a month. It's a long walk to my room and they had to REALLY
want M&Ms.

Tami Labig-Duquette

I usually dont put to many restrictions on mine, seems like if I say no
t.v., then thats all they want to do. I do however monitor what they watch.
By the way I visited your site and you kiddies are cute!
Tami

>From: pookaberry <pookaberry@...>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: video games/ computer games
>Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 08:38:07 -0700
>
> Not quoting anything just had something general to add.
>While we don't really games at the moment. (we don't have
>any) The one thing I worry about with an excess of
>computer, game, or tv time is the lack of exercise. So
>while I wouldn't really limit games I would say that for
>every hour of game time I expected an equal amount of
>exercise be it biking, soccer, running etc...
>
>Mara Arlene
>momma to Cleopatra (03/19/98) and Thony (09/26/00)
>http://members.nettrash.com/blackthorn
>-- an idiot proof society breeds idiots. -- unknown
>
>_________________________________________________________
>Do You Yahoo!?
>Get your free @... address at http://mail.yahoo.com
>

_________________________________________________________________
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pookaberry

Not quoting anything just had something general to add.
While we don't really games at the moment. (we don't have
any) The one thing I worry about with an excess of
computer, game, or tv time is the lack of exercise. So
while I wouldn't really limit games I would say that for
every hour of game time I expected an equal amount of
exercise be it biking, soccer, running etc...

Mara Arlene
momma to Cleopatra (03/19/98) and Thony (09/26/00)
http://members.nettrash.com/blackthorn
-- an idiot proof society breeds idiots. -- unknown

_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @... address at http://mail.yahoo.com

[email protected]

In a message dated 01/29/01 8:10:27 AM, pookaberry@... writes:

<< So
while I wouldn't really limit games I would say that for
every hour of game time I expected an equal amount of
exercise be it biking, soccer, running etc... >>

Would you do that yourself, too? Or do you consider housework to be exercise
enough? I'm asking, because I have a big, spread-out three-level house and I
end up doing a lot of exercise just moving things from room to room
(especially things like a big vacuum cleaner, big kids, frozen foods).

Modelling behavior seems better than requiring it, but there I am pointing
out logic-flaws and potential problems again... (get used to it, i guess
<bwg>)

Sandra

pookaberry

SandraDodd@... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 01/29/01 8:10:27 AM,
> pookaberry@... writes:
>
> << So
> while I wouldn't really limit games I would say that for
> every hour of game time I expected an equal amount of
> exercise be it biking, soccer, running etc... >>
>
> Would you do that yourself, too? Or do you consider
> housework to be exercise
> enough? I'm asking, because I have a big, spread-out
> three-level house and I
> end up doing a lot of exercise just moving things from
> room to room
> (especially things like a big vacuum cleaner, big kids,
> frozen foods).
>
It sounds like you get quit the work out! I consider some
of the housework I do exercise, some not. I tend to work
out a couple times a week (sometimes less) but I usually run
around in the yard with my daughter and play with her.

> Modelling behavior seems better than requiring it, but
> there I am pointing
> out logic-flaws and potential problems again... (get used
> to it, i guess
> <bwg>)
>
> Sandra

Exactly. I have never believed that saying "do as I say,
not as I do" would ever work. I impose similar rules on
myself (kind of tough on days when I'm feeling lazy) I
think most of all I enjoy being flexible. If my daughter
comes up with a good enough reason to do something I've
already said no to I'm not afraid to change my mind. (she
can come up with some pretty good reasons too)

Mara Arlene
momma to Cleopatra (03/19/98) and Thony (09/26/00)
http://members.nettrash.com/blackthorn
-- an idiot proof society breeds idiots. -- unknown

_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @... address at http://mail.yahoo.com

pookaberry

Tami Labig-Duquette wrote:
>
> I usually dont put to many restrictions on mine, seems
> like if I say no
> t.v., then thats all they want to do. I do however monitor
> what they watch.
I know what you mean. Our tv is broken at the moment so
that's all I seem to want to do today. That and now there
are four people vying for the computer.

> By the way I visited your site and you kiddies are cute!
> Tami
>
Thanks :)

Mara Arlene
momma to Cleopatra (03/19/98) and Thony (09/26/00)
http://members.nettrash.com/blackthorn
-- an idiot proof society breeds idiots. -- unknown

_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @... address at http://mail.yahoo.com