Kids and Video Games

Okay, first let me tell ya my stance on video games. I'm not crazy about them. About once a year I might play pacman or tetris online - but that's it. I especially don't like them when it comes to kids. It spooks me out the way some kids are hypnotized and spend hours completely detached from reality. Sometimes I think my house is the only house left that does not have a video game console. (Are there others out there - please let me know I am not the only one!) But then I also refuse (up until I change my mind) not to have a TV in the children's bedroom either. I say 'up until I change my mind' because once in a while the kids will ask me when they can have a TV and I will tell them, 'when I change my mind'.

So...anyways, I don't like video games and I don't want them in my house.

With that said, I don't mind if the kids go over to their friends house and play video games. (Does that sound hypocritical?) Actually, my son is the only one who ever goes over to his friend's house a few times a week - then about once a month spends the night. I know when he's over there they spend the night, all night, zombied out in front of video games. I never minded that because - hey - get it out of your system. Also, I feel like it's controlled, as to where he only does it a few times a month - not everyday all day, so I'm okay with that.

Tonight while I was getting super ready, my 3 older kids were sitting at the table eating some apples and peanut butter dip. My son was talking something about Grand Theft Auto. When I asked him what he was talking about he asked me if I knew what it was. Uhhh...yeah - do you? He says, yeah - it's a video game my friend got last week.

Okay, never mind - I thought I knew what it was - didn't know it was a video game.

So he starts talking about this video game where you break into peoples cars and steal stuff and - well you get the idea. So, I get a little worried. I asked him if he would break into peoples cars in real life? He said, 'No, it's against the law.' I asked, 'What if it wasn't against the law - would you do it?' He said, 'No, I wouldn't - it's not right to take things that don't belong to you.' After questing him a little more and then finally asking him, 'If something is wrong to do in real life, why would you want to play a game acting as if you were doing something wrong?' To which he answered, 'Mom, I know what's right and wrong - I know what's good and bad. But playing a game about stealing stuff is fun.'

To which I was speechless. I didn't know what to say or how to respond. He's a good kid and I know he knows the difference between right and wrong - but to hear him say that, as if to say 'Don't worry Mom, I'm a big boy now' about brought a tear to my eye.

On the other hand...I still don't know how I feel about this video game. I don't like the idea of a video game where your acting like a criminal. Is this a big deal? Am I being biased because I am not an avid video game lover?

I would love to hear how other parents feel about this topic.