Your kids may be the boss when they’re fighting off baddies in video games. But you have the power to create an environment where video game playing is just part—not the focus—of a child’s leisure activities.
Here are questions that run through most parents’ minds when raising a gamer: Is my child playing too much, to the point of being addicted? Are the video games too violent or just right for his age? Parents may tend to feel powerless over the amount of time that kids actually spend playing—and just let them be. But the truth is, the answer to whether video games have a positive or negative effect on them is also up to you. It’s time to grab the game controller from them and maneuver your way through this mission.
These FN articles offer more tips on encouraging your kids to take part in activities beyond the game room:
- 7 Reasons to Encourage Your Kids to Take up Extracurricular Activities
- Larong Pambata: 10 Filipino Outdoor Games for Kids
- New Study: Physical Fitness Improves Academic Performance + Sports Your Kids Will Enjoy
- New Study: Limiting Your Toddler's TV Time Could Lead to Smarter, Healthier Kids
- Switch Off the Set: 7 Tips for Managing your Kids' TV Habits
- New Study: TV and Video Games Contribute to Kids’ Attention Problems + 10 Unplugged Indoor Activities for Children
(First published in Good Housekeeping Magazine, Good Family section as "Mission: Possible" in March 2007; adapted for use in Female Network)
