Video Games

[wildflowers]

Hello, I hope I'm doing this correctly.
My dilema of the week with my 11 1/2 year old is the video game FABLE. I looked up the pros and cons on Focus on the Family's website under unplugged if anyone is interested. My son played it at a friend's house and then tried to purchase it himself but it was rated M (thankfully) so the clerk would not sell it to him.
Has anyone heard of this game?
The review I read said it was about a boy who is constantly confronted with choices between good and evil and whatever he chooses has concrete consequences. I liked that part. But then it went on to what the evil they could choose would be. It was yucky. Murder, marriage the sex behind a screen, the boy turned man could choose a man or woman for marriage and get divorced and remarrried.
My son swore up and down he would only choose the good actions.
I think I've made up my mind on this one but wondered if anyone else struggled with these decisions. HALO is the other game he wants really bad. Thanks for your input. :?

[pa_wife]

Hi, I have an 11 yr old myself. He gets only the Y or E games. He is also not allowed to play any videos at his friends house, but even if he were, I know his friend's mom--and they only have the same type of games we do. Mostly they just play outside together-or ride bikes. We explained to the kids a long time ago that they would never be allowed to do something before the age rating suggested=and then it would still be "parental" decision rules.

[wildflowers]

Thank you for your input. That makes a lot of sense.

I guess where I got a little confused is listening to Dr. Laura. I have a lot of respect for her and she critisized a listener for relying on movie ratings instead of going to see the movie firsthand.

Then I'm divorced and my ex has different values and feels I'm overprotective with Preston as it is.

Plus I do listen to other parents who I feel share my Christian values and appear to be doing a wonderful job with their kids.

Thank you again! :D

[pa_wife]

You know, when it comes to what goes into our kids, we just don't play the guessing game. The rating system works pretty well for us. Not just for our kids, but sometimes even PG 13 is too much, you know? Then there are the movies that really should be rated a little higher--my MIL said it just depends on the kid---we just don't agree, it has to do with being a Christian.
I always ask my kids "would you still do that if you could see Jesus sitting next to you?" That is something I try to ask myself too. Its just fair like that :D

[wildflowers]

That's good. Thank you so much. :D
After I told my son about the review I read he decided it wasn't a good idea either! Phew!!!

[mama4ever]

My middle child is a 14 year old girl. I always check it out first, from seversl places, unplugged, friends who have the same beliefs as I do and I sometimes I think not all the PG13 movies are right for her. Sometimes they go to far. Don't worry about what others think. Even when my kids go to my sister's, she knows I won't let my kids watch Harry Potter and know my limits and she respects them. My kids don't go to people's houses that won't respect the way we are raising our kids. Even when it comes to TV. Some 7th Heaven shows were to mature for her and we changed the channel. Now that she is older she has seen the reruns of some of them. It might be tough with the ex but when it comes to friends you need to set the limits at what is best for you child. And what is best for your one child might not be best for your younger one. Each child is different even within the same family unit.


[angelpink]

[wildflowers]

Those are excellent points. :)
Some PG13 movies should definitely be rated R. I'm often horrified mostly by their sexual content.
And the commercials that come on during family shows are often appalling. Or the previews at movies for families. It goes on and on the list of things we try to shield our young children from or even young teens.
One movie reviewer actually writes on some rated R movies "okay for mature teens). arrrgh :roll:

[mama4ever]

My husband mutes the TV during commericals. Sometimes we even have to change the channel. It's very distrubing that we have to see this junk during family TV [thumbsdown]

[angelpink]

[wildflowers]

I agree and good idea.
My son wants to start a petition about scary commericals for movies during family shows. I'm going to encourage him to do so. Maybe with enough signatures someone will listen.

[AngieBlessedby3]

I have always been strict with my son about the ratings on game. Im really glad his newest game he likes is lego star wars and that is pretty harmless. It is disturbing that they go to friends house and then later you here that friends mom buys whatever games her son wants no matter what the rating. Some moms I have talked to dont even know what the ratings mean. My biggest thing to explain to him is that it is not just about the game but what it represents and the disrespect for our values. People dying in a morbid fashion whether in a game or movie is a disrespect for human life and I dont support it by buying or watching.

On a side note a boy had stayed the night with my son and I was so impressed that he called his dad even though it was late and asked him if it was a movie he approved of. I was thinking "That is one solid kid"

[wildflowers]

I've always admired moms who are "strict". Even when I was a kid I remember wishing my parents were stricter! Kids need boundaries, it makes them feel safe. I need to remember that with my son even when he complains and whines and makes me believe I'm the worst mom ever that's when I need to remember I must be doing my job.


PS Cute kids! :D

[luvmy4sons]

My kids try to insist Halo is okay because they are shooting imaginary aliens. I have not caved. Nor will I. Stick by your guns ma. No pun intended. :lol:

[Mab]

hi,
All these sound good, now where my child/ren are no at their teens yet, one thing i try to do when i am confronted with something which may be acceptable to the rest of the world, but not to our Christian morals, is try to explain why. Give the child reason, and sometimes, allow them to make a choice - followed by the consequence (okay, games won't have such obvious consequence - so that is a bad example)
but at some stage, your child will be somewhere where they may be faced with the decision, you may not be there to decide for them, or even be aware of what choice they having to face. If we prevent them - and they not convinced, i am afraid they bound to make the wrong choice.
Hey, i was there once. My parents were strict, but I did not fully understand some of their rules - esp the ones that were like tottally opposite to ALL my buddies, so I would sneak out, and in the end, i made worse choices.
God is great, and He has taken care of me - for which I am greatful!
But take care when restricting your child from something. let them understand - so when they are at their ex (who may just WANT to go against what you want to get on the kid's better side or whatever) you child will say "No, i don't think that is such a good idea" or phone you to check. Solid kid someone said.
When the child grows up, he/she can make their own WISE decisions - since all their childhood, they have been coached by their parents.

Good luck

PS I aggree with the Age Restriction on movies, some are not right, anyone watched "IT & 5 children". it had a "All ages" and my 6 year old started screaming at one point to switch off the TV - it upset her so much.
That movie should have at least a 10+Parental guidance ! :(