Henry Imler April 27th, 2006

Michelle Singletary just hit me with a tangent.

“Spare the IPod, Unspoil the Child.”

My 10-year-old daughter can’t understand why I won’t buy
her an iPod. Really, what 10-year-old has lived long enough to have a
passion for hundreds of songs she just has to have in her hip pocket?

That also applies to myself.

First, it’s the initial outlay for the game system. But
then there’s the endless badgering to supply them with new games to
feed their habit. Sorry, I’d rather put that money into my son’s
college fund.

Again, it also applies to myself.

“It’s just not fair,” she whined. “All my friends are
going on trips or doing exciting things on their spring break.” To
which I said, “You want excitement? Read a book and you can live
vicariously through the characters and their exciting lives.”

She sulked. I saved.

Parents are spending so much to keep their children entertained that
these young folks don’t know how to entertain themselves with anything
that doesn’t cost money.

Crap, I am 0 for 3. Call me Juan Pierre.
All of this does not just apply to the parent/child relationship. It
also applies to the me/myself and that you/your self relationships. All
the video gaming is fun and all, but it is no where near that
satisfaction and growth that I get out of reading or spending time with
Meredith.

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