I just think everyone is different & some parents will be more protective than others & tbh I think I would be VERY protective over my kids maybe a little extreme but everything I've been through so far I think that would come natural to me

Thing is Idont think Im over protective, Ilove the idea of my kids playing out in local parks and woods etc once they are old enough and going on bike rides. I know a lot of people worry about kids being out of sight and being attacked by weirdos, but I think its important to give kids space and let them charge around with their mates. But also I only want then going out if they have places to go to and things to do. I would not let my kids just hang around on street corners making nucenses of themselves. If they and their friends didnt have anything else to do I would rather they all come round here than just hang around the streets.

I think its just the kind of play Iwould encourage with my kids, I dont want them sitting in front of a TV or computer, no matter how educational some kids programs are etc, I want them to be playing with other kids, or just making up games using their imagination, and creativity, and doing craft things, like I did as a kid. Ididnt play on a computer I played with lego and dolls, and make hideouts and dens and make stuff with clay, and daisy chains etc, thats what childhood is to me, about inocence and play and letting your imagination run wild. I never sat playing computer games till I was a teenager.

I don't think your sanctimonious at all hun, its just we all do things differently and things have changed since we went off all day on bike rides etc...
Personally i try to give my children the best of both worlds
Emily is a very arty/crafty person and has glue, paints and embellishment coming out of her ears, she loves doing jigsaws and her imagination when with her friends is a sight to see LOL
But on the other hand i like her to be able to use a computer, they start teaching PC use at schools, Emily could boot up a PC and show her friends what to do but had no idea how to play on a console, which some of her friends found odd
Jack has block, bricks jigsaws pens etc... and i wouldn't dream of plonking him in front of TV for hours on end and i doubt i will let him on the console before he is 6

I wasn't suggesting I think your overly protective over you lil one or would be - I was saying some parents are protective in their own ways some will appear more protective than maybe you would be personally ... An that I think I would be overly protective rightly or wrongly.

x

I had a telly in my room that was it ... Computer and internet accsess?? NO WAY - my sister (shes 12) moaned about havig no internet in her room ... mum basically trold her tough i was VERY relived!

I think some computer/Games con time is fine to "wind down" but i don't think there are that many games you can do that to lol!

I think every parent have a right to be over protective thses days, i mean we have no reason to trust anyone where our children are concerned.

Nobody is either right or wrong, we just parent in different ways and i've learned alot from each and everyone of you ... you all do a fab job!

xxx

Adele and Colby have in their room

t.v, digi box, dvd player and a v-tech smile game.

Adele watches cbeebies in her room and has done since she was a baby and i was amazed by how much she learned by the time she was 3, she was able to have conversations about how astronauts (sp) go into space and tell me all about teh different planets ect.

she never uses the dvd player very often but when she does its a music/ nursery rhym cd she plays on it and dances around the room and colby just giggles at her.

The v-tech smile thing has been learning her how to spell and say the alphabet ect, and she loves playing new games on it.

we cant let her out to play with other kids for 1 i feel shes far to younge, plus we stay in a flat and their isnt really anywhere for her to play thats why she has all this in her room to stop her getting bored of mum learning her how to write or colouring in. i just feel she needs more things to do during the day to keep her ocupied if we cant go to the park or do anything else.

hope all that made sence

Not atall, we all have different opinions its good to hear other peoples views and opinions its what makes the world interesting!

nothing wrong with it. its 2006 not 80's any more.
my brother is 5 and has a xbox 360 he is sooo good on it lol, he plays on superman and aves people and he talks me through every thing he has a brilliant imagination.
still it dont mean he is not out in the garden climbing trees etc. he does he is a lucky kid to have a 360 in my opinion as the kids in his class love coming round after school to play it

Cat I was just thinking the same after the belly piercing hread - I must sound like a right ogre but I am the same as you. OH has loads of consoles but I don't want Seren playing on them for a very long time. I would prefer her to be playing imaginative things such as dress up etc. I used to love doing that when I was a child. Same as a tv - I probably won't say yes to a tv in her room till she is between 8-10 and even then I will be not happy about it lol. I am such a dinosaur too

Yeah Im not the only one!! Ihavent seen a belly piercing thread yet, I take it im in for a further shock!