Day One to a Better Mind

I'd actually known the kids were spending too much time at their computers.

In the old days, they self-regulated themselves with a timer. Sure, there were some slip-ups and "unintentional" goings-over the limit, but in general, there were rules and since the kids were downstairs, I could keep tabs on them.

All that changed when their computers moved up to the second floor addition. Not that I don't enjoy the peace and quiet, but my age and the geographical move made regulation more complicated.

For one thing, I couldn't be running up and down the stairs all afternoon checking on different people taking their stints at different times. For another, it became apparent that Nolan was performing certain creative experiments with the time/space continuum. I mean, who knew that turning off the timer meant it never beeped when game-time was over?

Of late, I'd been letting them pretty much play computer games (after lunch...not all day) without much restriction.

I had mentioned holding game time to a certain hour of each day, but had never gotten around to implementation.

Talking with Judy Hintz on Tuesday and thinking about Nolan's lack of development in certain areas helped me to realize I couldn't put off the restrictions any longer.

As of today, it's a whole new world in Hoytdom.

I told them that once their prescribed game time and educational activities were over for the day (which they have to partake of together), all would be banished from the computer room.

Alternate activities to include outside play, books, board games, etc.

Then Nolan discovered the dart board that someone from church had given us. After doing a quick calculation on the potential for ER visits and general maiming, I said those immortal lines spoken by mothers from time eternal, "Go talk to your father."

Loren, in a very helpful spirit of keeping them out of the computer room, set up a piece of plywood along the stud-exposed wall, to which he affixed said dartboard.



They've been at it pretty much non-stop, before and after supper. And only two darts have been broken!

After the second one bit the dust and Ethan came in complaining about how hard the other two boys were throwing--never mind that he started out with a fastball pitch technique--I again stated, "GTtYF."

Loren went out and demonstrated an underhand toss, saying, "Some people throw them like this..."...*thump*....BULLS-EYE!

Much heraldry ensued.

___________

In other news, I was down another 1.5 pounds, this morning. An absolute miracle since I literally spent almost 12 hours sitting, yesterday....hope it holds :-)

I'm planning for another go at the treadmill around 8, which amazingly enough coincides with "Criminal Minds."

Wonder if they need any more consultants?
 

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