My 9 year old son today made the offhand comment wondering outloud why anyone would take drugs. I talked to him about dopamine and how drugs cause the brain to release that into the system. Then I compared gaming to taking drugs and how the effects are pretty much the same, with the damage that excess gaming can do to the brain.
He listened. And I could sense the wheels and cogs turning in his head.
I think, like we talk to kids about drinking/smoking/drugs, we have to talk to them about gaming... long before it has potential to become a big problem in their life.
My son has awareness, and is, I believe, looking at gaming in a new light.
Good for you, Kate!
"She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very seldom followed it)." --Lewis Carroll
Ty, good approach, and I totally agree. What is that saying, an onze of prevention....?
I am now ready to have this talk with my boys about my experience. Its going to be delicate and I think you did a god job, Kate1. Thanks for the example. Just tell the truth and answer questions and let that sink into their head... okay. Thanks.
OLGA Home Page: "We advocate and provide a 12-Step Program of recovery. For those who are interested in a formalized meeting approach, we provide both a traditional 12-step program and a modified program for atheists and agnostics." I advocate and use the 12 steps programs, which have helped tens of millions of addicts of all kinds recover.
Good going, Kate!
Acceptance. When I am disturbed, it is because a person, place, thing, or situation is unacceptable to me. I find no serenity until I accept my life as being exactly the way it is meant to be. Nothing happens in God’s world by mistake. Acknowledge the problem, but live the solution!
Kate, amazing! Great job! More parents need to follow you and do the same.
Andrew P. Doan, MPH, MD, PhD
My Gaming Addiction Videos on YouTube: YouTube.com/@DrAndrewDoan
*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Navy, DHA or Department of Defense.
What a wonderful opportunity HP placed before you. And you, blessed child of HP handled it like a champ. I'm proud of you!
"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone
I second all of the above!
When I was younger my mom never told me why she never wanted me to play video games. Every year in college or high school my grades suffered. I was the 'smart kid' before video games when I was 10 years old. the only time I played video games then was with my friend who owned a super nintendo. It was an escape and it helped me realize that I never owned a video game so I could never be addicted to it.
I am 22 now and I told my mom it's been 12 days since I played any console. I told her the research I've done and realized how much of a drug it was. I was always straight-edge: never smoked, the only time I drank alcohol was when I was 21 but only for a week, and never once came into contact with drugs. Well.. I never knew video games were drugs but after seeing my anger released toward my family and loved ones, I knew something was wrong with me.
My mom told me that day: 'that was the reason why I never bought you a game console'. I got one one day for Christmas, but it was a curse that was never made to be broken and a crutch. Now I want to break the curse and live my life in my own control.
yep we need to educate them as best as we can so they dont fall like we did :)
I agree education is the only way to change attitudes and develop a healthy sensible approach to internet use and game consoles.
today is the first day of the start of the rest of your life