tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post3764755280332711384..comments2023-11-20T03:37:18.313-05:00Comments on The Knitty Gritty Homestead: Get Your Tea; I'm On a Rant.The Knitty Gritty Homesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890656094078973552noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-12589266417818819702012-04-06T20:22:41.107-04:002012-04-06T20:22:41.107-04:00Thank you again for this read. I have recently as...Thank you again for this read. I have recently asked around about gadgets as I was considering buying one but just couldn't get my head around it. I asked people's opinions and got the whole gamut. It seems the only thing that matter to me is EXACTLY what you've written here. So that's kind of my answer isn't it?Julie Wallbridge (feminist farmer's wife)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07470432081002846531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-1119708131493960352012-01-29T11:31:18.940-05:002012-01-29T11:31:18.940-05:00I'm right there with you. As with most things...I'm right there with you. As with most things, I think it's an issue of balance and moderation. I wrote a post describing my own struggle with the balance here: http://twyste.com/2011/12/30/Tech-or-trek/ I think it will be an ongoing juggling process...which is true in many areas of parenting and living in general!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13156528089475977165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-6048071797595000392012-01-12T02:18:50.735-05:002012-01-12T02:18:50.735-05:00Hi!
I realize that I'm a little late on joinin...Hi!<br />I realize that I'm a little late on joining this conversation, but that's ok. <br />I *loved, loved, loved* this post!!<br />My kids are waking and I'd love to write a creative response, but I really don't like having a 'blue face' when I communicate with them.<br />Thanks for writing this wonderful post!Kaylanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11093113911143784696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-34065754731317068392011-09-01T01:37:52.533-04:002011-09-01T01:37:52.533-04:00AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN.
Back in the 90's (haha) I...AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN.<br />Back in the 90's (haha) I did feel left out of the loop because we *didn't* get started with those early gaming systems like other kids did. But now as an adult it totally doesn't matter, it's just one conversation out of one-thousand-billion that I have nothing to contribute to.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01598524571479954748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-74418182175364745542011-07-12T13:33:50.244-04:002011-07-12T13:33:50.244-04:00thankyou for posting this. I'm always trying t...thankyou for posting this. I'm always trying to find a nice medium. I pick and choose according to our present situation. I use a computer, obviously.I'm on it right now (:. <br />But for our girls it's part of homeschooling.<br />Family Ipod yes. because music is a huge part of our lives.<br /><br />The one thing I cannot stand, is video games. I refuse to buy any of the game systems. <br />When I see a child spending, literally, hours staring at a screen. I think "I do not want this for my child".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-70411246307013805732011-07-06T17:05:32.786-04:002011-07-06T17:05:32.786-04:00Hmmm. This is a tricky one for me. My husband work...Hmmm. This is a tricky one for me. My husband works from home, developing websites for Visa. He enjoyed simple programming as a child, but mixed it up with loads of social time and sports. He is a real techie, and needs to test apps he is writing on various machines. So our house is filling up with lots of devices - macs, iphone, ipad, PC. Some are by necessity some bought for our personal home use. My 2 year old fella is quite nifty with the ipad already. But we ourselves are rather enamoured by it since it is a novelty for now, and the ability to check in on emails in amongst all the other things we do in a day is realy neat- no more having to set up a PC laboriously or only do it at a certain time. It's quick and easy to have a quick peek on things. <br />It's very difficult for me to say "Too much computer time is bad for you" when Daddy is sat in the next room earning us a living out of it. A living that gives us flexibility, good money, and the freedom to have loads of weekends away with friends, days out, educational materials, and money to help others in greater need than us. <br /><br />My husband is really a hippy at heart who has accidentally made some good money from his job and who actually loves the creative process, and is mainly working for that reason.<br /><br />So how do we balance the computing thing out with other activities? Well, we just do! We garden, we cook, we go walking, we play at parks, meet up with friends, we draw, paint, do all sorts of other stuff too. I absolutely do not let my guys play anything violent on their computer, and being home schooled, they are actually pretty innocent concerning video nasties, they just don't know about them really. The only time they came into contact with that was with some kids in our village, which was really dissappointing, as I now don't want them playing at their houses...so yes, computers in THAT case, have caused a social division. But hey, here I am spending time on my computer instead of chatting to hubby at the end of a long day, so off I go! <br /><br />But yeah, basically, I think balance is the key, and content is also key. It's the tone of games and how appropriate they are that causes me more of a headache than the use of these things full-stop. I think they can be educational, as long as they're not being constantly used INSTEAD of or as a REPLACEMENT for real life.Motherfunkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10809370449833738968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-9982296243616396062011-01-24T12:51:55.696-05:002011-01-24T12:51:55.696-05:00wow this is a powerful piece. I'm going to sha...wow this is a powerful piece. I'm going to share it on my blog, but I'd love to get this out to more people too. I feel the same ways, why the rush for kids to grow up? I'll be sharing this soon on my blog, along with my the price of trendy piece and others as I fins them. There needs to be a revolution. :)Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15013152465802223976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-86883442493047017392011-01-24T09:25:35.208-05:002011-01-24T09:25:35.208-05:00Oh, how I wish I was your neighbour down the road ...Oh, how I wish I was your neighbour down the road -- it would be so lovely to have a kindred spirit on this issue! I, too, am deeply concerned about the use and over-use of handheld devices and video games. We don't have a Wii, DS, DVD in the car -- heck, we don't even have TV, though the kids are allowed to watch a movie on the weekends. I've seen kids plugged into their devices -- on school buses, at recess, on playdates and it saddens me. There's no social interaction with other children, with nature -- it's passive entertainment. My kids have very little screen time and they never cease to amaze me with their creativity and imagination. Do I worry that I'm out of sync with the rest of the world? Yes, but only because I think we're going in the wrong direction with all these gadgets and I'm concerned about the tech-obsessed world that my children are going to inherit. Thanks very much for your post. I'm with you 100%.fiona@fionacampbell.cahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09455351263890165906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-24039612873122356362011-01-23T09:08:51.721-05:002011-01-23T09:08:51.721-05:00Yes, I agree! Here's our story.
My husband a...Yes, I agree! Here's our story.<br /><br />My husband and I bought a "gaming system" when they first came out about 22 years ago. We had no kids at the time but were expecting. The two of us played with it night and day and far into the night, even on days when we both had to go to work the next day. We realized together that 1) they're addicting; and 2) they're a waste of time. We made the decision to throw it away and to never get one for our children.<br /><br />They had access to technology, but as a RESOURCE for learning about themselves and the world, not as something to fill their hours with entertainment. We filled our hours doing lots of the things you talk about in your excellent blog entry, including lots and lots of reading together.<br /><br />22 years later, our children are both very successful in very fine colleges, are very creative, read a lot and enjoy many pasttimes. They have many talents and interests and are always inquisitive about knowing more about a variety of topics. They have great social skills with other kids and with adults. They volunteer in the community. They have jobs. They know how to handle any situation in which they find themselves. <br /><br />We have no regrets at all about how we chose to educate our children in the hours that they weren't in school. I believe that VIDEO GAMES V. NO VIDEO GAMES is something that parents should think about carefully and choose the path that best fits them, knowing that there will be consequences down the line for both paths.<br /><br />TamarieTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00041418695400735373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-40057658271384054382011-01-18T17:36:10.829-05:002011-01-18T17:36:10.829-05:00Thank you for such a good post and for having the...Thank you for such a good post and for having the gusto to just say it! <br />Your post gave me the courage to just let all my thoughts come out today on my own blog - bring on the comments! Thank you! - Erin <br /><br />http://onetwotwentyseven.blogspot.com/2011/01/snowstorm-snow-day-shovel-repeat.htmlErinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11347006752733877027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-23016776293958759482011-01-18T15:32:30.480-05:002011-01-18T15:32:30.480-05:00I also agree with what everyone has said about mod...I also agree with what everyone has said about moderation. It is hard to know what to provide for your children in a world where so much has changed since we were kids. I am 30 something and remember in Grade 5 the 'first computer' in our school was in our classroom! <br /><br />My partner's Uncle bought all their grandkids DS's for Christmas 2 years ago. Now when we go and visit that is ALL they are doing. My kids are 4 and 3 and they come crying to me why their cousins aren't playing with them. I realize that it is nice for the adults to actually have 'quiet' and time to 'talk' but I also think it is not good when you have to tell your child to get away from the screen and 'play' with their cousins, and then they are upset.<br /><br />I am trying to maintain moderation for my children as well and will probably be struggling with it for the rest of their childhood!menatrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09417460157450694722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-65905222683973702912011-01-18T12:59:58.908-05:002011-01-18T12:59:58.908-05:00I'm going to agree with all the comments leani...I'm going to agree with all the comments leaning toward moderation. As the saying goes "Moderation is the spice of life"(or maybe my Mom just made that up as she use to say it to me ALL the time.) <br />This year, the dreaded question came up for Christmas; "Can I have a DS?". She's 4. We opted for a wooden train set that we can all play together. <br /><br />But, over the holidays, we adults played played the "Kinect" for xbox(imagine 10 30-something adults having dance-offs after all the kids were safe in bed) and we go to thinking maybe, just maybe, the family can get a system to play on games nights in the next few years. Dancing together is something we do in the kitchen regularly so this could be fun too, in moderation.<br /><br />One of the hard things to teach your children is moderation. We are 2 parents that work full time, I commute too far and I create schedules for a living. Sometimes, I just want the entertainment provided, something I could do WITH my kids that does not make a mess I need to clean up. Don't get me wrong. In the summer, you'll find us camping, at the local splash pad, the Zoo or making mudpies in the backyard. I hope that by doing a variety of things, our kids will see how much fun everything can be if we do it together and that WHAT we are doing doesn't really matter. We'll see how that works out.mama melishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13924338554288814056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-30885858822490436182011-01-18T09:28:28.704-05:002011-01-18T09:28:28.704-05:00What a fabulous discussion this has been! I have b...What a fabulous discussion this has been! I have been checking in every day and reading the comments. Haven't left one yet as homesteadgirl and I had a long talk on the phone so it seemed redundant. My feelings, though, to lean towards the everything in moderation and parental control. Our girls do not have DSs, or a Wii, or any video games and have supervised use of the internet. This is partly from our own beliefs (outdoors, crafts, family activites, PLAYING TOGETHER come first) and partly for financial reasons. It doesn't make you a bad parent for having these devices, nor does it make you a better parent for not having them, what matters is that we teach our children about balance, priorities, manners, etc.Lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06592532417364025009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-71822892204812639802011-01-18T06:57:31.057-05:002011-01-18T06:57:31.057-05:00A few parents mentioned how their children make th...A few parents mentioned how their children make the choice to put away electronic games or restrict their use for example to car rides, etc. I want to make an argument that there may be an interaction between each child's personality and how addictive these devices can become. I have watched my nieces grow up with TV on in the house at all times, and playing Wii and computer games and they seem to strike a balance on their own. However, my son seems to get completely absorbed (and has since he was a toddler) with anything electronic even TV to the extent that he can't even hold a conversation. We also don't think it is "healthy" to be too attached to electronics and that it takes away from other activities. So we have strict rules and time quota, avoid purchasing things that are "portable", and getting out in sun, rain and snow. He is almost 7 and up untile a month ago was only allowed TV and pbskids internet games but we finally bought him a lego computer game. He loves it but he knows his play time is limited. I doubt he will ever self-regulate his use the way his cousins have but it's ok. It's my job as his parent to help him not get addicted.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06030021308185030647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-80954106963089984682011-01-17T21:18:16.352-05:002011-01-17T21:18:16.352-05:00I have wine instead of tea.... but it's 8 pm a...I have wine instead of tea.... but it's 8 pm and my little ones are in bed... that's okay right (laughing)<br />I have a 14 year old son who does get an hour of computer time each day.... often extra when he is skyping with friends. He and a buddy play cards over skype. How wild is that? We have no video games. I have still not given in and I am damn proud of it!! I know what happens when we watch one too many movies (rare since we have no cable and only recently acquired a free tv) but the kids totally get all into replaying the movie and the quality of conversation turns to poo! Just tonight we sat around the dinner table eating leftover soup sipping wine and my husband spent an hour (an hour!!) telling the kids crazy stories from his youth which had them all in a fit of giggles.<br />I am not trading that for regular zombie time each day. And while it is hard, I am so glad I have pushed against the mainstream and kept our house a little less techy than most.<br /><br />xoxo :)<br />~sStephiniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15132605618075175372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-90998131430864739302011-01-17T18:02:54.570-05:002011-01-17T18:02:54.570-05:00I think everyone has to walk their own path as a p...I think everyone has to walk their own path as a parent. I had a friend tell me one time that if she feels guilty at all about something as a parent then that is her signal to change course!<br /><br />I grew up with unlimited tv time and video game time but we spent tons of time outdoors as well. One of my biggest aggravations as a parents is that kids do not play outside anymore. It snowed last week and we were the only people playing outside. There are enough kids in my neighborhood to fill a full sized school bus and it sounded like we lived in the middle of nowhere.<br /><br />I always tell my son that a well rounded person does lots of things in a day. I include tv and video games in that (he is limited to a certain time for both) I like him to do all sorts of things throughout the day. This just works for us and we alter things as needed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-63124801059206545112011-01-17T13:18:51.702-05:002011-01-17T13:18:51.702-05:00If we receive a gift that uses batteries, but are ...If we receive a gift that uses batteries, but are still fun and usable without them (eg. A shape sorter) I just remove the batteries and we're all happy, including the gift giver. <br />Tv is just not a big deal at our place. Kids don't even know how to turn it on...<br />We have a weekly plan for activities after dinner that works great for us- we just follow the 'plan' (kids are 3 & 7)<br />mon- family wii,<br />tues-shower, <br />wed-computer, with 3yo watching 7yo play, <br />thurs-shower,<br />fri-tv (eg. Franklin) <br />sat/sun-maybe a tv show in am. <br />Less than 30 minutes for each night then pjs and bed!lemontreelanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08201201596376160511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-64547525090460987152011-01-17T09:51:17.844-05:002011-01-17T09:51:17.844-05:00I fall whole-heartedly on your side of this argume...I fall whole-heartedly on your side of this argument. We are intentionally choosing to live a "technology" free childhood, and are so happy with that choice. When we have received toys as gifts with lights/buttons/noises/batteries/etc... I have returned them to the store or donated them to the thrift, and my sons have never even noticed they were missing!! There have been times we have visited cousins or friends that have had these DS toys, or Leapsters, and you are right - the children are unable to look up from the screen to even say hello. It is dismaying!Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01882323061257091806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-4975851420761064362011-01-17T09:39:23.266-05:002011-01-17T09:39:23.266-05:00I think you are spot on and applaud your bravery! ...I think you are spot on and applaud your bravery! I think dependence on electronics may start even earlier than hand held game devices. My grandson (aged 19 months) is obviously too young for such toys but he has lots of battery powered, noisy toys. His other grandmother buys him toys that squawk, rumble, sing, etc. While I tend to give him blocks, wooden trains, you get the idea. I feel that very young children are being deprived of chances to pretend and imagine when all their toys make the appropriate sounds. I think electronics have their place but control is important. Parents need to be parents.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161518924292501286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-41941573519989029782011-01-16T21:40:28.481-05:002011-01-16T21:40:28.481-05:00Like anything that can become part of an addictive...Like anything that can become part of an addictive personality, MODERATION is what is important....and it is the RESPONSIBILITY of the PARENT to determine what is permissible for each of THEIR children. I was anti Gameboy with my oldest son until he was 10 years old, while the younger son got Gameboy privileges at a much younger age....because my husband and I knew how much to allow without overdoing it. We were not always POPULAR....but our job is to be the PARENT. :)Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13080556862088765108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-10711244805891039402011-01-16T19:44:13.794-05:002011-01-16T19:44:13.794-05:00My daughter is too young to be worrying about thes...My daughter is too young to be worrying about these things, but I suspect she might not be very interested in the future anyhow. I've noticed some babies who become "zombies" when a TV is on in the room and can't take their eyes off of it. Aylen doesn't have the time of day for TV! She is too busy exploring her world. She will also be a child who will not be given hand-held games or Ipods for Christmas, as neither my husband nor myself have these kinds of things. I just have no interest in technology. So I think it is so dependent on the interests of both the parent and child. If a parent was raised to watch a lot of TV and play a lot of video games, most likely his/her children will do the same. I know many 30-somethings who spend most of the day on their devices. Their children will certainly follow suit by example. I don't know if this is bad or good, but I know that our family will certainly be more engaged in real-life experiences, just as I was [on our drives down to Florida as kids we also played many games, and our favourite was finding the license plates of all 50 states - one year we got them all, and were so excited when we spotted Alaska!!]Misty Pratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04107274364128577601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-1282457522046979832011-01-16T19:43:45.478-05:002011-01-16T19:43:45.478-05:00This issue is one that weighs on me each day. My b...This issue is one that weighs on me each day. My boys are only two and four, and my husband and I are deeply divided on video games. He likes them, and would allow the boys to play, while I despise video games thanks to memories of watching my younger brother play for up to ten hours at a time when we were younger! How dull! So no video games for now, but school starts this fall and I wonder if greater exposure through other children will have my kids begging for the latest device.<br /><br />That said, I look at my own rather indulgent tech usage and feel like a hypocrite. Are browsing blogs and checking out Ravelry patterns any better than a video game?Tanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17486127981293088285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-52770638283615869802011-01-16T15:37:32.009-05:002011-01-16T15:37:32.009-05:00P.S Thanks to the those who do allow these devices...P.S Thanks to the those who do allow these devices but have strict guidelines and follow through. I like that balance........Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09144122216662029672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-1828483365275228012011-01-16T13:06:55.683-05:002011-01-16T13:06:55.683-05:00I think the pictures of your post say it all - the...I think the pictures of your post say it all - they show the absolute joy and innocence of play that makes a "game-free/limited" lifestyle the best kind.<br /><br />I've got another new word for you - zombification. This is what I feel those devices do to kids, from first-hand experience I have seen my little man zone out in front of a computer game here, or on a handheld game at his grandma's. He is addicted and oblivious, and I seriously believe it affects his behavior and mind for the worse. For that reason we have chosen to remove them from our home, and limit them in other environments. <br /><br />Go with your gut, and trust your instincts. If these things give you the wiggins, you're right to avoid them. I say kudos for you for encouraging your kids to have a bright, happy childhood.FroggyMamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09555172324145598395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7825862861569609473.post-80333376919632821912011-01-16T12:26:30.213-05:002011-01-16T12:26:30.213-05:00You are a wonderful mother and you are teaching yo...You are a wonderful mother and you are teaching your children about family among many other things. I admit, my children have the DS and Wii but they don't live to play them. They went two months (by their own choice) of not playing the Wii. Why? They wanted to be outside playing, exploring and enjoying summer. Even now, they may play a game with my husband (instead of board games) but it's a family activity. I think the electronics have replaced creativity. I played with dolls way beyond what my daughter has. I was brought up like you. I just came in from the barn. Do you know where my daughter was all morning? Outside playing in the snow with the dogs (by her own choice). Maybe I've found the right mix of parenting, maybe not. I agree that you should question our children's reliance on electronics especially as an educator and you aren't wrong to do so. <br /><br />Now, lunch to make then we are all going back outside as a family to enjoy the wonderful snow we got last night.WonderWhyGalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427923229119655073noreply@blogger.com