I heard myself utter that simple declaration one day. It sounded so obvious. But a child doesn't see it as obvious. A child doesn't typically stop something they consider fun until they are worn out or some force compels them to stop. Have you often seen a child worn out from playing video games? Me neither. But that day a clarifying notion took root in my mind: Playing video games involves knowing when to stop .  Just like eating requires knowing when to stop. And spending money requires knowing when to stop. And talking requires knowing when to stop. So many activities in which we engage ...

Do you only talk about God with your kids on Sunday? What about when they're firing up their game console? I encourage you to consider whether your kids remember God during their technology time. Here's a real exchange that was used before one child I know started his PC gaming. "Video games are fun, but what is most important of all? According to Matthew 22:37 it is Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (NIV)  [Hopefully your child will join in the recitation of the verse. A young child may join in with the Hands On Bible version ...

Because technology is built to serve us--and is pervasive--it is easy to unconsciously transfer that expectation of "serve me" to our relationship with God. Adam Thomas in Digital Disciple (p. 87) referenced this concept and kindled my thoughts about how this may affect a child's world. A child familiar with technology may begin to believe God serves us like technology serves us. As if CTRL ALT ↑ is enough to send to the ether a message about what we want and when, so that God can respond. But God is not a button on our keyboard. If you didn't grow up fingering buttons and swiping screen...

Saturday may not be a school day, but there is still much to be learned. Saturdays may be mayhem around the Wii or Xbox in your house. Learning to live Saturdays well by starting with a productive routine can be a path to unexpected fun and family progress. So on Friday night, prepare your brood for a new kind of Saturday. "I know tomorrow is Saturday and you are looking forward to being on your Xbox; however, I want you to first finish your morning routine (brush your teeth and make your bed, etc.) and then help me in the kitchen (cut strawberries, make pancake batter, etc.)  before you ...

Emma, the second grader I was babysitting, took out her Android Tablet filled with games as soon as we sat down together at a casual breakfast restaurant one Saturday.  Our conversation went something like this: Oh, Emma, you won’t be needing that. I will enjoy talking with you over breakfast this morning.  (Emma, with some uncertainty, turns the screen off and puts it away. She appears to look as if she thinks she’s in trouble.) But please tell me about your favorite game you play on that.  (She is slightly now more at ease since the conversation still centers around her machine, and she pr...

How many of your five senses do you use when you play a video game? Did you guess two?  That's right, you use fewer than half your senses when you play a videogame (40%, or 2/5).  You see the game and you hear the game.  What about your sense of taste, touch and smell? They are valuable too! Doing other things around the house everyday will make life more interesting by using all your senses. Taste what your sister has cooked (if she'll let you!), touch the flowers in our garden, smell the rosemary bush in the yard. You may happen to notice other interesting things when you do. Use 100% ...