I would have your son checked by a Doctor before you worry about him. Second children need to learn by experience, with todays high tech world they need to learn all they can about computers and I guess computer games are a teaching tool. When I was a child a computer took up the space of a 4 bedroom house, today a cell phone has more ability than the luner module that landed on the moon in 1968.
Hope my thoughts will help you relax.

I know a lot of gamers. I'm one myself. It seems to come down to personal preference, mostly. I've never seen any correlation like you're supposing, but it's interesting to think about.

On another note, COD 5 is the bomb-diggity, yo. I'm a PC gamer, and not only is it really, REALLY fun (especially when you get to the Reichstag, if you're that far yet), but it's one of the few games that I've been able to rock out on and have the girlfriend happily watch.

Heck, she's even pointed out snipers in the palm trees that I couldn't even see, and acted as my "hey, somebody threw a grenade at you" pointer-outer.

If you're into the whole WWII shooter thing, you might also want to give Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway a try. It's still a first-person-shooter, but the style of gameplay is quite different - if you try the COD run-n-gun approach, you'll get mowed down quickly. In BiA, you've got support squads to order around, and it really hammers home the four Fs: "find, fix, flank and finish."

...Oh, and when you get to the Reichstag in COD 5, poke around in the balcony a bit before you start raining down Stalin-approved death on the Fascist hordes. There's a sniper rifle hidden up there that takes it to a whole new level.

...And I just now saw the other picture you posted. I'm new to the Sarah Connor Chronicles, but I actually interrupted watching an episode (Hulu.com - it's also the bomb-diggity, yo) to write this post. That episode with the changing points of view down in Mexico is some riveting TV.

If you like Summer Glau (who plays Cameron), see if you can find DVDs of her last TV series, "Firefly." It's basically a western set in space, and it was one of the best series on TV to ever last just one season. Features the guy from "Barney Miller," the hot dude (well, that's what the women say, anyway) from Desperate Housewives and the guy that played the doctor in 3:30 to Yuma, too.

isn't it 3:10 to yuma? Or is there a new one?

Garry: My doctor tried to get assistance for me from my son's school, to at least have a testing. All of his teachers say it's a behavior issue. While I think he acts out out of frustration (that's what he does at home.) So no rest for the weary and everyday is a struggle to complete basic assignments. His reward is "playing the game".

AC:

YES~~!~~~ I'm a HUGE fan of the Sarah Conner Chronicles - the episode you are taking about was 2 weeks ago and I looked at my husband (who wasn't a fan) and said "If you aren't a fan after this episode you never will be!!!" Last weeks - OMG - well, you'll have to catch up to find out. Big Heroes fan too!

Yes, I've finished COD5 and unlocked the zombie mode (On Hardened I might ad) not your typical Wife & mom by any means :).

I love the sniper rifle on the balcony (it's also before that on the steps in one of the sniper towers (on the right) you can clip quite a few off w/ that one as well!

- I think you have to be a level 55 to unlock it - I'm only at 41 right now and fully intend to prestige all 10 times. I prestiged on COD4 only 9, but that's because the 9th prestige emblem was the best one - who needs a gold cross, right? Give me my P90 w/ Acog scope & martyrdom on Hardcore Team Death anyday! :)

I tried the BIA:HH demo - liked the fact that the houses/trees etc were distructable - but I'm a big COD fan - although I did start w/ Halo 3(only been playing about a year) and am waiting for the new Halo 3 additions coming out.

Thanks for speaking my lingo AC. I did search for a correlation online. One explanaition was that some people play from the front of their "point of center" and some play from the back of the head/point of center. Seeing as he hasn't had any experience with flight simulators, that's the only conclusion I've been able to draw without thinking the worst.

I don't PC game although I must admit that Ozzy Osborne commercial for World of Warcraft has peaked my interest :)

PS: The flamethrower is awesome for those tree snipers!

High levels of violent video game exposure have been linked to delinquency, fighting at school and during free play periods, and violent criminal behavior (e.g., self-reported assault, robbery).

If you teach a kid that violence is wrong, then a video game is not going to make them a killer! IT IS NOT A VIDEO PROBLEM, IT'S A PARENTING PROBLEM!

Yes, BG, parenting is the problem,, yet, if parents do NOTHING, as WTT says, the video gaming and TV, MTV, RAP, is all they know, learn. There HAS to be a balance to be effective.

I find it very disturbing how today's youth defy authority! This absolutely spells TTTrouble.

South Ga Passion...seriously, how old is your child? I had some similar problems with the school not taking me seriously and now I have a teen that cannot read! Doctors do not do the kind of evaluation you want to determine if he is dyslexic or adhd.

Don't take no as an answer! Keep pushing to find out what his school difficulty is, because no one else will.

FYI - adhd stigma probably hurt us the most. I was in denial that mine could be ADHD, so he went a long time without medication and the formative years are so important.

There are lots of kinds of dyslexia also, not just the kind that flips letters over.

There is a place in Hagan, Phoenix something that serves Pinewood Christan Academy and BA students with problems (a local pediatrician recommended). My child had an eval there...it was $300, but insurance can sometimes cover the cost. So we know exactly what his learning disability is.

Holy crap. Bullochguy and I agree on something.

WTT, that's why parenting is extra-important. With the all-encompassing mediasphere out there, these messages *will* get to kids. It's up to parents to show them how to interpret and filter. It's also why there are ratings on games (my favorite is "M for Mature," but I'm also in my thirties).

Without getting into a protracted discussion, video gaming is in the same stage now that movies got into in the late twenties and early thirties. All of a sudden the technology was there to really tell stories, and people went a bit wild. There was sex, there was violence, there was even cursing. Then the Hays Code came around, things got boring for a while, and then put on an even keel. We'll see something like that happen with video gaming too, I'll bet.

Passion, for the love of all that's holy, stay AWAY from WoW unless you have a pretty strong non-addictive personality. I played for a loooong time, and it's definitely rather crack-like. I eventually put it aside when I figured out that I was working 2-3 hours a night for virtual stuff (aka fake stuff and fake money that I could spend on more fake stuff).

I've got a couple of developer friends who are starting to get into game development, and I actually suggested to them that they take the WoW/Skinner Box/addiction model and apply it to the little online Flash games they're making — you start out with a big reward for passing level one, and the rewards get smaller and smaller as you progress in levels. It sounds ludicrous from the outside, but that's why people will play the heck out of massively multiplayer online games. They get hooked early, and have to work more and more for the same payout. Like heroin, I guess.

Williamser, I'm no young'un myself, but youth of every age have defied authority, from taking over the known world (okay, so maybe Alexander wasn't the average youth) to flappers and speakeasies to "tune in, turn on, drop out."

And SouthGa., here's the "currently playing" list:

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3
Left 4 Dead (sorry, Zombie)
Star Wars: Jedi Knight 3 (I just now got around to re-installing it. Six years old, and it still never gets old grabbing someoen and tossing them off a ledge using the Force)
Star Wars: Empire at War (I'm a Star Wars geek)
World of Goo (recommended by several people and they were right)
Fallout 3 (lost interest for a while after an entire town decided to up and try to kill me for no discernible reason)

It is required that the school in your child's service area test him at your request. You may need to call the county office and speak to the special education coordinator. Although your child may be VERY bright...he still may have some small developmental difficulty that will cause him to struggle unless the necessary measures are taken to meet his needs. How are his writing skills? Does he write his letters and numbers backwards? A lot of kids write their numbers and letter backwards in the beginning so this doesn't necessarily mean dyslexia...I'm just curious. My husband was dyslexic and back then they didn't know about it so he had to study EXTRA hard and always wondered what the deal was that he had to spend so much time toward his studies. The public schools here are great as far as special resources go....so be sure to stay on top of them and test him if those are your wishes. It is your right! Also, you may want to observe your son's class (try doing it without him being aware is possible.) There may be some other underlying issue. Is it more of an academic thing than a behavior issue?

Yes Scargo - he does write letters incorrectly. Still can't read the directions on his homework (he's 7 and in first grade) because we held him back in K.

I know there is some sort of issue. I just don't have the medical background to diagnose it. My amazing Family Dr. John Gerguis sent a letter to my school requesting help. You know what they replied with? A letter saying he was "on course" and "average for his age."

I have two older children both with honor & principal honor roll & Quest Status. I know this isn't a parenting issue as some may suggest. I've had 3 different teachers say "it's no big deal" and one demeaning letter to back them all up. I don't think it's ADHD - he follows directions when there are punishments or rewards. He is very bright, funny & creative. Dr. John did actually have someone in our corner from the school board, I'm not sure if that's why we received such a harsh letter or not.

Mr. Judy, the principal, can only go by what the teachers tell him, & I understand that, however, the teachers, when asked over & over, always try to reassure me that nothing is wrong, when I know, call it mom's instinct or whatever. I know my boy is struggling.

Thanks to those of you with kind words. My son is a good boy. A tender hearted lil man, he plays "Army" and I would love to see him in the service when he gets old enough. He has two sisters and for those of you who want to 'blah blah blah' about rated "m" for mature - you try raising a little man inside a house full of perfume, hairspray, fingernail polish & Hannah Montana.

I for one am proud he'd rather play Call of Duty than Kameo (look it up). :P

Just for clarity's sake, I meant no offense with the "M for mature" comment. If anything, Southga is living proof of the point that parents are key to the whole thing. I say let 'im play. He's got the parental wherewithal to handle it.

Are your other two children boys or girls? If they are girls, perhaps you saw them progress faster than your little boy is doing. Even if you have another boy the same sex that was ahead of this younger one, I'm sure you understand that children "blossom" at their own pace. Since he is 7...I'd say, give it a little longer and I know that has to be so hard. My stepson was failing the 2nd grade because he wouldn't/couldn't read. My husband had him over the summer and was told..."be sure he reads these books. (regular 2nd grade reading stuff) Begging nor bribing would help get those books read! One day he was sitting on the sofa by his dad and there was a pilot's magazine on the coffee table. To my husband's amazement...he started reading an article in the magazine. Airplanes were his thing and he enjoyed reading about them obviously much more than he did his second grade books. He wasn't dumb....he was bored!! This same little boy went on to graduate from GT with a 3.9 GPA and is now a computer engineer. So, hang in there.

Two girls. Bored / Frustrated I can see that - all his teachers have the same "behavior complaints". That he "speaks out of turn" or "has to be reminded several times of the rules." or "won't sit in his chair right".

I do not think he is ADHD although sometimes it seems there is a lack of focus there, but none that I want to rope around him with drugs.

I've always thought he was frustrated or bored. I don't think he's dyslexic to an extreme. I feel he has a learning style that is different that the way he is being taught - I just can't figure out how to work with him to interpret the typical learning style to his understanding, liking or interest.

That's why I thought it was interesting that he inverted his controller...I was hoping for an "Ah Ha" moment I guess.

ok...this helps a little more. I think he may be bored more than anything! Most teachers are trained to "teach the masses" and God bless 'em all. However, it takes a special talent that can balance an entire classroom of children (and teach the cookie cutter lessons, so to speak and also keep others like your son occupied and challenged (and maybe this is really the case.) Pop in and observe. A good teacher will open her doors to that.

My husband had a great nephew that was struggling to keep up in school. Barely got out of kindergarten. The mom finally realized he needed more help than she could give him. She enrolled him in tutoring some place in Statesboro. He is now in middle school and making mostly A's. Don't give up. If he does not get the help he needs now, then when he gets to middle school he will be lost.

Oh! I forgot to mention that the school tested him for ADHD and was put on medication. The mom did not like the way it made him act. He would not eat and was really thin. Could not sleep either. She had to sign papers to discontinue meds.

don't rule out med's just because one didn't work...you wouldn't send a farsighted kid to school without eyeglasses would you?

Don't give it time...stay on it, it is too important!

ADHD is real and I believe those that have it should be on medication. However, too many teachers want to throw medication at the problem too prematurely. I already know that you are on top of it... and I agree to monitor it, but school started in August...so give it 6-8 weeks and see if you see any progress. I didn't mean to ignore it by any means. I do wish you could get someone to give him the WISC III to just see what his scores are. I'd give it to him, but I don't have access to one. :(

I'll mention it to the school - the WISC III. See what they can tell me. Thank you for the information - I truly appreciate it.

First of all dyslexia is a very real neurological disorder and those suffering from the problem deserve our understanding and support.However,many children labelled with this disorder simply never bothered to learn how to read or to concentrate. They can't read worth beans because they never bother to read anything---cause and effect.It is also important to note that poor readers may reverse letters regardless of cause.Medication can be salvation for some hyperactive children ,but many other children are overmedicated and every medication brings a host of side effects along with promised relief.

Reading develops propositional thinking,the ability to concentrate,improved vocabulary,increased cultural awareness ,and writing fluency.Many young people and --alas-- their parents are largely inarticulate because of the very sharp decline in reading that has taken place over the last thirty years.

Musca

I just spoke with a very intelligent friend of mine and they said they invert their controllers. They don't have dyslexia but possibly ADD haha.

*sigh*

No Ah Ha moments here...but at least I have a game plan thanks to Scargo.

WTT - I was going to ignore your comment, but the more I come back here and re-read - the more emotional I get over your post.

I simply asked a question about inverted controllers, so I'm not quite sure why you thought it necessary to chime in on my parenting skills. Or to make a reference to potential violent behavior and infer that my son may be having issues because of a game, or that my parenting skills are lacking because he plays that game. I think you've made an assumption in error about my child or the potential for my child to become delinquent based on a video game.

He also plays Feeding Frenzy (a fish game), Halo 3, hotwheels.com, ATV VS MX (a motorcross game) and lots of other "non violent" games. I play COD almost exclusively and that's how I noticed the inverted controller. I would thank you for your concern, but I doubt you made your comment out of concern. So I'll thank you to keep your opinions to your misguided blogs unless you have something constructive to add to this specific conversation.

SGP, is it possible that your son is smarter than those in his class and is acting out because he is bored? My cousin's son was "accused" of being adhd years ago, but his mom stood strong that he was not. He is 12 now and is very, very, very smart (still bored in the gifted program). He can carry on a conversation with an adult, but has a hard time doing the same with a kid his own age.

Is there a way you can get him tested privately without going through the school system? When they do tests for learning disabilities (which really means that they learn differently than "most" people), they also test for IQ. It seems to me that you may have a very smart, and very bored child on your hands.

And, just fyi, my brother was held back a year and repeated kindergarten. He refused to talk to the teacher, or anyone else. My mom thought he had autism for a while. He seemed to develop slowly compared to my older sister and me (even though I was younger). He is now a 31 year old graduate of Ga Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a job with the FAA. And his social skills are better than mine. He has tons of friends. :) Things change, is all I'm saying.

"High levels of violent video game exposure have been linked to delinquency, fighting at school and during free play periods, and violent criminal behavior (e.g., self-reported assault, robbery)."

WTT, can you point us to some of these studies? I am curious if these same kids had parents who parented them, or if they had absent parents. Violence + absent parents = trouble. Video games + loving parents = fun.

A good parent is not gonna let young, impessionable kids play games that are bloody, gory, nothing but killing and sex and cursing.

A good parent will moderate what the kid is playing and explain that violence is not the answer, sex is for two consenting and preferably committed adults, and will teach kids morals and respect.

Southga passion quote:
"We have been currently playing COD 5: World at War. Our son plays as well,"

From entertainment software rating:
Call of Duty: World at War

Platform: Windows PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Rating: Mature (age 17)

Content descriptors: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Rating summary: Call of Duty: World at War is a first-person shooter in which players assume the role of Allied soldiers in both the European and Pacific Fronts during World War II. Combat can be intense with extensive use of camera effects (e.g., slow-motion, blurring, and screen shakes) and realistic sound effects to highlight the tense and frenetic nature of each battle. Fighting is fast-paced with players using a large array of military weapons (guns, grenades, and flamethrowers). Collateral damage includes sprays of red blood when enemies are shot; maimed appendages from explosions; and flailing and screaming when enemies are set on fire. Cutscenes and historical footage can contain graphic depictions of prisoner/POW executions. Strong profanity can be heard during gameplay (e.g., "f*ck" and "sh*t").
Is this appropriate for a 7 yrs old??

First, My son doesn't play any "sex" games (ie. Grand Theft Auto etc).

WTT: to answer your question. I cuss like a sailor. My children do not. They have been clearly warned of the consiquences of using foul language. I have parented that way and try to refrain from using those words around them (thus the fargin / holy ham sandwich / what the shoe size) plays on the bad words.

I know children who's parents don't curse, yet they let a few slip occasionally due to the children around them cursing. It does go back to parenting. I was raised in a staunch christian home, protected from the most basic things. Including the smurfs (gargamell was demonic).... When the real world hit, I was in a whirlwind and didn't have any coping skills to deal with nasty people, people who don't play by the rules, I wasn't taught to make right choices because they'd always been made for me.

Do I feel that dismembered bodies is appropriate for all children. No, of course not. However, he has a firm grasp on "game" vs "reality". He didn't get his first toy gun until he was six years old. That was because he showed an interest in "army" things. I was always a parent who didn't want their children playing with any type of gun.

So, because his father & I enjoy this type of game, and play it as often as time allows, it would seem only natural he take an interest into what his dad and mom find so much fun.

So not that I NEED to defend my parenting skills to you, but merely for clarification, rest your weary lil head, my son is well rounded, doesn't sit in front of a "babysitting" tv, nor will he have any illusion that people like you may or may not exist.

RedSatin - See above & add, none of my children play online, have a myspace, facebook etc, or access to any of the "Real" gore in the world and how in the world do people talking about a 7 year throw in the word "sex" anyway. You're a sick son of a motherless goat.

Every argument in the world can be made to pass judgement - until you walk in my heels, don't step to me.

My nephew is nine, the son of a former marine and captain in the police force and he too enjoys playing war games with his daddy. I don't know what kind they are, but I do know that he has fine parents and he is not unsupervised when he's playing them. He is not allowed access to the internet.

wtt, I don't know what your problem is but there definitely is one.

You always tried to start something with politics. Now that the election is over your fingers seem to be antsy and you jump on anything you think may cause friction. Why don't you get a life and worry about your own children and let others parent their own kids. Oh! Yeh! Your kids, if you had any, probably ran away from home just as soon as they learned to crawl.

You are doing just fine SGP. Just stay involved in your kid's lives. Your kids probably think you are a real cool Mom. Kids learn from example not from video games. I have been a movie buff from the stone ages and I have seen it all. I guess I should be swing from a vine like Tarzan, riding a horse like Roy and Gene or maybe riding in a chariot like Charlton Heston. If kids see love and respect from their parents they know the difference between violence in video games and real life. Kids are way smarter than you want to give them credit for.

Thank you Scargo & CBWill. I appreciate your understanding, support & suggestions to my questions.

I've been playing games for quite some time now southga and I know a lot of people that play inverted but do not suffer from dyslexia.

The only games I play inverted are flight simulators.

Do a google search on this issue though...you will find it seems to be pretty random why some people play this way and others do not.

BTW...I'm more of a Halo 3 fan but COD is great!!!

M-m-m-m-a-a-a-a-a-a-a, M-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-! I've lost my M-a-a--a-a-a and I'm s-s-s-si-i-i-i-ick! Ma-a-a-a-a-a-!!!

Now that I got that out of my system since I am a "sick son of a motherless goat...." SGP, I was in no way calling you down or criticizing your parenting. I did not intend the comment I made to appear to be directed at you or your son. If it came across that way I am sorry.

However, if the shoe fits wear it. That's your business, but I have a right to express my opinion about violence and sex on video games and how they should be handled regarding children.

You are way to defensive here. I made a generalized comment about the issue overall, not aiming it at you in any way, yet you assumed I was bashing your parenting skills.

And then you resort to name calling!! Maybe those violent video games are affecting you in a negative way?????? I know you personally and am really surprised at your reaction. Maybe you just had a bad day?

Excuse me. I need to go find my m-m-m-ma-a-a-a-a. BTW I am nobody's "son." What kind of man would have a blog name "redsatinblacklace?"

Maybe you need to re-read your post. and the "Son" comment was in reference to using "non bad" words instead of what I really wanted to say, which would have been an inference to a "bisket eater". I may have come off defensive, it was in response to your post that included the implication that I couldn't possibly be a good parent because my son plays a war game...or implying that all things go and he's somehow being subjected to the things in your post without any parental involvement. So, regardless of what you "meant to say", the implication was there. My assumption (that you were "bashing my parenting skills", as you put it, was based on you posting on my blog with your comment that had nothing to do with the initial blog. Rest assured he has two loving and active parents who moderate his activities.

I read your other post about people at your job being "mean". Maybe you should do some self examination and see if you may be part of the problem instead of solution. If you have nothing beneficial to add, why post? I certainly stayed away from your "poor me" blog as I had nothing nice to say to you. You can certainly take the same liberty where my blog is concerned unless you have something constructive to add.

SGP, this is what I posted:

" A good parent is not gonna let young, impressionable kids play games that are bloody, gory, nothing but killing and sex and cursing."

I never said nor implied you did these things. I do not know anything abut the games you and your family play. I do not play video games, but have family members who do and I am familiar with the vulgarity and violence OF SOME. However, I am not a gamer. I am not saying there is anything wrong with gamers or what you do.

I said " A good parent will moderate what the kid is playing and explain that violence is not the answer, sex is for two consenting and preferably committed adults, and will teach kids morals and respect."

I would have imagined you do that. I never said you or anybody in particular did or did not do so. I never called you or anyone a bad parent. This post was a generalized opinion.

It seems you are just looking for a fight. I suggest you stick with your imaginary world fights where you can blow some imaginary figure to bits to ease your anger, because it is not deserved here. I did re-read my post and I am not stupid, I knew you what you were calling me. That shows real class, lady.

Saying my post implied you are a bad parent must be your own guilty conscience, because I never said nor thought that. Now, however, I am wondering....

What you inferred is not what I implied. This is your mistaken perception here, not mine. I KNOW what I was saying, but apparently when you read a post you read what you wanna read, not what is there.

You know nothing about what is going on regarding my other post. And you would be quite surprised if you knew who I am. I was someone who once had an admiration and respect for you.

My post was in response not to your blog, which as a matter of fact I respect as being a question from a concerned parent, but a response to several other bloggers' posts about video game violence and parenting.

You jumped the gun, Heather, and are angry over nothing, because what you read into my comment simply is not there. But congratulations - now you have shown me a side of you I did not know was there.

My other blog was not a " poor me" blog. It was a valid expression of disgust over people who play mind games and brown-nose in the office.

Maybe I should blog about people who are so supersensitive and paranoid they have to retaliate in anger to imagined criticism where there is none.

By the way, this particular post IS INDEED directed towards you. The original one was not. Are you proud to have turned something completely innocuous into an imagined attack against you?

By the way, at my wonderful office where there lurks some catty people, I keep to myself, keep my nose to the grindstone and do not participate in office gossip. I don't talk about other people and mind my own business. The fact that you dragged that blog into a response on your blog is a sad display of your making this into a personal attack because you imagined I was criticizing your parenting skills. Tsk, tsk.

In all fairness, red, your blog did come across as attacking sgp. I have grandkids and no kids at home so I don't know a darn thing about the game stuff.

Frankly, I came here asking a general question about inverted controllers and could have said "We play Wii and on Tennis he inverts the controllers." (Which he does it on the Wii as well)

You've seen the side call mess with my family, get the heat. Your vague post came off as intended for me or it wouldn't have needed to be posted here during the specific portion of attacks on my parenting from WTT which is why I responded to both of you in the same post.

Thanks Mommy2 -I did get emotional in my response - who doesn't when it involves family? Especially children.

SGP, I read the blog that you are so critical of and if you comprehend what you read, you can see that it was not about you or your family. I read it several times trying to see your side of it and it just was not there.You say that you "cuss like a sailor" yet teach your children not to cuss. To a 7 year old this could be very confusing. I have seen children get so frustrated over the video games(even Mario) and become so angry that they threw the controler at the TV or playing partner, and used profanity. Most of us use profanity when angry, just the way we learned from our parents or older siblings. I do not see any problem with parental supervision over these video games, but the problem lies with addiction.Red did not say that you were a bad parent, but was commenting in general about the "many" parents that are.I too see a different side of you as well.The son of a motherless goat sounds like something you would not want your children to repeat, because of the inference of low class.Talk about constructive comments...why not use constructive teachings?

I agree on wtt's comments. This is true and I can not see any doctor tell anyone that these games are good for young children. Children learn from environment.If they are playing thse games they DO confuse real life and fantasy. Take yourself to a counsler and present your problem and your answers to this blog and see what he says about this.I have worked with students of all walks, for 25 years, and the most troubled ones have played violent and or graphic video games as well as watching violent and graphic movies. Say what you want, but 7 years old is too young for violent games. Go back and read your blogs on this page. You have created a different image of you to me and some others.In your opinion the violent games are ok for your lil'man. I am afraid that you will one day eat those words. I would like to see what other parents think of their young impressionable children playing the games you speak about. This 7 year old is still in his developmental stages of life and yes he should be playing constructional games that teach math and reading skills . There are many adventurous games in this field. Ask his teacher.You may be young,and this is why you think the way that you do.I don't think you are a bad parent...just uneducated on some teachings.Give it some thought and don't call me an unpleasant name.I am on your side, just trying to help.

Listen, I know by posting a blog I open myself up to judgement. I'm ok with that. However, I have 3 children. Good kids, not hoodlems. My son (he was 6 then) was playing a racing game (when we first got the game) and he got angry and threw the controller down. He was punished by not playing the game until he could learn to "respect" the hardware. He hasn't thrown one down since, it was a lesson learned. What is parenting but dealing with issues, training your kids on what is right and wrong and how to deal with feelings and appropriate responses to situations?

Please don't assume that just because he plays this particular game that's his only form of intertainment. He also plays on the Wii (tennis, bowling, baseball etc) jigzone.com, candystand.com and we even have jumpstart CD's he plays spelling games on the PC as well as playing outside sports, candyland, Uno.

If I've implied in this post that we set him in front of the tv and let it be his parent, I appologize for the truly wrong impression and thank you for your concern.

If I had seen any inference of delinquent activities (pulling wings off of dragonflies, etc) I would have taken the appropriate messures to ensure my sons safety and wellbeing. I think your perception of my parenting skills is of someone looking from the outside in, and to only a few paragraphs.

I came to post out of concern for my child's development in school and trying to find a correlation between his inverted controller and a default setting. I don't consider that "uneducated on some teachings" as you put it.

At this point, I have to say "think what you will." My number 1 priority is the wellbeing of all my children and my family. The game is a reward for a job well done and effort in school and around the house. Sometimes he plays with me or his dad on the game we play, and always with us.

Who's child/grandchild has ever had a toy gun and pointed it at someone "playing". Was there a lesson there? I know in my house, when he got his first gun, we had to TEACH him a lesson about not pointing guns, even toy ones, at people. That was before Call of Duty and all a very real part of parenting, with or without a gaming system in the house.

What crawled up somebody's butt here? I see a bunch of h@77 raising about nothing on here. Y'all all still stuck on the fighting and carryin' on left over from the election or what? It's the holidays and time to be nice or Santa clause won't bring you nothing but a sack of sheets.

I see a loving mother doing what comes natural. Getting her hackles up when she hears demeaning comments about her self or family.I would do the same thing. Hurt me but stay the H*** away from my kids. I do not think RSBL was speaking about SGP. But SGP was defending her chld and her parenting skills, in what SHE thought was an attack. So this was all a misunderstanding on some parts.