Last Christmas Robert got a laptop from his dad. This completely replaced the old desktop we had given him and put in his room a year or so before. I thought it was time to get rid of it and give him something more useful(a dresser). My husband thought we should give it to Jacob. I was not thrilled with the idea. Why the heck would a four year old need a computer in his room? But also being one to not toss anything that could still be useful, we moved it into his room. It's been there about a month and he does not use it very often. He is more likely to get on my laptop down here. It also works faster and better as it is newer which even a four year old notices.
Jacob is quite good on the computer and of course on the Wii. My older boys were not even allowed to play video games until they knew how to read. Of course they were the first kids in the house so it was easier to keep them away. Jacob also has his own DS as he calls it. It is really the Leapster hand-held game system for younger kids. We thought it a great birthday present for him before the long cross country trip this summer. He does know how to use the DS' all the other kids have, I just can't trust him with one yet. Too easily breakable for that kind of money. Even Robert the older, supposed to be more responsible, child has lost his DS for an extended period of time and then finally found it again. He even went so far as to buy himself a new one only to return it a few weeks later when the old one finally turned up.
It is the world they live in, the world they are growing up in, where you are constantly connected. I'd love to shut the power off for a few days to make sure they could survive. We had a massive blackout quite a few years ago now that the big boys do remember. They also thought it was a lot of fun. At least I have that knowledge that we did make the most of it. They were considerably younger then though and not quite as connected to everything. I have my moments when I make them shut everything off and play a game or outside or just make them figure out what to do with themselves without it. They usually wind up having plenty of fun. Even if that type of fun and entertainment had to be forced upon them.
Andrew is constantly texting this girl he is friends with we know he likes. I'd love to tell him to write her an actual letter. You know put pen to paper and stick it in the mail. I think it might make a big impression. I think and hope he would know how to do this. Of course I don't tell him just incase she really only likes him as a friend and I don't want him to get hurt. But we all do sometime and taking chances is part of that. Hmmmmm maybe I'll suggest it later anyway. He would have to take it upon himslef to do it.
I wrote so much all the time, notes, letters, stories. Always pen or pencil and paper. I still do and I still like that way better. Of course typing here on the computer is a necessary evil for someone trying to write nowadays. I'm getting used to it. And better at it. I'm not frustrated as much. But I still have loads of pens paper and pencils all around my desk area. I even have a small notebook in my purse for when the mood strikes and I need some paper. I have some in the car usually too. It also works well if you're stuck somewhere and the kids need something to keep busy. Of course so do hand held video games but I'm less likely to let them bring them along.
I see that more often and it disgusts me. If you're taking your kids out to dinner at a restaurant what's wrong with talking to them to keep them busy and quiet while you wait for your food? Why do they need to have a screen in front of them? Why can't a kid sit quietly or learn to sit quietly while waiting for something? Being alone with your thoughts is such a horrible thing I know! Four hours in a car? Sure put on a DVD or video game. Thirty minutes to Grandpas house? No you can't bring it. And put your cell phone away and be polite and social while we are out. My kids may not like it but they know better than to try anymore. People are still people and seeing them and spending time with them still mean a whole lot more than shooting off a text or a quick post on Facebook. Personal touches will always mean so much more.
I still have some letters and things my husband sent and made me while we were dating. Sure the internet and cell phones hadn't exploded all over the place quite yet. They had begun and I do have some emails I saved by printing out also. I think my inbox still has one from before we were married that I have yet to delete. Not sure if I've printed it yet but will now just incase. I remember, ages ago, being at the beach with a guy I was dating at the time and he got a call on his cell phone. He was one of the few people I knew who even had one then. I thought it was the coolest thing. Hey look you can be on the phone at the beach. I definitely do not think that way anymore. If i'm out at the beach I'm usually there to relax I don't want anyone calling me. I don't want to talk to you now leave me alone. When I go the phone is almost always left in the car. If you can't reach me for a little while. It's ok. Somehow we will both survive!
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