Too much vintage?

I have seen several blogs about vintage playing cards of late.  I love my childhood cards,  just looking at them takes me right back.

My husband gave the children an Xbox for Christmas.  I hate it.

They have a controller each, but a little too long on it and they get agitated and start shouting at each other.

But sometimes I feel its a constant struggle with them, trying to hold them back to stay being children, and being innocent.

James' first question when the Xbox controller came out of the box was "Which button is Kill daddy?".  Where did that come from?  It's natural enough I guess, James is a real boys boy, but I still don't like the idea of "virtual fighting".  They've only got the children's games... their favourite being The Incredibles.  Every morning now I stir to the sound of James whispering in my ear "Will you play Incredible with me mama?"

So I drag them away from it and bring them to my table of games...  vintage snap and happy families first , followed by  The Littlest Pet Shop board game and the Digger jigsaw... (just so I can justify playing 'modern' games too!). I don't like keeping up with the latest technology.  I don't see any need for it, especially in a child's world, but then maybe I'm just too old fashioned.

Comments

[janet clare]

Couldn't agree more! We don't have the games consoles YET but I am resisting pressure on all sides. Joe (6) has been saving hard for a year for a Nintendo DS (and due to doting grandparents and uncles/aunts etc has nearly got £100!)I'm dreading the day it comes to my house.

[nonnie]

I totally agree with what you're saying and don't think you're too old fashioned at all. I hate all these computer games that seem to be centred around killing and destruction. No wonder the World is as it is and young people are being killed on our streets with increasing regularity. I think if you can balance out some of the computer playing with a bit of innocent card playing then that's good. I'm sure your children will look back in years to come and appreciate that you did your best to keep some old fashioned elements in their lives.

[asti]

Absolutely, Nicky, I am SO with you. I fought against the Nintendo DS for Christmas and lost :( She's not into the killing games but it's just that she gets so 'lost' in whatever she's doing on it. It just seems pointless, there is nothing at the end of it. Give me paint and paper any day!

[Kathy]

I really agree with you Nicky. I have two boys aged 8 and 10 and their dad is just as bad as my two. They (yep all 3 of them!) had an Xbox for Christmas and I HATE IT!! However - I have always maintained ignorance about how the thing works and never play it therefore they know never to whine or whinge whilst playing it other wise it goes OFF! Horrid Mummy that I am!

[Michele]

Well said Nicky!
It saddens me greatly that my child is growing up in a techno world devoid of the magic and imagination that my childhood was all about.
He alas has been seduced by the lure of the computer games but I do monitor what he plays and bought him books for Christmas refusing to cave in to buying him games for his console.
Don't give up with your innocent and charming card games etc.. your children will remember the fun of these when they are older and maybe their children will have the benefit of these sociable and fun games too.
Michelex

[Michele]

Well said Nicky!
It saddens me greatly that my child is growing up in a techno world devoid of the magic and imagination that my childhood was all about.
He alas has been seduced by the lure of the computer games but I do monitor what he plays and bought him books for Christmas refusing to cave in to buying him games for his console.
Don't give up with your innocent and charming card games etc.. your children will remember the fun of these when they are older and maybe their children will have the benefit of these sociable and fun games too.
Michelex

[The Vintage Magpie]

Thanks for you comments everyone, it has really cheered me up. I was talking to one of my good friends at the school today who had also seen this post, and she said her son, aged 7, was given one for Christmas as well and he comes off it so agitated that she has restricted his time on it to 10 mins, and that time has to be earnt. I think this is a great idea, after James had a full-on tantrum this afternoon when I told him to turn the darn thing off, so, if the XBox makes it to the weekend (I am seriously considering throwing it out the window) I am going to restrict it to weekends only. Blasted thing.

[Felicia]

What cute vintage cards :)

[Kristy]

We have one very unused Nintendo DSlite in our house and that will be it.I just won't buy anything like a Wii or Xbox.I really don't like what they do to people. The way everyone gets so engrossed and lose all track of time. No, good old-fashioned fun for us!!

[Gill]

Well said, it's very sad that so many children just don't play with traditional games and toys any more, my 2 are 19 and 15 now and we did play board games when they were younger but once they hit puberty they looked at me like I was mad when I suggested a game! I hope that they'll appreciate a good game of Boggle or Scrabble when they're adults. But I wonder what what it'll be like for their children if they don't pass down traditional family pursuits. I guess Grandma will have to keep up the standards!
Gill