Monday, March 22, 2010

Thumb twiddling... and the Peppa Prize

Quick one here - some very amusing responses to the Peppa Pig vs. Thomas debate, however Emily O has won the free DVD because it just makes everyone I know laugh their socks off that I not only have a crush on Daddy Pig but have actually found someone else who has one. Thanks everyone.

So on top of the wonderful world of swearing and potty humour (today he pretended to eat my nose, swallow it and then extract it from his bottom with much laughter) and the sub-world of resistance we have catapulted ourselves into the nightmare world that is Gameboy addiction.

The spud is very keen on computer games and has taken to the games on my phone with the sort of dedication normally seen in spotty teenagers, or perhaps Pixel from LazyTown. Given that we fly a lot and are looking for things to occupy him with on the plane it occurred to us to buy him a cheap old gameboy and a couple of games.

We did this.

He's only 3.

He can now sit for hours making little beeping sounds and wiggling his thumbs and I ask you - is there anything redeeming in this activity at all? He plays outside, he plays with his wooden trains, he loves bubbles and painting and jumping up and down and riding his scooter and... well he loves his Gameboy.

There is something wrong with this; there must be...

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh thank you!! How exciting! I'll have to delve through my tweets now and remind myself who the other Daddy Pig fans are. It's that voice isn't it?

I don't think there's much wrong with the Gameboy as he does other things as well. I think it probably helps concentration and hand-eye coordination. It's all about a balance with these things I think.

PippaD said...

The Gameboy is actually quite good for him as long as you are happy with it! Just make sure it isn't for hours on end lol!

That's Not My Age said...

Hi thanks for your message - I live in Camberwell so I can pop round to see anal husband's work!

Gringa-n-Mexico said...

Everything in moderation and all that Sparx, it's all good. :) Besides, you don't want him to get made fun of for being the only toddler on the block without video game knowledge - you might as well put him in plaid pants if that were the case :D

Sphinx said...

even three-year-olds need some quiet (well, sort of quiet) time occassionally. you can get 'educational' play laptops. maybe he would like one of those? they are a bit lumpy to take to bed, though, i bet the gameboy is the perfect size! i hope you have spare batteries on hand!

Glowstars said...

What is it with kids and tech? I'm sure I wasn't that in to gadgets at that age.
The boy's constant refrain is 'can I play on your iphone?'. The husband's just upgraded his so we're going to keep the old one and fill it with appropriate apps. At least we'll get to keep our own phones then.

Anonymous said...

My parents have gifted both Cooper and Maren with little video game consoles, and while I initially objected, I am now finding them to be the perfect activity for quiet time! They are used only in moderation, and only when we are done playing outdoors, done coloring, done playing with toys indoors, etc.

Sparx said...

O Emily - that's good to hear. Do you think so? The thing is, if I start analysing the Daddy Pig crush it's going to get weird.

Mummy - is it really good? Really? Phew!

That's not My Age - you are seriously close! Yes, do come, my email is on the blog, I'll check for yours.

Gringa - you see, I knew I could rely on you. Plaid pants!! Ha! Yes, it would be bad for him to be the only one without a gameboy... but who's to say he won't be the only one WITH a gameboy?

Sphinx - I love that... I do forget that everyone needs quiet time, I'm so concerned with making sure he's stimulated that this passes me by...

Glowstars - I hear that too! 'Can I play on your phone Mummy!' - the iphone is a good baby sitter...

Fishsticks - ah, you're the second one to talk about quiet time, I need to be much more aware of this I think. I'm going to be more tolerant of the Gameboy from now on... we already limit it so I'll just relax while he has it.

DJ Kirkby said...

N3S loves, Gameboy, Wii and Xbox as do N1 and N2 sons. They are all sporty as well so we figure a bit of gaming ownt kill them and it'll save our sanity. x

darth sardonic said...

ooooh man. hopefully your sprog is less of a william s burroughs when it comes to the games than my own progeny. but you know, in this day and age, it almost can't be helped. time limits always seem a good idea...

Sparx said...

DJ - that's great news... and if you're happy then I'm happy!

Darth - how weird you say that, I've just re-read junky and was thinking about addiction levels and my son just today!

Iota said...

Oh, welcome to the "how to get small boys off electronic toys" club. You'll be here for several years...