Bowling and Board Games

In this day and age most parents allow their children to bring their entertainment with them where ever they go. Nintendo DSs' will be in hands at the park, grocery store, mall and movie theaters. It is as if parents are afraid to actually engage their children and be the "uncool" parents who don't let electronics travel with as if they are part of the family.

When I watch my friend's children there is a rule that there are no electronics, toys, or other forms of entertainment allowed when they are with me. I want to spend time with them. I want them to just enjoy being a kid without outside entertainment.

Yesterday I took 3 of my friend's children bowling. We only stayed for an hour but it was more than enough fun. There were plenty of laughs, jokes and smiles shared among the four of us while trying to get strikes so we could brag that we were the winner. After two games, and tying scores we headed over to Zesto's on Piedmont for some greasy food. We talked and laughed. It was pure and simple fun. No drama, no electronics. I did cave a little because it was just dreadful weather and we were not able to get out and enjoy any of the parks in Atlanta. We went back to their house and watched an old movie from my childhood, Good Burger. It was simple, fun movie. No drama, no attitude. I know- electronics were involved in this outing at this point. But it was raining and we had a limited budget on entertainment.

However, their sister came home and that is when the fun started. Has anyone noticed how confusing some board games are these days? It took us a good 30 minutes to figure out how the cards worked for Spongebob Sorry! However, the game started and so did the smack-talking. Each of us picking out a different person to bump back to home the next chance we got. I of course was caught up in the music playing in the background and was called out for my chair dancing!

Around this time a friend of the oldest daughter showed up for a sleepover. I figured that they would go shut themselves in her room and not come out till begged to come down for dinner. But it wasn't the case. We broke out Scattegories and got on teams and played for 2 hours. Do you know how hard it is to create lists with 5 children under 13? Extremely hard because no one knows enough yet. But that is the beauty of the game- the children got to learn while playing.

I think more families should attempt this all day entertainment on an upcoming Saturday. Set a budget that is minimal and stick to it. Grab a blanket and take advantage of Grant Park's peaceful green spaces, picnic by the Chattahoochee, hike Kennesaw Mountain and appreciate nature. Most important of all- bring a board game. You never know when a good moment will strike for some family competition!

Posts will be harder to come by now since I no longer have a childcare position. But I am always one for observing families and child behavior while out. I am sure I'll be able to grab some entertaining post ideas! Atlanta families are great for that!

I enjoy grocery shopping

I do i LOVE it. it is relaxing. I love the smell of the fresh fruit and veggies, the smell of the bakery, chatting with the guys in the meat department. The deli ladies are always nice. I do shop at Whole Foods. I do go every Sunday morning. It is the best time to go. Why? Because it is the least likely time I will have to tolerate parents who let their children run loose through the store with those stupid fucking mini grocery carts.

WHY!!!!!!! Why can parents not teach their children to walk nicely beside them and help them in a grown up manner shop? Why can't parents these days actually teach their children anything!!!

It is like people these days want to piss off as many people as possible with their children's bad behavior. Umm...just because you procreated doesn't make you special. People have been doing it for generations.

I have gotten rammed into by many of children with the grocery carts. The parent just stand there and i swear with smirks on their faces when I give them nasty looks for the throbbing knee I was just given by their spawn of satan.

When I take any kids I babysit out to shop there are strict rules and if they don't follow them they get a stern talking to once and if they misbehave again-we leave. Can parents really not do the same thing?

From now on I am going to start giving parents a piece of my mind whenever faced with a misbehaving child in public. The only people who should have to tolerate that is the parents and I would appreciate it if they could be considerate enough not to punish the rest of the public

Wii games and tantrums

So, I am not a fan of video games for children under 10 years old. Mostly because children do not know how to read the instructions and understand that just because you swing the remote doesn't mean that it will always register.

Because of this kids don't know what they are doing and they get mad.

Example: Tonight child wasn't winning so he quit the game in the middle of playing and threw the remote at brother's head in the process. Yeah- I made the rule MONTHS ago that if they got angry ONCE that they had to stop playing. It works.

What I don't get is why parents are letting their children play video games younger and younger. Shouldn't they be playing make believe when they are 4 years old? Not killing and violent video games where they are filled with rage..

I just hate it when they start yelling at me when I am winning.

Damnit child let me enjoy my victory round first!