Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Wii Wee

Robin commented about her MIL wanting to get her kids a Wii. Some of the nursing homes have been using them to get residents to exercise. They use the ones that simulate baseball, bowling or tennis or whatever, so the residents can sit in a chair and move their limbs while reacting to the motions. It gives them exercise and lots of fun and laughter.

14 comments:

Robin said...

So...question...I have called twice and haven't gotten to speak with her yet...

Am I wrong in thinking my kids don't need it? I thought it was just a video game is it more than that? Is it an exercise program? Now that you mention the exercise it seems she said something about dancing or something with it?? I think all I "heard" was video game and got turned off...

I'm open to any education you or anyone else cares to share.

Kay Day said...

Robin, we have one. We have everything... (rolling my eyes) and my kids don't like to go do anything else between their hand-held games, their Wii and the computer.
I think you are wise to limit this stuff. I wish we had. The Wii is different in that it requires some movement. And it is fun! So if you do choose to accept it, just put a time limit on it. That's what we do. 1 hour time limit per day. But my kids also get an hour for the computer and my son sneaks time on his hand-helds, I think, but I can't prove it.

Robin said...

Thanks Kay! After what your mom said about the people at the nursing home exercising it sparked something my MIL said about kids dancing around or something for exercise. Can you elaborate on that and what you mean by it requires some movement. I'm video game, Wii, etc. illiterate.

From what I viewed online I thought it was just a different type of video game that hooks to your tv - (made me think of Nintendo). I saw lots of wires and games that you could buy.

Kay Day said...

Robin, the games and equipment are expensive and the kids always see new games that they want.

The main component connects to the TV. The controls are wireless. So the kids aren't hooked to the tv. If they play the baseball game, they have to throw the ball and if they are the hitter they swing their control to hit the ball. You have to move like a bowler to bowl, etc.

They do have a new thing out that is part of Wii called Wii Fit, I think. it is an exercise program. We don't have that.

Robin said...

Thanks Kay! Oh decisions... I like the sound of the exercise portion, but am not sure I want my son (5) swinging things in the living room - he does that enough without Wii - haha.

Not to sound too weird but could you all pray that I make the right decision. We are traveling to see my inlaws next week (last week I'm allowed to travel according to my doc) and will most likely give my answer then.

Momstheword said...

Boy, I knew someone knew more than I do about that. Thanks, Kay.

Julie said...

Dont do it Robin! Just say no thank you very kindly. Once you start getting that stuff it takes over. If your kids can go outside they should be getting all they need. And that Wii fit thing, I know someone and she has it and it is very frustrating because it reads things wrong!

Melanie said...
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Melanie said...

We have video games (no Wii)...we would limit it to an hour a day..BUT with so many children..everyone wanted to play something different..so one would get an hour..and another and another...it would be three hours of video games and the others wanting to sit and watch the one play. We now limit it to after school on Friday for an hour and a couple hours on Saturday. No video games on Sunday..period. Works well..and they look forward to it at the end of the week and it does not interfere with homework and such. :)

Robin said...

Thanks for your insight Melanie!

Robin said...

Thanks Julie - I think I was heading in the direction you mentioned to begin with I just wanted to make sure I wasn't making a impulsive decision just because I didn't like something - make sense? The thing is even if I say no the Wii may end up at my house. I'm pretty sure I have a no coming on Tuesday. They have Leapsters already - so that's enough. Running and playing outside with the sun and fresh air would be better than a simulator in the living room. And I lived without video games of any kind. We played outside or in the barn (I know weird kids) most of the time. I also made up games all the time - it was fun.

Robin said...
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Robin said...
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Robin said...

I deleted two of my own comments because I decided I didn't want to mention them on blogs - I will try to email them to some instead because I really do want to work through an answer.