It Happened at the Dentist

Mags has discovered video games. I was dreading this moment, but it’s happened. We went to the dentist on Monday. The office has a split waiting room—one for the parents and one equipped with three televisions and video game equipment. For the first time in her life Mags played an XBox. And she loved it.

Her maiden voyage into video games was Super Mario Cart (or something similar—I’m not exactly sure). A little girl that was already in the room helped her figure it out. While we were waiting, Mags became an addict, I’m afraid. During the exam and practically every minute since then she’s asked me to buy one of those things for her. I can see now what she’ll be asking Santa for this Christmas.

I’m not totally against video games, of course. I know that they offer a certain benefit as far as hand/eye coordination and other things. But I don’t want to have to fight Mags to get off the thing and get outside so she can get some fresh air. I also don’t want her to stop using her imagination in play and start using Mario and Sonic to entertain her (though I have to say, I’d much rather her enjoy Mario Brothers than Hannah Montana and the kissing bandit, iCarly). I never bought a system for Pee Wee while she was growing up. And, thankfully, she never got interested in them when she was able to play them. So, that issue never really came up with my first child.

I’m thinking my second child won’t be so easily swayed. She really was enamored with that game. She had a great time with it. She doesn’t like to ride her bike or do anything overly adventurous (or even slightly adventurous) and I think this provided some kind of adrenaline rush for her—without her being afraid that she was going to be physically hurt. She’s just not that brave outside so I can see the fascination for her. If I can convince Grump to invest I think I might allow limited access—just so she can feel that rush of excitement without the fear. I doubt he’ll be too receptive at this point though. The cost is kind of high for our budget and he’s already disappointed that she doesn’t like to do a lot of things outdoors (unless there is little to no real or perceived danger to her physical self). There are some educational video games that I think will do her well and we can use the game to find things that correspond with her learning as she navigates her way through kindergarten (I haven’t figured out how yet, though).

I am disappointed in the dentist office though. I think, because of different parenting styles, it’s a little disrespectful to put those games in their office. I know quite a few parents that won’t allow their kids to play video games—ever—and those parents are completely disregarded by the office when they put those games in the rooms. I, of course, and ambivalent to a certain degree and some parents are thankful their children have something to hold their children’s attention—but the office allows no food or drinks on the premises and especially no soda. It’s a little strange to me. Then, of course, the children get to pick videos to watch while they’re in the chair (the television is on the wall) so what if the parents don’t allow their children to watch television? I’m thinking that could lead to some familial discontent. I’m not complaining about the video though. Mags would lose her mind in the the dentist office if she couldn’t watch a video (she’s petrified). I just find it very curious.

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