More on Kids

Okay -- the holidays are ending and it's time for everyone to go back to school. I wonder how many kids got electronic presents from Santa and his minions....laptops, i-pods, i-touches, xbox, ps3, wii and more? I'm assuming the number is A LOT....

So parents -- here's my challenge to that question: How many parents see these new gifts as yet another way of keeping their kids from getting "bored?" (of course, they are also 'educational' -- I know that -- or at least I know I'm supposed to think that.)

I had the occasion to visit some friends over the holiday where their two pre-teens were playing Rock Band. In fact, Dad was also involved in the competition, and it was fun watching them all engaged (watching a TV screen together) in competition (I think?) The object seems to be to hit the right keys the most often to win the race? (I think I have that right). One of the kids was singing as the music from the game (accompanied by drum and guitar in competition) was crossing the screen. I acknowledged that this is one of the "hot" games right now, as my own 25 year old engages in it with his peers (and references to the game are typical in those gatherings.)

Are we taking communication and personality out of our exchanges with kids? While it was comforting seeing the family playing this together, the concept of togetherness is a bit strained when it involves 4 people all watching the same video screen -- no plot, just music to respond to.

It could be worse. One of the young non-talking crawlers I take care of got an electronic "ball" that rolls by itself and calls out to the baby to roll it, to play with it, to experience it. In the case of this young guy, it was fun because he is not left to his own devices -- this ball is just a toy he can bump or play with at his leisure. The "bad" part is that I know that countless other kids probably got this ball and have it in their "play yard" (bigger than a play pen so less likely to frustrate the caged child) in order to keep them entertained and engaged. In other words, there is an electronic item targeted at a 6 month old that is designed to play with them -- to save their caregiver from having to actually roll a ball while singing to them.

What's happening here people? Is this an old lady rant or an observation worth discussing?