Teaching your kids
By KOSTAS499
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
Greece
March 13, 2012 1:01pm CST
I am not married yet, but seeing how peopple treat their children I am thinking I would take more time to teach them stuff. Parents do not seem to pay attention to their kids. Just buy them a game console and it's OK, Kid stays quiet, we are fine. I believe they substitute imagination with someone else's imagination (game creator). I would like my kids to play with toys like Legos. You can build something using your imagination. What are your thoughts on this subject?
2 people like this
13 responses
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
16 Mar 12
It's easy to say now that you're not married. But when people get married and have children, today, in this world we live in, both parents have to work. Time is limited as well. And I don't believe that most parents do not spend time with their kids. Thats not true. So, don't go making assumptions until you yourself is in that position. Now, it is a wonderful thing that you would spend more time with your children when you have them. And thats the ay it should always be. Patients is very important when it comes to children. But kids are still kids and will always be kids. Lots of kids love to play games and do different things. It is up to the parent to limit those activities. But never stifle them either. Encourage them as well. The future is something you nor I can comprehend, but they will. I encourage amy children to do and be anything they ant to be. Who knows, they might grow up to be the next Steve Jobs or the creator of something significant in this crazy world.
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
25 Mar 12
Ah, the 80's. I remember them well. I know. I remember when I was small and we all went to the beach, they always cleaned up after themselves and threw away any garbage. Today things are different. The kids are all connected to the internet constantly. But it is up to the parents to set rules, goals and to teach them the right way to do things.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
17 Mar 12
I can only state what I see parents do. And compare what mine did for me. It is sad for me to see kids throw garbage in the street, when I remember my parents carrying thour garbage from the beach until the next garbage can. And at the '80s there weren't many around. That could mean 20-30 kilometres.
1 person likes this
@suzukigirl1970 (106)
•
27 Mar 12
I have always instilled in my children that you don't throw litter around; if there isn't a bin handy put in your bag or pocket until you see one or are at home. But you are also right in the fact that some parents don't seem to help their children to understand the basics of life.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59284)
• Sterling, Virginia
14 Mar 12
Your not a parent yet so you don't know what its like. All kids are different the building things only last for so many years and then a child wants to play with no toy like things. Like the computer, a game system or a handled. There are lots of games out there for every system that is educational that is creative. I think your only thinking about games where you sit and shot things. There are games where you can paint, draw things, play with animals and learn about them, learn letters, shapes, sounds. In my house we have a little bit of everything. We have puzzles, books, toys mostly stuffies some things that make annoying loud noise, big legos, walkers, no bikes yet, movies, no games yet that my children can play because they aren't old enough for board games or tv games. There are things like v-tech toys and game systesm for kids of all ages. If that is something that when you have and they enjoy why not get it for them if you can afford it? Children learn in different ways some learn through watching the tv which you the parent can control what your kids watch or hear or see when at home.
When you do have kids then come back to all of us parents and talk about how you feel now? Also you dont' need to be married to have kids or be a parent.
@ShyBear88 (59284)
• Sterling, Virginia
15 Mar 12
Where I live its okay to have a kid out of marriage. My nephew he was concevied when his parents weren't married and the same with my second nephew on my husband side of the family. Me and my husband are the only ones for either side of our families to be married before having kids. But if we got pregnant for some odd reason before we got married we still would have gotten married to each other. I played video games much younger then that like at age 4 or 5 when the Nitedo first came out my brothers loved those things. My parents where busy but when it came to things that matter to me and my brother they where always there paying attention. I don't think a parent has to watch or listen to when there kids are playing certain games. If the kids are safe and happy then it really doesn't matter. Its when the kid is talking to you that a parent needs to be there and really listen to there kids. Also parents should push there kids to find outside actives before computer games or tv games as a reward to good behavior.
When I was younger it was a lot different parents didn't really care about those things too much. I care about it with my kids but that is because its my kids. To a certain degree parents need to pay attention to there children but not ever moment of ever day. Look at the games or what ever they are playing with to make sure its age correct as my husband would say.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
14 Mar 12
As for the last comment, things in Greece are different. Some people have kids without being married, but they could "hear bad comments". I do not have a problem with that. Openminded women are my choice. We have some religion issues. Priests can be nasty with these matters. That's why I do not like them.
@busikoarsom (40)
•
1 Jul 12
That is so true. There are bullies in early school and i guess that reflects on how these children are being treated at home by their parents.
@fannitia (2167)
• Bulgaria
14 Mar 12
Hi Kosta, I think that you are right. My daughter is not a kid any more, she is 25 years old, but when she was a little girl there were no game consoles and we were lucky, I think. Children had simple games, they were playing in the street and this was better for them. And when I was a little girl we used to play with a few dolls, we used to slip on old clothes of our mothers and play roles in invented stories...
Now kids grow up with computers and don't play in the streets. I wouldn't like to reject neither of those models. Maybe the truth is in the balance.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
16 Mar 12
I always believe truth is somewhere in the middle, but I would prefer kids nowadays could use their imagination more. Sure they can play with consoles/PCs but not too much. Drawing is a lot better.
@crazzydolphin (3636)
• United States
13 Mar 12
i agree with the way you look at things. i ahve 2 daughters of my own that will be starting school this coming up year :) and my oldest knows how to count, a few letters of her alphabet, she can kind of write her name, and the list goes on and on but she knows all of this because we took the time to teach her. i can see them getting to play video games or watch tv sometimes but not all the time just to shut them up or to get them away from you. kids have a great imaginaion if you take the time to explore it and see what they are capable of. i know itis easier to turn the game system or the tv on but in all reality they need that quality time and when they are young they are willing to learn what you want to teach them. i will admit that my kids watch a to much tv through out the day but at the same time we learn and i like the "sprout" channel because it teaches them all kind of interesting things :) even tho they watch a lot oftv we still have quality learning time and have fun.
o and legos are really good a long with the stacking blcks for kids. my children love both of these things and would play with them all day if you would let them lol that is why i have to get some more for them sometime:)
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
14 Mar 12
I will tell you a funny story. When I was 4-5 we only had one channel in Greece. I had already learned to read on my own before I went to school, just by reading on Tv. Strange? My parents told me that.
@crazzydolphin (3636)
• United States
16 Mar 12
i dont see that as strange :) it is actually a very interesting story and that is really kool you could do that before you went to school :)
my grandma taught me a lot before i went to school i new a lot of things the other kids didnt just because they took the time to show me. like i said before my kids do watch a lot of tv and some shows they watch are not learning shows (like sponge bob lol they love that show) but during the day they will watch a lerning show they enjoy while i try to get things done :)
@BBarringer (14)
• United States
14 Mar 12
I have 4 children 3 are over 20 years old and 1 is 17. The years when they played with Legos and building blocks was good except when I had to take all three of the older ones to the store at the same time, I only have 2 hands. The hard part is the teenage years, I get told off now on a regular basis, the other three weren't as hard as this last one. I think it is because he got spoiled being the baby, plus I'm older and everything is harder. I have to admit I will be glad when he graduates because he has a job traveling all ready lined up. I will get my house back finally.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
13 Mar 12
I am not married and have no kids of my own yet but if I do, I definitely would love to teach my children the reading habit. I wold be so happy if they learn this habit and enjoy reading at a young age. Reading books can really help them learn many things as well as develop their imagination. Of course, I'm okay with them playing children toy, but anything educational would be what I would love them to play with.
@CelticSoulSister (1640)
• Southend-On-Sea, England
24 Mar 12
I think you've pinpointed everything that's gone wrong with certain areas of Western society. Parents don't seem to properly interact with their kids any more or teach them anything. I see groups of kids playing outside, and all they do is ride around on their bikes screaming at one another. They never actually play games as they haven't been encouraged to use their imaginations. There is a quotation, although I can't remember who said it....and it's..... "Your children need your presence, not your presents". For me that sums it all up.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
14 Mar 12
Your children learn a lot about themselves and the world by what we teach them as parents. it is our duty and responsibility to our children to teach them everything we can to give them a foundation to build their lives on. When we don't pay attention to their needs, we are showing a disservice to our children and to ourselves. Every moment counts no matter how big or small.
@vimal1990 (116)
•
14 Mar 12
ya your are rite most parents not paying more attention to their kids but they want their kids to get first and more marks.... but if better to teach friendly and to spend more time with kids for teaching and should try to make them to understand everything easily...
@Caitiebaby (20)
•
13 Mar 12
I absolotley agree! I have a 7 year old as well as a 14 year old so I see it in so many different degrees. The 7 year olds around here sit on video games like you said and are occupied that way. What about toys that you have to use your imaginations, crafts, exploring, reading, cooking? I spend alot of time incouraging my son and have so much fun with him. My daughter who is 14 doesnt care to participate but she showed an interest in learning guitar and keyboard so i jumped all over that. Its a great way for her to experience and express her imaginationa and creativity!
@suzukigirl1970 (106)
•
27 Mar 12
Although my children have games consoles they still play imaginative games as well. The consoles are normally used if the weather is not very nice to go outside or if friends are not around to play with them.
My eldest two are 15 and 12, so they are both past being interested in building things, but they do play with their younger sister who is 4. She loves when they play with her, whether it's Lego, dolls or pretend play. I think they use it as an excuse to play games that are a bit too young for them now!
