As the kids get older, the presents get more complex... and much more expensive.
And what is the A #1 request this year?
Electronics.... iPods, mp3 players, cameras, personal video recorders, etc....
Action Man bought himself an iTouch last year. He earned the money and spent it on a brand new 4th generation iTouch. As soon as he got it, I password-protected the restrictions page and restricted almost everything. He was (and still is) a good sport about those restrictions. Youtube and web-surfing are not allowed. Never have been. He can text and listen to music and play games.
Just recently, we changed the netflix password and refused to allow him access.
He wasn't so thrilled about that.
(It wasn't for the reason you think.)
Action Man is enamored with old tv shows. Hogan's Heroes, MacGyver, and Miami Vice have been staples of his. Just recently he discovered Flashpoint (eh) and Psych. None of these shows are objectionable. In fact, Psych has been in our instant queue for quite awhile.
The problem was, Action Man was retiring to his room early, and staying up late watching for hours on end.
Then, Sports Fan started doing the same thing... taking our Kindle Fire, plunking in the ear buds and watching similar shows in his bedroom.
We were not comfortable with this arrangement. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it just didn't seem right.
One evening, Andrew had enough. He changed the Netflix password and refused access to the boys. Oh, the wailing and grinding of teeth! The pleads to Mom (since when have I become the softie??) and the muttering...
In sifting through the misery, it dawned on me. It's not that our boys are deprived. We have set up our school room as a game room for the summer. An extra tv with the wii and a dvd player is all set for them to play or watch (as earned by reading... btw) with their friends. The boys can easily go in there, close the door and watch Psych in the evenings. Here's the kicker, though. They won't be isolated. They won't be in total control. They'll have to agree on the episode... they may have to endure Little Dude for a few moments... or (gasp) Mom might relax next to them and watch.
We would never in a million years place a television in the boys' bedroom. But, sneaky technology, it was exactly what was happening when Action Man brought his iTouch to his room and Sports Fan squirreled up there with the Kindle Fire.
The boys, innocently enough, were slowly disappearing from the family. Relationships were being sacrificed to the screen. And Andrew and I were caught unawares.
It weaseled in through the back door, so to speak.
It's only been about 48 hours since we instituted this new rule. Last night, I spent the evening watching Psych with the boys. It's a quippy, funny show. I can see why they enjoy it. Mild swearing, yes, but nothing they can't handle. It was fun to enjoy it with them, to hear them laugh and just... share a couch for the evening.
And, judging from our conversations this morning... a different tone has taken hold, for sure... I think we got 'em back just in time.
One more month of summer.
I'm looking forward to evenings with my boys again.
:)
