Online Games For Kids

My kids spend a lot of time online.  Most of the time they are playing games.  I think they get their love of games from me, because, well, I love playing games.  I grew up with three sisters and a brother, and we were always playing board games.  I am sure if there were computers back then, we would have played online as well.

I think my kids are missing out on some of the things I loved as a kid, simply because we are living in a different time.  I used to be told to go play outside almost everyday.  My sister and I would hop on our bikes and ride all around the neighborhood.  These days, I don't like Brandi to go further than the sidewalk in front of our apartment.  I remember one time when I was little, I was riding my bike on our street by myself, and some guy in a car started following me.  He eventually asked if I wanted a ride, and I rode back home as fast as I could.  Scared me to death.  These days, I don't think people offer kids rides.  They just snatch them up.     I see so many stories on the news about missing kids.  Or kids who are hit by cars.  There are so many dangers out there!

So I am not opposed to Brandi spending time inside, playing music games online, where I know she is safe.  I know I can not protect her from everything, but as a mom, I will try my hardest!  Some day I will have to let her spread her wings and fly, but I am not ready just yet.  And I don't think she is ready, either.

Playing Games

Growing up in a big family, there was always someone around to play games with.  We would play board games and barbie dolls, and put together thousand piece puzzles on the coffee table in the living room. Even now, as adults, whenever we get together at my mom's house, we always end up playing some type of game, whether it be a board game or cards.  I have passed my love of game playing down to my children, though these days, they spend more time playing games online instead of with each other.

Brandi likes playing graffiti games and drawing games in general.  She likes editing pictures and then posting them online.  Kasi is artsy, too.  She prefers paper and pencils to drawing online, and her pictures are beautiful.  She is taking an art class at school, and that is really helping her develop her talent.

I like playing games online, too.  Whenever I come home on my lunch breaks, I hop on the computer and kill time playing games.  I don't play nail polish games, though if I were Brandi's age I would love that!  I am playing a game right now where you have to clear one level to get to the next, and I get so frustrated because the levels keep getting harder, and passing them is difficult.  Thankfully I have patience, or I would have punched my computer weeks ago.

I do get my kids to play board games, too.  Our favorite right now is Clue.  I love that they are all old enough to understand that game, because is has always been my favorite.  I am not one of those parents who let their kids win, either.  I think it's more fun to make them work for it.

I Am Over My Addiction! (At Least For Now)

 Do you have an addictive personality?  I'm afraid that I do.  When I find something I like, I do it (or eat it!) until I can't stand it anymore.  I used to be this way about all the games online, but I have finally grown tired of most of them.  In fact, there is only one game that I still play on a regular basis, but not everyday.  It's nice not worrying about feeding my pets or my food spoiling. 

I think I might have passed my love of games onto my kids, though, which may not be a good thing.  My son especially spends a lot of time playing online, though now that school has started back, I limit his daily computer time to 90 minutes, unless he is working on homework.  I have the same rule for the girls, but they usually just spend a few minutes online a day.

Junior will occasionally get online, but he isn't too interested in playing the games the kids and I like.  He would rather play card games or slots.  I usually don't have a problem with this, as long as he doesn't play on "real money" sites.  There are websites that list the best sites to gamble at, and they help you to find places to do some Online Gambling UK.  I make sure that Junior stays away from these sites, because we don't have an extra money for him to be gambling.  Playing for fun is one thing, but gambling can become addictive, and I don't need him developing my addictive personality.

One of us in the house is enough.

Online Gaming

sMy kids love playing game online. They come by it honestly, though, because I can, and do, spend hours playing online games myself. What else is there to do at 2am when insomnia has kicked in and there is nothing on television?

Brandi really loves the games where she can dress up dolls, or in this case, Miley Cyrus. She will sit and dress the doll up in all kinds of different outfits. Unlike some other games, this one, which is found at poptropica games, allows you to change hairstyles. I guess because they want you to switch Miley into Hannah, which is what Brandi did in the picture.

Most gaming sites are okay for kids, but I still have to approve all games before the kids are allowed to play. I think that is what every parent should do. I also do not allow her to get on the computer unsupervised. I am always within viewing distance, just to make sure she doesn't end up on a site that is not kid appropriate. Again, I think that is what every parent should do. Especially with younger kids like Brandi, who is only 8. When kids get older, there are a whole new set of reasons to monitor their online activity. That is why half the time, Ryan and Kasi are grounded from the computer. I am trying to teach them to be responsible with their online choices.

Seems like it is a losing battle most days, but I refuse to give up.