Not many of you may know about my small 6 month addiction to World of Warcraft (WOW). Yes, go ahead and laugh (I really can't believe I'm blogging about this?!). What is WOW? It is orcs, taurens, trolls, and other ugly animated characters that go on quests to earn levels. There were 70 levels when I played (I reached 65, many say the game really began at lvl 70). If you worked at it, you could gain a level or two a day (depending on how much time you spent playing it). You play online with people from all over the world. You join a network (guild) of friends and help each other pass these quests and fight instances where you earn money and better fighting gear. You fight....yes, fight...and I KICKED TRASH! My brother has played this for wayyyy too long, in my opinion, and begged me to just try it. So, I did. It was so much fun! I had a chance to hang with my uber kewl bro and his fun friends online. I was seriously good at this game ;) Shocker, huh?! Well, I pretty much know way to much about the gaming world. I love games! It is seriously, like, one of my most fav things ;) Dan was NOT happy with my little WOW addiction and because I love my husband and because it wasn't the best thing to do with my time, I gave it up, much to the chagrin of my bro. I am so grateful that I did! Dan and I decided long ago, that our kids were not going to have video games. I don't mind them playing them at a friends house, but they are not allowed in mine. They have way too much to distract them, why add to it. Also, in my opinion one of the biggest addictions out there is gaming. Believe me, playing WOW for 6 months showed me that! The sad thing is this game was being played by kids as young as 8! The oldest person I met was 68! It's not particularly a bad game and safety measures can be taken to block out language while playing but that's beside the point. I know I sound old in saying this but when I was younger, I remember playing Nintendo, but most of my time was spent with my friends outside or just hanging out. The computer and gaming is like communication and social interaction without leaving your home...sedentary and just not all good...especially if the majority of your time is spent doing it. Moderation in ALL things, right?
As a side note...games can be GREAT! They teach children/adults a great deal. They can be good for the mind...I'm primarily talking about games and gaming in excess ;) They design them to be addicting so you'll want to play them all the time, not just a little.
Tuesday Hailey's friend Jayden sent her home with one of her Webkinz. Hailey tells me all about this lovely furry little friend she's borrowed and how she wants to go online and play with it. I'm completely clueless about Webkinz... Why? I don't know?! It is seriously THE cutest thing! Talk about being a dumb Mom...Hailey informs me that everyone has one! All of her best Friends do and send messages to each other. So where is the harm in this? right? For two days, this is all Hailey talks about and wants to spend hours on my computer playing Webkinz. Thats not so bad is it? And so begins the drama....she wants to start collecting them. I honestly have no problem with it. They are cute...it's good, clean fun. But I'm not sure spending huge chunks of time on this kind of stuff every day is the best thing. What do you think? I want my kids to do fun stuff like this but would hate for it to evolve into other things that lead to...I don't know....worse? I mean kids are dropping out of school, not getting jobs and all that from gaming addictions?!
Do your kids have Webkinz?
7 comments:
Ana Julia doesn't have any webkins, but she has Littlest Pet Shop VIP's. They are kind of in the same category...you buy a stuffed animal and you get a code to go online and play with them in a virtual world. Ana Julia collects them, and I surprised that she doesn't really play online with them at all. She does for a little tiny bit when she first gets them, but after that she is done. I wish that we had the same rule about no video games in our house. We haven't had a gaming console for ever and my brother just gave us his old playstation and his old nintendo. I am so sick of them!!
My sisters' girls LOVE Webkinz! They seem to play a little bit each day--after they've finished their homework, practicing, chores, etc (I think they earn minutes by doing these things). I think you're right. . .it's all good in moderation. Maybe just put a time limit on it or let her earn minutes by doing everything else she needs to do anyway. :)
LOL!! I NEVER would have guessed you have a WOW addiction. =) Tim told me that he doesn't want me to ever get it because he gets easily addicted to video/computer games..and that game is the mother of addictions. haha I just heard about webkinz like 7 months ago...I'm not sure what I think of them..don't hate them but wouldn't get one for my kids. there's already too many distractions in the world as it is...like movies-we watch too many! lol =)
Megan got a webkinz over a year ago and I threw away all the tags to register it online I guess. She still has not forgiven me. The other day in the car she tells Dave and I that she wants a certain electronic device, can't remember what it was now. So Dave asks her why and when she would use it and what she would do with it. Megan says, "I don't think I would use it that much, but I just want one." And so we enter the stage of wanting the latest and greatest because everyone else has it!! I am terrified to spend money in this economy and my kids know it. When there is something we need, I think about the dozen families I know without a job and I just can't do it!! And I know Dave's job is next!! How can the government keep spending so much and keep medicare and social security from drowning? This is a huge part of Dave's income. It just all scares me and so many people here live so humbly -- little modular home, lots of kids, no debt, food under their bed, gardens, and happy. I have learned a thing or two from them. So I will get off my huge tangent and just say that I am so glad we have a prophet who leads and guides us in these times. What a gift!! Recently we had a broadcast for Stake Conference and Elder Hales told us to use these four words often in our families, "We can't afford it" I love it!! I smile and say those words a lot!! I hate shopping anyway!!
We all have WebKinz. By all I mean the kids, hubby, and myself. It all started when someone gave Kierstin one for her birthday. She wanted it so bad, and as you stated "everyone" has one. However, I told her she could not activate it without me checking it out first. Big problem, you have to have one to get on the site. Long story short...I got one and the site is great not much learning involved but still clean fun. My kids have to earn time on the computer or the Wii. Noah would live on the computer or Wii, but they are limited to 30 minutes a day and they have to earn all 30 minutes no "borrowing". they still only average about 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a week. They are allowed to play the Wii as part of family game night and that doesn't count againist their minutes. FYI - I never pictured you as a WOW chick. Still can't...
You are a great mom to want to know about it all before getting involved... We aren't into that stuff yet, so nothing to add here, just that I admire you for kicking your "addiction"...:)
Parker received a Webkinz as a bribe to do well in his first vilin recital. He was a little out of control at first but now he doesn't play at all. It is pretty mindless. We bought a Wii for my birthday and the boys received a bunch of games at Christmas. So on those rainy or too cold days I make them run and play the Wii to get some of their energy out. I'll tell you it can be a workout. We love the Outdoor Challenge because it makes you run and jump, there is no sitting still for that game. So this is coming from a mom that vowed her children would never have a gaming system. I love it!!(in moderation) Good luck!!!
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