18. The Gaming Console (2/6)
In fact this should be episode 1. This story is just like Star Wars. It does not start with the beginning but with the middle.
I remember it clearly. It was the beginning of summer but where we lived at the time the weather was so hot that children could not play outside (and adults not drink outside either )so they went to each other's house to play during the day and parents did the same at night.
Other houses had things for children our house did not have: gaming consoles. So they played games there. And that made me furious because not only they played video games but I could not even control the type of games they played. The control freak that I am (thanks to this blog this is getting quite clear even to myself) did not appreciate. And I could not go to the parents to tell them as my cocktail parties were depending on good relations with those same neighbours.
So one day I came back home from work, gathered everyone and said:
'We're going to the mall. We're going to buy a playstation.'
'Yeah! Can we have a XBox too?
'Yes, you can. If you're good.'
'Yes!'
The older ones raised their eyes t the ceiling and muttered that it was going to be a rental one that was going to work for ten minutes.'
They all looked at each other. The look in their eyes said: say nothing just in case she changes her mind.
They went to get ready in a flash, no arguments about washing faces nor about what to wear, nothing. In the car no arguments about who sits where. A first.
So off we went. I parked the car, they all scrambled out and we went straight to the shop. Everyone knew where to go. Including me which seems strange now.
We got into the shop, an assistant welcomed us with a 'Can I help you M'am? A grin at the kids: 'Do the nice children want video games?'
'I would like a PlayStation and an Xbox please. And games too. But and I raised my voice: I get to choose the games and no VIOLENCE! All right?'
'OK OK M'am, no problem! I've got games, good games for children, not violent, no.'
I do not think anyone believed it was going to happen until we were in the car and driving home. No arguments. No fights. No whinging. I was beginning to be proud of myself for having abandoned yet again one of my golden principles in children's education.
We got home and they relaxed.
I did too.
We had a peaceful evening and my husband and I (when he came hone, late, those were the days) enjoyed drinks by the pool without any interruptions whatsoever. Hey! Buying that gear meant I could quit the cocktails drinking and start meditation.
I remember it clearly. It was the beginning of summer but where we lived at the time the weather was so hot that children could not play outside (and adults not drink outside either )so they went to each other's house to play during the day and parents did the same at night.
Other houses had things for children our house did not have: gaming consoles. So they played games there. And that made me furious because not only they played video games but I could not even control the type of games they played. The control freak that I am (thanks to this blog this is getting quite clear even to myself) did not appreciate. And I could not go to the parents to tell them as my cocktail parties were depending on good relations with those same neighbours.
So one day I came back home from work, gathered everyone and said:
'We're going to the mall. We're going to buy a playstation.'
'Yeah! Can we have a XBox too?
'Yes, you can. If you're good.'
'Yes!'
The older ones raised their eyes t the ceiling and muttered that it was going to be a rental one that was going to work for ten minutes.'
They all looked at each other. The look in their eyes said: say nothing just in case she changes her mind.
They went to get ready in a flash, no arguments about washing faces nor about what to wear, nothing. In the car no arguments about who sits where. A first.
So off we went. I parked the car, they all scrambled out and we went straight to the shop. Everyone knew where to go. Including me which seems strange now.
We got into the shop, an assistant welcomed us with a 'Can I help you M'am? A grin at the kids: 'Do the nice children want video games?'
'I would like a PlayStation and an Xbox please. And games too. But and I raised my voice: I get to choose the games and no VIOLENCE! All right?'
'OK OK M'am, no problem! I've got games, good games for children, not violent, no.'
I do not think anyone believed it was going to happen until we were in the car and driving home. No arguments. No fights. No whinging. I was beginning to be proud of myself for having abandoned yet again one of my golden principles in children's education.
We got home and they relaxed.
I did too.
We had a peaceful evening and my husband and I (when he came hone, late, those were the days) enjoyed drinks by the pool without any interruptions whatsoever. Hey! Buying that gear meant I could quit the cocktails drinking and start meditation.
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