A columnist for a local Minnesota paper recently detailed her ability to overcome an aversion for videogames.
Maggie Modjeski, a writer for the Winona Daily News of Winona, Minnesota, was given a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit for Christmas. The console remained boxed for sometime after the holidays as Modjeski wrestled with the fact that the game machine was “against everything I had preached for so long to my children.”
After some setup assistance from her kids, the Wii was ready to go. Modjeski noticed that her offspring playing Wii Fit were not only occupied, but “they were active and they were getting tired,” in addition to “burning pent-up energy that comes with a long, cold Minnesota winter.”
Once her weary children went to bed, the author tried her own hand at the Wii, playing Wii Tennis until her “arm was about to fall off.”
Modjeski’s opinion of games changed almost immediately:
Since that day, the Wii has become my friend. However, I don't condone hours of play or use it as a babysitter. I don't believe it is a revolutionary tool that brings families together, nor does the system replace a trip to the YMCA or any other real activity.
The Wii isn't going to eradicate childhood obesity, and, to be honest, when I hear about kids using it during their physical education classes, I do get a little irritable.
I have come to the conclusion that, like most everything else, in moderation it's OK.
A little different than the last mom covered around these parts.
|Image from Flickr|
Comments
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
Well it's about time she started to change over rom old school to the present modern age we are in now. :) Congrats.
"It's better to be hated for who you are, then be loved for who you are not." - Montgomery Gentry
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
I suggest to really play other games first before starting to claim to being a gamer there, but if you need some help, perhaps New Super Mario Bros is a good start considering that the super-guide will help you though hard times.
Also consider Mario Kart Wii, Wii Sports Resort if that has not already been included.
And while you are waiting for next Christmas, there is a new Super Mario Galaxy 2, New Zelda game, new Metroid Other:M that might surprize you in many ways that even a mature game for teenagers can be an awesome time as long as there is someone like your kids to help you though the game.
Also isn't it strange, that a MOTHER...has admitted that her bias against videogames was nothing more than something that was 'against everything she had been preaching to her kids about"...
Is it just me, or is every single person who hates videogames has always been the type of parent who wanted their kids to be raised up like they were?
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
[/applause]
Wonder what folks like Miami Jack will think of her.
[/sarcasm]
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"A Chrono Trigger is anything that unleashes its will or desire to change history!" -Gaspar
"A Chrono Trigger is anything that unleashes its will or desire to change history!" -Gaspar
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
Seriously, congrats to this Mom for joining the modern world and unclenching her morals long enough to give something a fair analysis.
Well done MOM!
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
Wait 'till one of her kids plays Mad World...
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
If she does her job as a parent that likely won't happen.
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
ah, the YMCA.. bullying, beatings, social ostracization , and staff who not only look the other way but even encouraged it.
I will take games over such 'real' activities any day. One of the reasons I got into them (and an advantage they have to may such children) is they get you away from being little more then a way to show other children that there are people beneath them.
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
I have come to the conclusion that, like most everything else, in moderation it's OK.
Captain Obvious has saved the day yet again!
Seriously, it was so hard to understand it?
My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
"I have come to the conclusion that, like most everything else, in moderation it's OK."
/sarcasm
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
Captain Obvious strikes again
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
Awesome! It is NOT a babysitter! Do NOT play for hours a day or replace actual exersise, but as a suppliment. Moderation, but above all, GET INVOLVED! Now you know what your kids are playing and how to monitor them. We need more parents like her.
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
"Maggie Modjeski...was given a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit for Christmas. The console... was “against everything I had preached for so long to my children.”"
Makes you wonder who bought it for her.
Andrew Eisen
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
Iwouldn't be surprised to find out it was the kids that bought it. They were probably tired of being the only kids in school without some kind of game system and went with the one that was most likely to get approval from their mom.
Now if they can just convince her to let them get some games besides Wii Fit.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
Random Tower: Game News and Commentary
Re: Game Averse Mom Demonstrates Open Mind
"They were probably tired of being the only kids in school without some kind of game system..."
Or they weren't looking forward to another "long, cold Minnesota winter" with nothing to do.
Andrew Eisen