Two-Fer

You lucky readers, you get a two-fer today! There is just way too much going on in this addled brain of mine!

Video Games

I'll be honest, I've grown to hate those words.  I've grown to hate the activities, and everything they bring.  They make me cringe inwardly, and die a little inside.  We've always been hardcore about them, more strict than most parents.  The only game consoles we own are a first generation Wii, and a first generation DS.  For real.  We have supplied new games, but usually only as holiday and birthday gifts.  We don't own a lot of games.  We've always felt the money--and time--can be better spent.  I will admit that yes, there are bad days when I've allowed the video games as babysitters.  Some days, Mommy just needs a break.

What happens after that break is never pretty: whining, the "okay, hang on a second" when I tell them to turn it off, the loud, out of control behavior.  Yes, you got to play--now you have chores.  Oh, my gosh.  I have learned that time of quiet during the video games is just no longer worth it.  

My children need to be active.  They need to be outside, or playing with their Legos, toys and whatever else.  They have energy to burn that obviously does not burn playing video games.  I know many parents make the "but they're learning and using skills" argument--nope.  Not here.  You can do those same things, develop those same skills, doing real, physical activities.  This view makes us quite the unpopular household in our neighborhood...  Contrary to popular belief, video games do not bring families closer together.  At least, not in this house.

So, this Christmas, as we looked over our children's wish lists, we bucked the system.  No new video games.  That's right.  Instead, we bought six new board games.  Our elf left Scrabble for the kids one night, and Santa brought five others.  

And you know what happened?  

Something truly magical....  Something truly beautiful....  Something truly wonderful...

We are spending more time together as a family.  We are laughing, talking, sitting around the table for more than just meals.  The TV is off, the video games have been put away, and the board games are constantly going.  I now have a daily afternoon appointment to play Uno or Scrabble with Noah and his best friend (who, I love him for this, doesn't even ask for video games here anymore--he asks for the board games!).  *Side note:  Teenagers are cut throat with games* I now have a regular date to play Uno or Connect Four with Avery.  Shawn has been playing Stratego with Noah.  And, as a family, we are playing, and just being together.

This is what I want out of life.  This is what I want for our family.  This is what they, what we all, deserve.