A Father’s Note to His Son Says what Needs to be Said More Often About Video Games

This email is floating around the internet and I agree with this guy. Parents need to set boundaries with video game time. 

From:
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2014 2:47 PM
To: 
Subject: a note from Dad - something to think about

Hi Buddy,

I figured I better write you a note and give you a heads up about a talk we need to have.  The talk will be a serious one.  I’m not mad – just concerned.  What do you want out of life?  I guarantee you’ll get back what you put into it.  Meaning if you put hours and hours into video games you’ll get just that – hours and hours of wasted time.  Video games are fun and I like them too.  But, when they literally take over your life and you make decisions based on “video game time” – there’s a problem.   You (and your brother) need to find a balance.

Here’s what I see – you don’t take care of your responsibilities before playing video games.  Today your uniform was dirty – so I dug it out of your laundry basket and washed it before I left for work – while you slept. You could’ve done this last night.

When I came home for lunch at 12:30 – it was still in the washer. I decided that maybe you got distracted by your doctor appointment – so I threw the uniform in the dryer.  I ate my lunch and did a few things around the house and at 1:35 I noticed you were still playing video games.  So, I reminded you that your uniform was in the dryer.  You got agitated that I was reminding you.

Here’s the deal - from here on out – if you want to play sports – it’s on you.  I won’t wash your uniform again.  I won’t remind you of game times or to call your coach, I won’t pack your lunch anymore and I won’t fund-raise to pay for your baseball season.  If you want it – you will have to do the work. Next week you have a college baseball prospect camp which we already paid for – so you’ll have to go.  After that, whatever you choose is up to you.  If you want to play summer ball we will support you.  If you don’t want this – then let us know and we’ll move on.  No hard feelings.  Whatever you decide to do you’ll still need to find a balance with video game time, your responsibilities and other activities.   I won’t sit back and watch you waste hours of your short youth in video game fantasy land.

You have a lot of potential son – academically, athletically, and musically. You’re gifted and I am so proud of your accomplishments and of you as my son. Your dreams are only a step away if you want them. I love you.

I look forward to our talk. 

Dad