Comments on: i’ll keep on right on through it

By: mauraweb!» archive » whiplash weather

mauraweb!» archive » whiplash weather — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:16:11 +0000

[...] all know how I feel about video games, both for Gus and for myself. Recently we have put some limits on weekend gametime; the weekdays tend to police [...]

By: mauraweb!» archive » i saw you running through my playground

mauraweb!» archive » i saw you running through my playground — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:38:51 +0000

[...] This pattern totally fits with what I’ve observed in my (and Gus’s) lives and interactions with his peers and their parents. And I find it so [...]

By: maura

maura — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:44:45 +0000

No problem at all — I have to say that the Wii is so much fun! Did I post about how last Thanksgiving Gus was playing Wii tennis w/Jonathan’s mom, and he got hot and took off his pants, and then was all, “Grandma, you should take off your pants, it’s much more comfortable.”

Hmmm, Babble.com, you say? Perhaps. I’d thought that my published nonacademic writer lifestyle is coming to an end this week — the Chronicle is running my final column on Wednesday. But maybe…

By: Jessie

Jessie — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:12:52 +0000

You should totally pitch this post to Babble.com for their “bad parent” column.

Thanks for giving me justification to start lobbying for Wii!

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:00:22 +0000

Hee, we don’t have cable, either.

Overheard:

Kid #1: Do you have cable?
Max: No.
Kid #2: Do you have direct tv?
Max: No.
Kid #1: Then what do you have?
Max: Nothing.
Me: TV!

By: maura

maura — Fri, 23 May 2008 23:44:35 +0000

Jean, thanks for your comment. I’m curious to hear why you’re suffering from lack of sports. I’ve never really been sporty (played soccer as a kid but am mostly a klutz; not interested as a spectator) and don’t feel that I’ve ended up the worse for it.

By: maura

maura — Fri, 23 May 2008 23:40:40 +0000

I know, when we fixed up Gus’s room we did NOT put a computer in there. Partly because of his age, but also I want to wait until he really needs it for something other than games. Maybe for middle school.

That outdoor rule is a good rule! We pretty much have that I think, though maybe it would be helpful to say it out loud. We have a great courtyard in our building with kid toys and everything, but of course he can’t go out there alone because of liabilities, bah.

The no TV thing here is mainly because of no cable. We do netflix and videos sometimes though, of course, and he can watch TV at other places. He will usually choose games though if it’s an option.

By: Jean

Jean — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:53:37 +0000

Nothing against computer games, heaven knows I’m an avid player myself.

However, I wouldn’t be so complacent over ignoring sports. We did..and we’re suffering from it.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:34:55 +0000

Max got a DS for his b-day, and long ago I ceded my game boy (now that I have no ferry travel, no need for it!). He has a few pc games but Ben’s computer is pretty (physically) inaccessible right now.

His new room is finished and ready to furnish, and Ben thinks he should not have a computer in it (tho I really wanted to put my iMac in there, it would look cute if barely functional! But so vintage!)

Ben’s worried that his addiction is genetic! He was an addict before it got famous (but recovered now). What a trendsetter! So we made up this rule: amount spent playing games on any given day = amount of time spent playing outside.

It’s a good rule. Easy to do here, just walk out the back door. Not so easy in the big city, I guess.

His tv consists of Jeopardy with grandma (he’s pretty good at it) and we watch Monk if we remember on Sundays or if I get it from Netflix. He may be in earshot of Washington Week in Review, if we are home when grandma/Mom has that on (a convenient cocktail ritual, plus David Brooks!!!).

The no-tv is mainly due to the lack of time and the little ones, one of whom was so obsessed with The Wiggles he had to have the DVD playing all day whether he was in the room or not. That might not sound too bad (the leaving the room part, esp.) but if we turned it off when he stepped out he threw a fit.

The late-night Pixie Club meetings do sometimes end up in front of the telly, usually watching tabloid shows. We loves us some sleb gossip!!! She is also fond of Craig Kilborn, but sleeps through the night better now (sorry, Craig).

I hear the anti-toy-weapon thing is pretty crazy in some towns. Those parents need to be whacked with a cardboard tube.