I think there is definitely a generation gap here. Like Diane's, my family had dinner together, even breakfast. We kids didn't have any electronics in our rooms, unless they were clocks. Bedrooms were for sleep, and later also for homework and music practice. The dinner table was scary because Dad would grill us about current events and whatever we read in the papers that day.
My kids weren't allowed electronics in their rooms, either, until they were in high school. We have a whole house intercom and stereo system, so I could control the radio programming. By high school, they had TVs and their PCs, and were supposed to be doing their homework. We let them have their PCs in their rooms because my hubby and I didn't want them on our machines, since we're both in IT/Software Consulting. We used to have movie night together, like my parents had when I was a kid, and watched either videos or a movie on TV, with popcorn, even.
It's totally against feng shui, but I have had a TV in my bedroom for a few years, now, and a portable DVD player. The weird thing is that I don't really watch the TV, unless it's a movie or a particular program I want to see. I didn't have a TV in my bedroom for ages, but decided to put one in because my hubby travels so much. But, I still don't watch it much.
I think that, as parents, we need to be consistent and diligent about house rules regarding TVs, PCs, phones, etc. We have a responsibility as parents to teach them good habits, provide an education and support them through childhood. Kids should be engaged in life, not glued in front of screens. The weight gain among kids is as much from lack of physical activity as the foods they eat.
What I found appalling is the number of kids whose baby sitter was the TV because their parents were just too busy - or even too tired - to be bothered. There's something wrong with that picture.
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I think there is definitely a generation gap here. Like Diane's, my family had dinner together, even breakfast. We kids didn't have any electronics in our rooms, unless they were clocks. Bedrooms were for sleep, and later also for homework and music practice. The dinner table was scary because Dad would grill us about current events and whatever we read in the papers that day.
My kids weren't allowed electronics in their rooms, either, until they were in high school. We have a whole house intercom and stereo system, so I could control the radio programming. By high school, they had TVs and their PCs, and were supposed to be doing their homework. We let them have their PCs in their rooms because my hubby and I didn't want them on our machines, since we're both in IT/Software Consulting. We used to have movie night together, like my parents had when I was a kid, and watched either videos or a movie on TV, with popcorn, even.
It's totally against feng shui, but I have had a TV in my bedroom for a few years, now, and a portable DVD player. The weird thing is that I don't really watch the TV, unless it's a movie or a particular program I want to see. I didn't have a TV in my bedroom for ages, but decided to put one in because my hubby travels so much. But, I still don't watch it much.
I think that, as parents, we need to be consistent and diligent about house rules regarding TVs, PCs, phones, etc. We have a responsibility as parents to teach them good habits, provide an education and support them through childhood. Kids should be engaged in life, not glued in front of screens. The weight gain among kids is as much from lack of physical activity as the foods they eat.
What I found appalling is the number of kids whose baby sitter was the TV because their parents were just too busy - or even too tired - to be bothered. There's something wrong with that picture.
March 19, 2009 - 4:45pmThis Comment
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