There are educational games that you can have fun with your children while learning. There’s the active type like Wii, but spending too much time on Video Games could be a problem.

How long do your kids play video games? Gaming consoles have replaced the television and social interaction for some kids. They are more at home in the make-believe world of the video game than with others their own age. How can you as a parent change that for your kids? The lack of social interaction with others can affect your kids.

Growing up is hard for kids even at the best of times. When you hit puberty, you feel like a stranger in your own skin. As an outlet, kids find activities that make them feel less tense. In the world of video games, they can be whoever they want to be. If they make a mistake or take a wrong turn, it can be done over as many times as they need in order to get it right. You die, you hit reset and you start all over.

The real world is not the same. Video games are a fun distraction but are not meant to replace social interaction with peers. The more time that is devoted to video games, the less time there will be to cultivate those social skills that make kids feel awkward with one another in the first place.

Watch the amount of time that your kids spend playing video games. For boys, it seems that playing video games is a way into the “inner sanctum” of camaraderie. They discuss video game graphics, strategies and scores as a way to begin a conversation and get to know each other. To them, video games are the cool thing to do.

To stop them from playing straigh away can be difficult if you never limit them before, but there are ways to do it. Slowly. Place the gaming console in the family room and not in your child’s room. Only allow it to be be accessed at certain times. This way, you can also monitor the types of video games they are playing especially when their friends bring games over.

Kids need more in their lives than video games. Talking about video games can be a conversation starter but so can other subjects like the latest fashions, the opposite sex (they are at that age) and weekend plans.

How do you know if video games are becoming a problem? Does your kid come home and head straight for the video game system? When their friends come over, would they rather play video games than go outside? Do their friends even come over?

Take stock of your child’s behavior. If they are spending too much time in the world of fast cars, monster aliens and dragons, maybe it’s time to get them to mingle with some real people. Everyone even kids need to share their lives with other people who can talk back to them. Limit video game and encourage more social interaction.

Playing video games is not a problem, but too much of it will become a problem.

Playing games is not all that bad. There are even educational games for tots to toddlers. In order for you kids not to get involve in the couch potato cycle, try getting them into active games. Instead of just sitting cross legged in the floor with a controller, suggest a game that gets them moving around a bit more while they play.

One solution is the Nintendo Wii. Nintendo has attempted to resurrect virtual reality play on a large scale (with great success) for the gamer and those who don’t really play video games that much. Just the fact that you can control the movement of the characters in the games with your body is enough to get anyone into the game.

The more popular games on the Wii game system are ones that allow multiple players. Try out Mario vs. Sonic. It is a series of Olympic competitions played with the characters from both video games. You and your kids can choose your character and compete in swimming relays, running races, field events like the long jump and high jump and others. You’ll laugh at the movements you make in order to get your character to win. Most of all, your family will get some exercise without even knowing it.

Playing video games with your kids does two things. First, it lets you bond with them using the game to spend quality time getting to know them. Secondly, you can see what types of games your kids are interested in playing and make sure they are appropriate for their age group.

The Wii gaming system has several video games to choose from. Find on that you both like to play. Be sure to have at least two controllers so that family members can challenge each other.

If your kids won’t go outside and play, bring the action to them with an interactive gaming system such as the Nintendo Wii. Parents must be involved in their children activities. Even playing video games. They say that if you can’t beat them then join them.

Video games do have their redeeming qualities just like television, but it should be control.

Even if you don’t know who is the Incredible Hulk or how to make use the power of the Cybertronian Key, you can make sure that they are not the only thing your kid knows about. Video games are a way for your kids to relax but not the only way. Engage your children in other activities to break the couch potato cycle. Obesity is now an epidemic with our kids. They lack proper daily exercise to keep their weight under control.

Endless video game playing has added to the sedentary lifestyle of today’s youth. Instead of playing outdoors with balls and bats they are inside sitting comfortably on the couch or one of those gaming chairs and signing on for virtual worlds unknown to most parents. It scares you because you no longer understand the world of video gaming (this part, I am excluded).

Video games are mostly played sitting down. That’s how they were designed. Think of it like an office job. Computers were designed to be used sitting down. It’s a necessary evil but it doesn’t have to ruin your health.

One solution is a set schedule for their afternoon. When your kids get home from school, let them know the order of the day. First, they can tackle chores. After energizing them, lead them to the homework table. Read a comic book if there’s no homework or play outside for a while.

What do you know; it’s now time for dinner. After dinner, they have a choice of television or video games. All of the other important things are done so they can relax and unwind with either but not both. This limits their time to one or at most two hours of gaming a day as their last activity before bed. After all of the other stuff you’ve given them to do, they might just fall into bed early.

Break the couch potato cycle with a limit on video games and other creative ideas.

In the beginning, video games were universal. Everyone could play tennis or space invaders. There was nothing sinister there. Can you tell me who is not suitable for Mario Bros?

Currently, as the graphics have gotten more complex, so have the subject of the games themselves. Not all video games are suitable for all ages. Make your kids aware of the video game choices that are right for them. But before that, it’s important for you to know and understand what the ratings mean on the video games your children play. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is an industry organization that has developed a rating system for computer, Internet and video games. ERSB rates games from those appropriate for children to those that are only appropriate for adults. The difference between video games is distinct so it is important for parents to be involved in the process and not let their kids purchase any game that they want.

Think of it as similar to how movies are rated. If a kid goes to a theater and asks for a ticket to see an R-rated movie, he is going to get carded unless he is with an adult. Shopkeepers can do the same. If a kid comes in and tries to buy a game that is not appropriate for his age level, they can ask for identification as proof of age.

If you’ve ever seen a mature game or a game that is rated for adults only, you will know why this system is in place. The rating levels are as follows:

• EC – Early Childhood
• E – Everyone
• E 10+ – Everyone over 10 years of age
• T – Teens
• M – Mature, anyone over 17 years of age
• AO – Adults only
• RP – not yet rated

For the most up to date list of content descriptors and definitions visit the ESRB Web site at: www.esrb.org

Most games fall between the E and the M. the main thing that changes is the violence and the language. In an E-rated game, you’ll see things like in Super Mario Bros. Teen games involve more crashed and fighting like Marvel vs. Street Fighter. There will be blood as well.

Mature games are the ones your kids will try to sneak past you in the house. Here you will hear profanity, possible nudity, sexual references and violent killings. Most of the war games, some fantasy and assassination games fall into this category.

As a parent, you want to limit the poor influences on your children as much as you can. If you have to, offer to play video games with your kids to find out what their friends are bringing over. To keep you out of their room and away from their friends, they will comply with the rules.