Kids and Video Games

What is it with video games? They are the bane of existence for so many kids.  Who am I to say differently because I was one of those kids.  I remember looking forward to coming home from middle school just to play Duck Tales and Zelda on my Nintendo.  My situation was the best though. I am a twin so my brother and I always had a competitor and teammate, depending on which games we were playing.

I have a video game system now and I actually can't remember when I didn't have one of the popular systems.  I had Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, Sega Dream Cast, and now the Wii (this is my favorite).

Now that I am working through my memories and thoughts, It really does make sense why games are so addictive.  They are fun, you can be something that you are usually not (like a Marine or an Olympic Snowboarder) , and they help you forget about anything stressful (until the game stresses you out and you want to throw it through the window).

Kids love games and because of technology so many types of video games are available.  Ipod games, Nintendo DS, other portable systems, laptops/computer games, and all those crazy systems, gaming is and will always be the #1 love of kids.

Think about it.  What other things do kids have to look forward to.  School...uhhh. no.  Homework...uhhh....no, social events...uhhh. maybe.... but what else is there.  Relationships...uhhh. I really hope not.  Sports...sure but still not as popular as video games.

A prime example is my boy, Matt.  He's six and can rock the socks off of Mario Galaxy on the Wii and Lego Indiana Jones.  This is no doubt that this is what he enjoys the most especially when I play along side of him.  The problem is that, just like when I was a kid, it is addictive and we as the parents have to pull the plug when necessary.

Today we had a snow day. We were snowed in.  We read some books, played some board games, built some tents, but the entire day revolved around, "daddy, is it time to play the Wii."  Seriously, we had a great time doing other stuff but we know where the obsession lies. 

It's good that he enjoys it but my wife and I really have to monitor his playing and make sure he balances his time well with other activities and not only video games.  Enough was Enough today when there were certain boards he couldn't beat and he continuously came up to me to ask me to help beat the board, every 15 minutes for an hour.   I would help him and then he would come get me. When I said I couldn't anymore, he said "but you never help me."  HA, really?????  That was the cue to unplug.

Anyway the point is to monitor and moderate the time our kids spend on video games.  I believe it has helped him mature and develop in areas he had been struggling with and the learning games are phenomenal.  They could help your kids too but we definitely do not want to deprive them of the other important aspects of life like spending quality time with the family.

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Putting the Kids to Bed

Putting the kids to bed can either be a daunting never ending battle, or it can be kind of fun. My kids do not like to go to bed. They also never take naps.. they go all day long and just don't get tired.

Our nightly regiment for them is take a bath, get dressed, they go brush their teeth, and go into bed. It's time to read a book, read a bible story, pray, and shut the lights off. However, I wish it were that easy. If we stay in the room with them , they'll stay quiet and fall asleep, eventually. The Many times we have done that, either myself or Diana will fall asleep also, leaving us with no time to do the things we need to do.

We have stopped staying in their room and have encountered the issue of them coming out, saying they are thirsty, saying they are hungry, saying the other is making sounds, having scary visions, ANY excuse just to come out.

The solution. DO not talk to them, DO not argue with them, and I will reiterate this another time...... you should not try debating with young children, it's a Moot point. Lift them up and walk them back to their room and place them in bed. They will continue coming out, but after the fifth or sixth time, they will stay in bed. This takes patience but it will work. Good luck!!!

Valentine's Day for Dad's

Here we are again. Another Valentine's Day uncelebrated. My wife and I do not really celebrate this Holiday. The only reason we celebrate around this time is that I have a long weekend due to being off from where I teach.

We are actually visiting my mother this weekend in Pennsylvania and we are having so much fun. My Mother got me and the fam a Valentine's Card, and that was really nice.

Today, Valentine's Day, We spent the day sledding down some pretty great hills in PA with the kids. The kids loved it. I think it is a great experience to take your kids sledding BUT, I know you knew there was a "But" coming, Dad winds up doing a lot of the work carrying the kids and sleds up these Ginormous hills. I was smarter about it this year though. I lifted properly. LAst year I bent all kinds of ways and wound up walking around like a 90 year old for 3 weeks. Man That HURT!!!!

Anyway, Regardless of what kind of day you have had, put the kids to be early and make sure you spend the rest of your night with your wife, if you know what I mean. It is Valentine's Day so now you have a reason. Have fun and Stay Tuned for More DADS TALK RADIO!

Parenting Tip

Today's Parenting Tip:

When Your child begins to get stubborn and whining about not getting what they want, divert the attention to something else. Tell them that you understand how they feel but that's the way it is. THEN change the subject.

(we were looking at houses and checking out the basement of a particular house).

Daddy: "Hey Zach, I know you wanted to walk down those steep steps by yourself but daddy had to carry you down to keep you safe."

Zach: "I WANTED TO WALK DOWN!!!!". ($%%^&$@#%^$$^^&&*&^.....him throwing a fit)

Daddy: "I understand that but Daddy wants to make sure you are safe, and it wouldn't be safe if you walked down without my help"

OF Course, LOGIC does not apply to a 3 1/2 year old so instead of me arguing with him and telling him to stop whining and stop throwing a tantrum.

Daddy "Hey Zach, I think I hear a mouse over there." "Hey, Look over there"

Zach: "There's no mouse".

Daddy "Really?, Let's go see."

Zach: "Ok"

Problem Solved.

Keep your eyes on this blog for more Effective Parenting Tips!

The Secret to Parenting

The Secret To Parenting is Love. Love your children. It's rough sometimes when they are yelling, fighting, screaming, knocking things over in grocery stores, breaking your nice china, or just plain old behaving bad, but try not to get angry. Be Firm, Reprimand Immediately following the incident, remind them that you love them, and follow through on any threats of punishment.

As Parents, we get angry too but I think too often we display anger and emotional stress when dealing with a behavioral issue. And Sometimes we FLIP out when the kids have an accident and break something or touch something that they were not supposed to touch. Take a breath for a second.

Many times kids don't mean to cause harm or damage and we have to deal with that as such. And sometimes kids forget the rules. It is so important to have consequences and to follow through consistently. Be firm but loving. Give them a hug when the consequence is completed and remind them how much you love them but there are consequences to breaking rules.

RIGHT NOW. Go to your children and give them a big hug, look them in the eyes, and tell them how much you love them!

I Announced It!

Hello my eager to learn bloggers. JJ Peterson here with some exciting news. As viewed in my last post I was going to announce to my dad teh exciting news during a podcast. Well It COULDN'T WAIT. We told most of the family on Saturday except my parents. oooppps. My dad and I were not going do our dads talk radio podcast until the next weekend. I couldn't have someone else slip up and tell them.

I went over their house to borrow a shovel and I thought of a good way to tell them. My dad and I talk business a lot; podcasting, blogs, websites, etc. So I said lets tlak about upcoming podcasts. So we sat there thinking for a minute, with my mom and grandmother in the room, and I said I got one. "How about, I'm having a baby in September". Puzzled at first, all three of them, they finally caught on and the usual reaction took place. It was exciting to tell them! I love my parents and I am so excited when i see them excited. It gives them more motivation to stay healthy and try to stay around for as long as possible.

Today's BIT of Excitement:

Speaking of health, I tried this new LIQUID multi-vitamin today for the first time and it comes with a financial benefit. I know you would expect me to say that but wow, I was more focused and more confident than ever.

For a few years, I had been looking for different ways, parents, can earn a little bit more money every month. I have researched and experienced different companies and found GBG (Guided By God) to be the absolute simplest and most profitable . If you are that type of person who takes vitamins or likes money :), check it out at 2get2get2.

Anyway till next time my eager to learn bloggers!!!!

Having a Baby? Dads Talk Radio

Hello my fellow bloggers. Are you having a baby? I AM....again. Not only is this a podcast but a blog with really cool tips, stories, and information. My wife and I have 2 young children and we just found out that we are having a third.

I, being a dad, am going to have an even more exciting time with this blog/podcast. Diana and I are so excited and My dad, school psychologist, George Peterson, does not know yet and I want to tell him on the next podcast this weekend!! LIVE!!

Stay tuned and keep subscribing for more drama, bigger tips, heartfelt stories, and exciting events to come with Dads Talk Radio!

call to action:

• Please write us at dadstalkradio.gmail.com to tell us your experience at the grocery store with your kids. I have stories which I'll share next time. stay tuned.
• To learn about an amazing home business I found out about and get your family started right and give your kids the things that our parents couldn't give us. go to www.2get2get2.com (it's a vitamin company with a multivitamin that is affordable, and pays back!!! What I've learned as a dad is that if my wife is going to continue to stay home with our kids, I must continue earning multiple streams of income especially when we are having a Baby, again. lol