[HardDrive]

Doesn't sound like the kids are the problem in this situation.

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

It's saddening for me to see what is transpiring. My GF's 14 year old is definitely missing out on life as it was for a kid. I try to get him outside, but he is reluctant to remove himself from his room where he is glued to the game console. It's pitiful. He and his buddies would rather play games online together than meet up and explore the world. Saturday was a prime example. His best friend lives maybe a half mile away, but he waited for his mother to come home to even ask if he could go over there to play games (inside), then had his mother drive him over there! I think it's ridiculous.

Every now and then we can get him out of the house, but not often enough in my book. He did finally try a team sport, he turned in his tuba for a set of pads and a helmet this past fall and played 8th grade football. He loved it! Then he tried out for basketball, but was cut. He does want to tryout for baseball in high school, but has never played the game in his life. I look forward to the opportunity to work with him on the fundamentals, but I honestly don't think it's going to be enough for him to secure a spot on a team. He is a good sport about it though, he understood that he was cut from basketball because the other kids were more advanced, and the reason was because they had been already been competing for several years. I've tried to introduce him to things that would afford him some quality in life, but it's been frustrating. He longer has his football I purchased, nor the baseball and glove I gave him, or the basketball... I'm not about to buy him a bike that will last a week! Of the things he still has that I bought are a BB gun he no longer plays with, and a helicopter he flew once or twice. I enjoy those though.

I can understand the entertainment value of a gaming console, as I used to have an Atari and a NES, but that stuff got old after awhile. All he and his friends want to do is hook up online and play for hours on end, every single day. The only time you see him is meal time or for the brief moments when he has to walk down the short hallway to relieve himself.

I was always outside. I knew the city streets before 6 years of age. It's going to be hilarious when this youngster gets his license. I can hear the conversation now, "how do I get there Ruben"? Use the GPS on your phone!