Technology and your kids
A couple of months ago, I wrote about parenting partnerships and how you need partners in raising your children. These partners can be your spouse, your nanny, the grandparents, godparents, extended family, friends or hired help. You would notice that all those mentioned are living and breathing human beings. This is not because they are the only ones eligible to become parenting partners but I choose not to go the alternative - the non-human type of partner.
Computers and other tech gadgets have been part of our lives since my parents bought me my first game and watch (Octopus game). Now its the Wii and PSP and other games we can download and play in our PCs. In fact, I must confess I bought my eldest son a VTech computer for his 2nd birthday. It was the type that had taught kids a bunch of stuff like the alphabet, numbers and counting, shapes and many more. This is maybe why at 3, he was so much familiar with the use of the mouse and navigating his way with the different applications in our PC. At 4, he became skilled at playing Yahoo games for kids. At 4 and a half, he has become skilled at PSP.
To some extent, I know that these gadgets and games allow my child to improve his knowledge and brain development. If not strictly monitored though, it can also lead my child to become anti-social and disobedient (like not listening to his mom because he is playing).
This is why I do not allow my kids to play computer games at home and I have not bought my child his own PSP. Although he does have access to these when he visits the grandparents which is about twice a month. I guess I am worried that he will turn out to be a kid who is always stuck in front of a computer and would rather hack away at the keyboard then play games and mingle with other kids (believe me I have seen this happen to other kids).
Personally, I prefer my kids to be out in the sun playing with other kids, biking around the neighborhood and basically running around and getting themselves dirty. If they have to stay indoors, I prefer them to play with their Hot Wheels or Thomas trains or they can read any of the books they have in their collection.
So for the most part, I consider these as my non-human parenting partners. They keep my kids busy, and quiet when I have to cook meals or do some chores around the house. Almost always, they help keep me sane during weekends when everyone in the family is at home.
Do you have non-human parenting partners?
[...] Read more… [...]
the kids have their own Vtechs, too. and yep, their books, their pens and papers and crafts
no chance of them getting those video games, unless they could buy them with their own money and we’d agree to a sked.
raqgold - Thats what I tell my kids too! They need to study well so they get a good career so that they can buy themselves their own PSP or other gadgets.
[...] and screams of glee. That confirmed that my sons have not yet been brainstormed into thinking that computers mean everything and there is nothing else greater (they can learn that later on in life - [...]