i think i am acting like a bad mother when i.....
By mama4kids
@mama4kids (690)
United States
April 18, 2007 7:25am CST
let the kids play grand theft auto vice city. i play it too. they cheer me on and tell me what cars to steal or who to steal money from. it is sad to say,but it is a fun family thing and they really enjoy it. i do make sure that they are all well aware of the fact that it is just a video game and in real life you cannot steal cars or beat people up for their money. i keep it as less violent as possible when we are playing it. i think they just like the taking the car and driving it fast down the road. does anyone else let their kids play a game that maybe you shouldnt let them play? is it being a bad parent?? i am torn since it is fun bonding time but it is maybe not really for their ages. and yes..we could bond over a different game..but they all seem to enjoy the action of this one. am i wrong? someone out there must agree with me that it is ok as long as i watch and tell them it is only a game. i hope someone out there agrees with me. i dont let them watch violence on tv, they are watched very well and taught right from wrong and go to church. so i cant be too bad of a mom, can i?
3 people like this
8 responses
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
18 Apr 07
I'm happy there are other moms out there like me. My daughter isn't old enough yet to play video games with me but when she does get old enough I hope she will. No matter what kind of game it is as long as your teaching them that its only a game and its not right to do it in real life your fine. At least you know where your kids are and what they are doing. How many parents can say that about their kids? Like the ones that come jump on my roof at night. Where the hell are their parents?
1 person likes this
@Michele21 (3093)
• United States
18 Apr 07
Don't feel bad at all!! We all do things that others probably would think is wrong, but it works for your family!! It isn't like ya'll are playing the game and figuring out strategies to go out a steal cars!! I would enjoy the time with your kids and don't worry about the game itself. I don't think you are a bad mother at all!!!
1 person likes this
@mama4kids (690)
• United States
18 Apr 07
thank you!! i feel better..lol. we certainly dont figure out how to do it in real life..lol....not even a thought from them...lol. thanks for the response!!
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
18 Apr 07
I think the most important thing is that u keep telling them that it is just a game and that it is not ok in real life, Also it seems like they are supervised during the gaming time so I do not think that u have anything to worry about...
1 person likes this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
19 Apr 07
I don't think you are a bad mother, perhaps the game of choice is a too violent for children these days, but at least you are involved with your children and trying to spend valuable time with them on their level, which sometimes we have to do, since they are not as happy to come on our level. Kids are a blessing and we only have a mere 18 years to mold them into the wonderful adults they will become, anyway you can spend time with them to play with them and help them through life is a blessing.
1 person likes this
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
19 Apr 07
My kids are grown, and they have that game. I played it with them and it was fun. I think as long as your kids know it's just a game, and you can't do stuff like that and people who do are bad, it's ok. My kids are doing well, and are good people, and I let them do a lot of things that other people might think I shouldn't have, but they never gave me much trouble.
@mama4kids (690)
• United States
19 Apr 07
thanks for your response. i think that kids can do "bad" things at times..you know..things that maybe the church lady down the road wouldnt allow...and still grow up just fine. i think that if you take everything away from them..they will find a way to get to it without you knowing and that is where the trouble starts. good to know that your kids are ok after playing grand theft auto..lol. then there is hope for me..lol
1 person likes this
@charlestchan (1415)
• Malaysia
18 Apr 07
erm.. i think it's okay to let them play .. as long as you're with them.. it should be fine.. the family bonding is the most important.. maybe your kids are still young.. so.. they might take some time to understand the fact that it's not the same in reality.. you can't just steal cars and beat up poeple for their money... it's good for you to play with them.. in my opinion, you have to understand their interest.. and then you can communicate with them easier.. and that will help when they actually having difficulties in life.. you know.. teenagers.. they often think that nobody is able to help them.. including their parents.. how old is your kid anyway? :)
1 person likes this
@cikedo (3483)
• United States
18 Apr 07
Playing a video game with your kids is a great time to bond, but depending on their ages I don't believe grand theft auto is the best game to be playing. The kids might get the wrong message and believe that commiting those types of crimes are okay with you and are okay in general.
@natalie1981 (1995)
• Singapore
18 Apr 07
I really don't know. Sometimes, when I see my brothers letting my nephew play all these violent games, I tend to scold him about it and tell him that it's not good for my nephew, but then again, I really don't know. On one hand, it is a great bonding time for you and your kids. I guess it would be okay so long as there is parental supervision, though I think you should try to introduce some games that are a little less violent that you could bond over. I've seen grand theft auto and it's a little too violent for me.
